Health Requirement

All newly admitted students must complete UMD’s Medical History and Immunization Record Form. Students in fully online programs are exempt from this requirement. Failure to submit the completed health form to the University Health Center before the first day of your first semester at UMD results in a registration block on your student record, preventing you from registering for the upcoming semester. Questions regarding UMD’s immunization policy or the immunization form may be directed to the University Heath Center at 301-314-8182.

The Graduate School Policies

Continuous Registration Policy: Depending on the calendar of the graduate program into which a student has been admitted, graduate students must register for courses each semester (fall/spring) or each term (I, II, III, and IV) until the degree is awarded. If the student does not register, they will be dismissed from the Graduate School at the end of the semester/term for failure to comply with this requirement. See The Graduate School’s Continuous Registration Policy and Petition for Waiver of Continuous Registration Form.

Leave of Absence: The University permits graduate students to apply for a leave of absence relating to childbearing, adoption, illness, or dependent care. See the Graduate School’s Leave of Absence Policy and Request for Leave of Absence Form.

Transfer Credit: The Graduate School has strict rules and timelines on acceptance of transfer credit. See Transfer of Credit.

Academic Probation and Dismissal: The Graduate School monitors a student’s grade point average each semester or term. A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation by the Graduate School.  When a student is placed on probation, the Graduate School will notify both the student and the Graduate Director of the student's program. Permission of the academic advisor and the Graduate Director will be required for a student on probation to register for courses. For complete information, see the Graduate School’s Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy.

F-1 students follow the same university policies regarding probation and dismissal. If an F-1 student is dismissed from the University and can no longer enroll full time in program requirements, that student can no longer remain on UMD F1/J1 immigration sponsorship. Students facing this possible outcome are encouraged to work with the University’s International Student & Scholar Services to discuss possible immigration options.

International Students: Students with F-1 or J-1 visas must be enrolled full-time every term (semester or 12-week) at the University while they remain in the United States.

Students with questions on enrollment, status, leave of absence, extensions on their I-20/DS2019, OPT, etc., work with the University’s International Student & Scholar Services.

Other Graduate School Policies: For other important policies, see The Graduate School Policies.

Cancellation, Drop, Withdrawal

Cancellation of Courses by University of Maryland: The University reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient enrollment or for other reasons that it deems valid. Appropriate refunds will be made. Because cancellation of a course may occur so close to the beginning of class, there is not always time to send notification. Whenever possible, notification will be made via e-mail or by phone, so please keep your e-mail and address current.

Cancellation of Registration by Student: Cancellation of registration means that the student cancels their enrollment in all courses prior to the first day of classes for a semester/term. Students who cancel registration prior to the first day of classes receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees. Failure to attend class does not result in automatic cancellation nor is a student relieved of any academic and/or financial obligation. Courses dropped prior to the first day of classes will not appear on the student record, nor count towards the number of attempts a student has for any given course. Students process the cancellation of registration prior to the first day of classes via Testudo (See Registration (Drop/Add).

Schedule Adjustment: Begins on the first day of classes and terminates at various points depending of the semester/term length. Once the schedule adjustment period has ended, courses may not be added without special permission (in writing) by the student’s academic college. In addition, requests for withdrawals, single course drop with ‘W,’ and other changes that occur between the end of schedule adjustment and the last day of a specific semester/term of enrollment must be received in writing (via e-mail or fax) with the student name and UID number.

Single Course Drop: Once the semester/term starts, dropping a single course means that you are registered for two or more courses within a single specific semester or term. Once you drop the single course before the end of scheduled adjustment, you must remain registered for at least one course within that semester/term. A single course drop during the schedule adjustment period will not appear on the student record, nor will it count towards the number of attempts a student has for any given course. A full credit is not available for courses dropped on or after the first day of classes. Students may process single course drops via Testudo (See Registration (Drop/Add).

Single Course Drop with ‘W’: Means that you are dropping a single course for a specific semester/term after the schedule adjustment period ends, remaining registered for at least one course in that session. The drop period begins at the close of the schedule adjustment period and terminates at various points depending on the semester/term length. Students must submit a written request to oes@umd.edu.

Withdrawal: Means that you are terminating registration for all courses within a specific semester/term (even if registered for just one course) between the first day and the posted deadline of the semester/term in which you are registered. A notation of withdrawn from semester/term and the effective date will post to your student record. Students must submit a written request to oes@umd.edu.

Appeals: Exception to Academic Policy

Submit the Appeal Form.

Exception to Academic Policy requests due to extenuating circumstances relating to your registration require a formal written appeal. If you experience an issue in submitting the appeal or have a question, contact oes@umd.edu.

Deadline for Appeal Submission:

• Semester-based Graduate Programs. Fall Semester: January 15; Spring Semester: June 15; Summer Term: September 15.
• Term-based Graduate Programs. Term I: December 15; Term II: March 15; Term III: June 15; Term IV: September 15.

Required Supporting Documentation: An appeal will not be considered until documentation supporting the claims made in the appeal is received. Such documentation may include but is not limited to:

• Medical: Verification of the severity of the condition that includes a statement on how the condition affected your ability to perform coursework. Documentation from medical or hospital personnel must be typed and signed on official letterhead. E-mails or unsigned letters on a plain stationary are not acceptable.
• Death in the Family: Copy of death certificate (or verification of death from hospital or attending physician, typed and signed on official letterhead) with a statement of the deceased's relation to the student. E-mails or unsigned letters on plain stationary are not acceptable.
• Course Instructor or Academic Advisor: May submit a statement of support on department letterhead or, if via e-mail, from the instructor/academic advisor’s campus e-mail. (See Contact Information, below.) The statement must include your student name, UID, course information, date of registration, and an explanation of why the course instructor or academic advisor supports your appeal.
• Approved Appeal from College/Department: Some Colleges/Departments require that you appeal to them first for requests that have academic ramifications such as late/retroactive changes to your student record. In order for us to process your request we must also receive a copy of your College/Department approved appeal.

How to Attach Documentation: The above documentation may be uploaded to the Appeal Form BUT only as one file. If you have more than one document, either combine all documents into one file or e-mail oes@umd.edu with the additional documentation.

• Complete all other sections of the appeal form.
• File Title: Provide a name for your document (the documentation will not attach without a title). ex. Appeal Documentation
• File Path: Select the Choose File button and locate where your document is stored

Timeline: The average review time is two weeks from the date that the appeal and all documentation are received. Confirmation of the decision is sent to the e-mail address listed on the appeal form.

Enrollment Verification

Students are sometimes required to provide semester enrollment verifications to health insurers or others that require proof of enrollment. Request Enrollment Verification.

Update Your Student Contact Information

UMD uses the e-mail on your student record for all correspondences regarding your registration. UMD assumes no responsibility for the delivery of these electronic messages. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain current contact information. To update your contact information visit, Testudo and select Change Address/E-mail.