GLOSSARY


# | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z


What's a bursar? What's the difference between Canvas and ELMS? What's a UID? What kind of advice does an advisor give?
Every campus has its own lingo. Here's ours:



#


45 Credit Review

Limited Enrollment Program - specific, entry-level coursework that must be completed within the first 45 credits and by earning the minimum grade specified. See also: 45 Credit Review, Benchmark Review and Gateway Review.


4-Year Plan

A “roadmap” created to help ensure that you understand the requirements of your degree, including benchmark or gateway, major, and General Education requirements. The plan is a tentative outline representing how you may fulfill your degree requirements. See also: Academic Plan and Graduation Plan. Link to more information on Four-year plan.



A


Academic Advisor

This person will help you navigate the UMD system. They are a good resource for talking about educational and career goals. There are advisors at the department level and the college level. Some students have mandatory advising every semester.

Your advisor is the person who helps you make decisions about courses you need to take to graduate, refers you to help on campus when you need it, answers your questions about college and explains University policies. Advisors are there to guide you through the curriculum and help you understand how to make good course selections.


Academic Calendar

The academic calendar is a list of important dates for the school year. Here is where you will find drop/add dates, holidays and breaks, withdrawal deadline, reading day, and exam dates.


Academic Dismissal

Students who have not met the terms specified by their academic probation requirements will not be allowed to continue their coursework and will be dismissed from the University.


Academic Integrity

At UMD, the student-administered Honor Code and Honor Pledge prohibit students from cheating on exams, plagiarizing papers, submitting the same paper for credit in two courses without authorization, buying papers, submitting fraudulent documents, and forging signatures.


Academic Plan

A “roadmap” created to help ensure that you understand the requirements of your degree, including benchmark or gateway, major, and General Education requirements. The plan is a tentative outline representing how you may fulfill your degree requirements. See also: 4-Year Plan and Graduation Plan. More information on 4-year plan.


Academic Probation

Students who have a cumulative GPA below 2.0 are placed on academic probation. Full-time students who are on probation and have earned fewer than 60 cumulative credits will be permitted to continue on probation by completing 9 or more credits and achieving a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 each semester of probation. Full-time students who are on probation and have earned 60 cumulative credits or more will be dismissed from the University if their cumulative GPA remains below a 2.0 at the end of their probationary semester. Note: Students placed on academic probation may be denied continued placement as a Limited Enrollment Program major.


Academic Status

This is the status of a student with respect to academic performance. A student may be in "Good Standing" with a cumulative average of 2.0 or higher, on Academic Probation with a cumulative average below a 2.0, or Academic Dismissal after two semesters on probation.


Application Deadline

The date by which your application and all required materials must be submitted in order to be reviewed for admission. Students have different deadlines based on their applicant type and desired semester of admission.


Appointment & Registration Status

On Testudo, this section gives students a time and date of when they can register for classes online.


Attempted Credits

The total number of credits attempted at UMD.


Auditing a Class

Students who wish to be under no obligation for regular attendance, preparation, or examination may register for a course as an auditor. Audited courses do not earn credits or grades and cannot be used to determine full time/part time status.



B


Bachelor’s Degree

This is the degree usually earned by undergraduates at UMD. Requires approximately four years of study and a minimum of 120 credits.


Benchmark Requirements

Non-LEP major-specific, entry-level coursework that must be completed within a set number of semesters and by earning the minimum grade specified. See also: 45 Credit Review and Gateway Review.


Bursar

UMD’s Bursar is the Student Financial Services and Cashiering office. It is in charge of managing financial affairs, which includes billing, collection of tuition and fees, scholarships, and financial aid. It is located in the Lee Building. See also: Student Financial Services and Cashiering.



C


Campus

A physical premise that includes all buildings on campus, such as the library, lecture halls, and parks.


CANVAS/ELMS

This is where your classes will upload any assignments, individual assignment grades, and any material pertinent to the course. Students can email professors and TAs using this system, and this system helps students stay on top of their course assignments and material.


Career Center

The University Career Center & The President’s Promise provides comprehensive career assistance for all students enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park. Designed to support students through each stage of their career development, the Center offers an array of resources, services and programs that empower students to pursue their ambitions and navigate a meaningful career journey.


College

At the University of Maryland, a college is an organizational unit of the institution that specializes in a certain type of education, such as the College of Arts and Humanities or the School of Public Health. Every major is associated with a college. UMD is composed of fourteen schools and colleges.

What’s the difference between a college advisor and a major advisor?

Individual majors at UMD are housed within 12 academic colleges, and each college has its own advising structure. Some have mandatory advising every semester and others do not; ultimately advisors are always happy to work with you at any point during your time at UMD. Please check your individual college to find out whom you need to see for academic advising. Examples: College Advisors: Exceptions to Policy, Probation and Dismissal advising stamps; Department Advisors: registration blocks, internship and research opportunities


Commencement

Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree.


Common App

The Common App is a college application platform. Freshman applicants can use it to apply for admission to UMD.


Completed Application

In addition to the online application, students must also submit other required materials in order for their application to be considered complete and reviewed for admission. Students have different requirements based on their applicant type.


Co-requisite

A course that must be taken at the same time as another course; for example, a Chemistry lab may be a co-requisite to a Chemistry lecture class.


Course Load

The total number of courses/credit hours the student is enrolled in per term.


Course Catalog

This can be found under “Schedule of Classes” on Testudo.umd.edu and lists all of the courses offered at UMD during a particular semester.


Course Section

An offering of a particular course, at a particular time and location, by a particular instructor, during a specific academic term. Some courses will have multiple sections.


Credits

Units for measuring progress towards graduation. These are loosely based on the number of hours the course meets a week (a three credit class meets for about three hours per week). Note: All majors require at least 120 credits to graduate. A student may take a maximum of 17 credits in a semester without having to request permission.


Cumulative Credits

The total number of all applicable college credits earned, including AP/IB/etc. and transfer credits.


Cumulative Exam

This exam will include all of the information you have learned up to exam day. The amount of information will depend on whether it is a midterm exam or a final exam.


CLEP

The College-Level Examination Program provides students with the opportunity to receive undergraduate credit for knowledge and achievements gained through prior learning/ competency-based education. Credit is awarded based on the approval of the relevant department offering the course material, and often requires taking an examination. No more than 30 credits can be from CLEP exams. Credit-by-exam will not be accepted for any part of the final 30 semester hours.



D


Dean

A College Dean is an academic administrator with significant authority in a specific unit or area.


Degree Audit

A list of all major requirements that notes which requirements students have completed and which are outstanding. This is a tool students and advisor use to keep track of a student’s academic programs in a major/minor. UMD uses a system called u.Achieve. Students can run a degree audit for any major by visiting uachieve.umd.edu.


Directory ID

User name for UMD systems. It is typically your first initial, last name (or patricidal last name), and a number. This is also your university email address.


Discussion Section

A required, small group supplement class, designed to enhance many large lecture courses. Discussions provide students with an opportunity to ask questions and further explore topics from the lecture.


Double Major

Students with a double major are planning to earn two Bachelor’s degrees of the same type, such as a BS in Biology and a BS in Psychology. This differs from a dual degree (below).


Double Degree

Students earning a dual degree are earning two Bachelor’s degrees of different types, for example a BS in Psychology and an AB in Spanish. They must complete the requirements for both degrees. See also Dual Degree.


Drop-Add

Use the drop/add link when adding or removing a course. The last day to drop a class without a W or add a course without permission is during the first 10 days of classes.


Drop Period

The Drop Period begins the close of the Schedule Adjustment Period and terminates at the end of the tenth week of classes during the Fall and Spring semesters and at a corresponding time for Summer and Winter sessions. Students who drop a course after schedule adjustment will receive a mark of “W” on their transcript.


Dual Degree

Students earning a dual degree are earning two Bachelor’s degrees of different types, for example a BS in Psychology and an BA in Spanish. They must complete the requirements for both degrees. See also Double Degree.


Duplicate Credit

Two courses that have similar content do not receive separate credit. This can be from AP/IB courses, courses taken at a previous institution, or two similar courses here at UMD. Note: Students cannot receive duplicate credit. Please refer to your transcript before registering for courses if you have credit for any coursework completed prior to arriving at the University.



E


Early Action, Non-Binding Deadline

Students should apply by this deadline to receive priority consideration for admission, merit scholarships and special programs. The early action deadline is non-binding, which means after being granted admission, a student is not obligated to enroll at UMD.


Early Registration

The registration period during which students register for the next term’s courses. Registration dates are determined by cumulative credits, with students who have the most credits registering before students who have the least.


Earned Credits

The total number of credits earned at UMD.


Electives

These are courses that are not required for your major but can be used to reach the minimum of 120 credits needed to graduate. They can also be used to fulfill graduate school requirements and prerequisites.


Enrollment Confirmation

When an admitted student formally commits to attending UMD.


Entrance Counseling

Entrance Counseling explains the obligations you agree to meet as a condition of borrowing a Direct Loan. Topics include: Understand Your Loans, Manage Your Spending, Plan to Repay, Avoid Default, and Make Finances a Priority.


Extracurricular activities

Activities outside the scope of academics, but often campus-oriented such as clubs, intramural sports, and faith based-organizations. UMD has more than 800 student organizations that offer extracurricular activities.



F


FAFSA

This acronym stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is a U.S. federal government online form which you must fill out each year to apply for financial aid from the federal government. The Office of Student Financial Aid at UMD can help you with this process.

Do I need to fill out the FAFSA each year?
Yes. For each year you want to receive financial aid from the federal government to pay for college you must complete the FAFSA.

When should I fill out the FAFSA?
The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st of each year. In order to receive the highest amount of aid, you should submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible but no later than UMD’s January 1 priority deadline.. This is because most colleges award some kinds of aid on a first-come, first-served basis.


Federal Work-Study

A federal financial aid program that provides jobs for students in financial need to help pay for their expenses. FWS funds are part of a student’s financial aid package and the jobs are usually on campus.


FERPA

This acronym stands for Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA affords students the right to inspect and review their education records, request the correction of inaccurate or misleading records, consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their education record, and file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if the institution does not comply with this law. It is important to note that student records are protected from parents, family members and outside parties unless the student signs a waiver giving explicit permission for the records to be revealed to a particular party.

Can my parents/guardians view my education records if I am 17?
When a student turns 18 years old, or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student. (See: studentprivacy.ed.gov )
Students may sign a FERPA waiver with their advisor to give permission for their records to be shared with their parents.


Final Transcript

After graduating high school (or for transfer students, completing the most recent semester), admitted students need to request a final transcript be sent to UMD. This will show all final grades for classes that may have been in progress during the time of application and admission.


Financial Aid

This refers to money you may receive to help pay for college or career school and can be received in the form of federal loans, private loans, university-sponsored scholarships, private scholarship, federal-work study, grants, graduate assistantships or fellowships. Types of financial aid can be classified as either need-based, meaning you and your family are not able to cover educational expenses, or non-need-based, which generally refers to aid you receive based on merit or qualification.


Financial Aid Offer

After you have completed your FAFSA and any additional aid applications, the Office of Student Financial Aid will review this information to determine how much financial aid you will be offered. You will be notified via email when your financial aid offer is available to view within your Financial Aid Portal which is where you will find details on the type(s) of aid you have been offered.


Financial Aid Office

The Office of Student Financial Aid staff is dedicated to providing you with the necessary tools and information needed to fund your education.


First-Generation Student

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree. This means that you are the first person in your family to attend a four-year college/university to attain a bachelor's degree.


Fraternities / Sororities / Greek Life

Fraternities and sororities, or Greek-letter organizations (GLOs), also collectively referred to as "Greek life", are social organizations at colleges and universities. Fraternities are historically for men or co-ed. Sororities are historically for women.


Freshmen Connection

Freshman students who are admitted for the spring semester are invited to participate in Freshmen Connection, an optional program which allows students to enroll in fall semester courses and live on-campus during the fall semester.


Full-time Student

These are students who are taking at least 12 credits in the fall or spring semester.



G


Gateway Requirements/Review

Each Limited Enrollment Program has a specific set of gateway requirements you must satisfy in order to be reviewed for admission to that program. The requirements include completing entry-level coursework within the first 45 credits and earning the minimum grade specified. See also: 45-Credit Review and Benchmark Review.


General Education (Gen Ed)

This refers to the set of bachelor’s degree requirements that began in Fall 2012. Students admitted to and enrolled at UMD after this time follow Gen Ed program requirements. Gen Ed courses will constitute approximately 40-46 credits toward your degree, and may also fulfill major requirements. More information on Gen Ed.


GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, is a multiple-choice standardized exam that is often required for admission to graduate business programs (MBA) globally.


GPA

Computed by dividing the total number of quality points accumulated in courses by the total number of credits attempted in those courses. Each letter grade has a numerical value: A+/A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D- = .7 F = 0. Multiplying this value by the number of credits for a particular course gives the number of quality points earned for that course.


Graduation

Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on the official transcript.


Graduation Plan

A “roadmap” created to help ensure that you understand the requirements of your degree, including benchmark or gateway, major, and General Education requirements. The plan is a tentative outline representing how you may fulfill your degree requirements. See also: 4-Year Plan and Academic Plan. Link to more information on 4-year plan


Grant

Financial assistance that does not have to be paid back, for instance the Pell Grant. See Pell Grant below.


GRE

The Graduate Record Examinations is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada.


Guided Study Sessions (GSS)

A student is hired to lead these study sessions, giving students an opportunity to reinforce what they are learning in the course. The GSS leader can explain concepts and answer any questions you might have.



H


Hold-File

A roster of students who wish to register for a course, but do not meet the departmental restrictions. Students on the waitlist receive priority consideration over those on the hold-file because waitlisted students meet the department requirements of the course. Students on a hold-file will not be considered for placement into the course until the first day of classes. Like a waitlist, students on the hold-file must check-in on the first day of classes, and then daily, to remain on a hold-file. If space is available, the students will be moved into the class when they check-in. If no space is available, the hold-file will be placed on the end of the waitlist.


Holistic Review

When reviewing applications, UMD considers the whole picture: assessing not only academic merit, but also the applicants’ achievements and potential in the context of opportunities and challenges they faced. From this process, the Admission Committee builds an entering class that will best complement the existing student body and meet the university’s mission objectives.


Housing (On and Off campus housing)

A student who lives in a dorm on campus is considered to live on campus. A student who does not live in a dorm on campus is considered to live off campus.


Humanities

These are courses within the academic disciplines that study human culture.



I


Independent Study

These allow undergraduates to pursue an individualized course of study. Generally, a student interested in completing an independent study contacts a faculty member who is working in (or is knowledgeable about) a particular field in which a student has developed an interest. There is an application process required as well so that the student can receive credit for the course.


In residence

Classes taken in residence refer to classes taught and taken in a UMD program or campus. These may include classes taken in Study Abroad if they are part of a UMD program. UMD requires 30 credits taken in residence. Normally these 30 credits will be the final 30 credits counted toward the degree.


International Baccalaureate

The attainment of an IB diploma will qualify a student to receive a certain amount of college credit, independent of the scores on the individual subject-level tests.



J


K


L


Letters & Sciences

This academic advising office provides undergraduate students with assistance in choosing a major or working toward admission to a Limited Enrollment Program (LEP). Students may be assigned to Letters & Sciences upon admission even if they listed an LEP as their intended major.


Limited Enrollment Program (LEP)

Certain majors are very popular and require a limit on the number of students they can accommodate and are designated Limited Enrollment Programs. Students wishing to join a LEP major must successfully complete a specific set of courses, or "gateway" requirements by the semester in which they earn 45 credits. All students may apply for Limited Enrollment Programs. More information on LEP.


Living-Learning Programs

Freshman students who apply by the early action deadline will be automatically considered for invitation to UMD's Living-Learning Programs, commonly referred to as LLPs, which are designed to bring students with similar interests together through taking courses together and living together in a residence hall.


Lower-Level Courses

Courses at the 100- or 200- level, typically viewed as freshman- and sophomore-level coursework.


LSAT

Entrance exam used by many law schools. More information: www.lsac.org/lsat



M


Major

A major is a student’s chosen field of study. To earn a degree, the student will have to complete all the requirements of the major.


Major Blind Review

When initially reviewing applications, UMD does not take into consideration a student's intended major.


Major Card

A major-specific listing of degree requirements which enumerates: benchmarks/ gateways, major, and General Education requirements. Also lists contact information for the college and department advising offices.


Major Elective/Major Options

These courses are required for your major; however students have a choice in which major elective/ option they wish to take. Each major has a list of major electives/options students can select from.


Major Requirements

Courses required by, and unique to, your declared major. All students must complete both major and Gen Ed requirements as part of completing their degree. Depending upon your declared major, a number of courses required for your major may overlap with your Gen Ed requirements.


Master Promissory Note

A signed document containing a written promise to pay a stated sum to a specified person or the bearer at a specified date or on demand. When you accept federal loans from UMD for the first time, you will be required to complete a Master Promissory Note. More information on the financial aid process.


MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is a standardized, multiple-choice, computer-based test that is a part of the medical school admissions process. More information: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/


Merit Scholarships

Students who apply by UMD’s early action deadlines are automatically considered for merit scholarships which are not based on financial need. No additional application is required.


Minor

A minor is a secondary field of study that requires fewer hours. Students do not earn a degree in their minor, but it is noted on their transcript.



N


O


Office Hours

The time set aside by professors and instructors to meet with their students and answer questions. Office hours are usually at a set time every week. You can usually find a professor’s office hours on their syllabus.

How can I meet with my professor to ask questions or get help?
You may email your professor using your university email to set-up a date and time to meet with your professor

Will my professor have office hours for a virtual class?
Yes, your professor should have office hours for a virtual class, please refer to your course syllabus for the set times and days.


Office of the Registrar

The campus office responsible for registration and the maintenance of student records, located in the Mitchell Building.


Official Copy

Transcripts and test scores that must be submitted directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the test administrator or institution to ensure authenticity.


Orientation

A required program that introduces newly admitted students to the University of Maryland and its academics, customs, traditions, and opportunities. The most important part of orientation is your meeting with your advisor, when you will learn about your degree program and decide on the courses you will take in your first semester.



P


Part-time Student

This is a student taking less than 12 credit hours in the fall or spring semester.


Pass-Fail

Under the pass-fail option, a course that is completed with a passing grade will count toward the student’s total credit hours, but will not be computed in the grade point average. A course that is completed with a failing grade will appear on the student’s record and will be computed both in the overall average and in the semester average.


Pell Grant

A Federal financial aid grant that does not have to be paid back as long as the student was and remains eligible for it. Pell grants are designed for low-income students.


Placement Tests

Tests used by the institution to gauge a student’s level of proficiency in a subject area in order to place them in the next level of coursework.

How do I know if I need to take a placement test for a certain subject?
Certain departments, particularly Mathematics and Physics, have separate criteria for placement in courses and the assignment of credit. Students should check with those departments for additional information. All entering freshmen will be placed in math courses according to the University of Maryland math placement exam.


Plagiarism

The act of using someone else’s work, ideas, thoughts or language, and representing it as your own by failing to give credit to the original author. Plagiarism is academically dishonest and a violation of the Student Honor Code that may result in penalties such as a failing grade on the test or in the course.


Pre-Professional Programs

UMD's pre-professional programs are considered advising programs, not undergraduate majors, and they prepare students for graduate studies in pre-law, pre-veterinary medicine and several health-related fields.


Pre-Transfer Advising

Available for prospective transfer students, pre-transfer advising assists students with academic planning, estimating time to UMD graduation and determining how previous coursework may apply at UMD.


Prerequisite

A course which a student must complete in order to take a more advanced course. Note: The registration system may not prevent you from registering for a course that has a prerequisite. It is your responsibility to check the Undergraduate Catalog or Schedule of Classes to determine possible prerequisites for any given course. If you register for a course without having the proper prerequisites, you risk being administratively dropped from the course by the department and/or college.


Professor

A title awarded to teachers who have achieved high academic ranking in a specific discipline due to their research and scholarship. If you are in doubt as to whether your instructor is a professor, it is best to use the title.


Provost

This is the chief academic officer of the University. The Provost’s Office has budgetary responsibility for campus academic programs and resources and oversees the development, review, and implementation of all academic policies and regulations. It is located in the Thomas V. Miller Jr. Administration Building.



Q


R


Reenrollment

The process by which certain former students return to the University. This can be a student who withdrew, took a leave of absence or was academically dismissed.


Registration

Registration is the process of choosing courses and creating a class schedule for the next semester using Testudo. Your registration appointment depends on the number of credit hours you have accumulated, with priority given to students who are farther along in their degree program. Advisors do not register students for classes.


Registration Appointment

An assigned date and time for registration based on cumulative credits. Your registration appointment is set by the Office of the Registrar and can be checked on TESTUDO. Note: Students will register online using the add/drop system via TESTUDO.


Registration Block

Holds placed on a student’s record to prevent them from being able to register at their specified registration appointment time. Blocks may include, but are not limited to, Proof of Vaccination, Financial, Fundamental English or Math, and Mandatory Advising (Department, College, or Both). Note: The only way blocks may be removed is by you taking action to remove them. To do so, you must contact the offices that implemented the blocks. Be sure to check your registration status in enough time to remove any blocks that may exist before your registration appointment.


Research 1 University (R1)

A category of universities labeled by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions to designate a high level of research activity by university faculty and a high number of Master’s and Doctorate degrees conferred. UMD is an R1 institution.


Residence Life

Part of the college experience is living in residence halls and forging friendships on campus. The Department of Resident Life manages UMD residence halls and organizes community events for students.


Resident Assistant (RA)

Undergraduate or graduate student staff members who live in the residence halls. RAs often receive free housing and a meal plan in exchange for their work in the halls.


Resident Classification

For tuition purposes, students must be classified as either in-state or out-of-state. This determination is made based on information provided in the application.



S


Schedule Adjustment Period

The period when students can make changes to their schedules. During this period, students can add or drop a class without a withdrawal notation (“W”) appearing on their transcript. If a student enrolls in 12 or more credits at any time during the Fall/Spring Schedule Adjustment Period, they will be billed as a full-time student. The Schedule Adjustment Period is the first ten business days of classes during the Fall or Spring semester. A similar time period is designated for Summer, Winter and 12-week terms and any course that does not meet the standard term dates. Check the corresponding academic deadlines or course deadlines for exact dates.


Schedule of Classes

A listing of courses, published each term by the Office of the Registrar, located online through Testudo. The Schedule of Classes includes course descriptions and prerequisites, days and times of course offerings, and course locations. PDF versions of the Schedule of Classes can be found on the Registrar’s Office’s website; these versions also include University policies, ranging from Gen Ed to graduation.


Semester

The period of time or term that the student takes a group of courses. UMD offers two semesters: Fall and Spring. UMD also offers a Winter Session and Summer Sessions.


Senior Audit

An official academic audit is a way to provide important information to students about their academic progress. This can be completed with an advisor once a student obtains 75 credits. This helps to ensure that students are on track for graduation.


Session

The period of time or term that the student takes a group of courses. UMD offers two sessions: Winter and Summer.


Sorority

See also: Fraternities / Sororities / Greek Life


Space-available basis

If a completed application is submitted after the deadline, it will only be reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions if there is space available within the incoming class to accommodate additional students. The number of students admitted is, in part, determined by how many seats are available on campus.


Special programs

Applying by the early action deadline gives students priority consideration for special programs such as living-learning programs, research programs and other programs across campus.


Student Life

This refers to the variety of activities students can participate in on UMD’s campus (800+ student organizations, athletics and more) and the services dedicated to making a student’s campus experience enjoyable (dining services, transportation and parking, resident life, safety and security).


Study Abroad

An opportunity to pursue academic studies in a foreign country for a semester or a year. The UMD Education Abroad office can help you find a program that fits your interests.


Summer Session/Term

Students can take course(s) throughout the summer. Courses can be full summer, 6 weeks or 3 weeks in length. Students are limited to 4 credits in a 3-week term or 8 credits in a 6-week summer term.


Syllabus

An outline of the professor’s plans for the course that includes assignments, exam dates and projects. The syllabus also includes the learning objectives for the course and class policies like attendance. It is very important to read the syllabus carefully.



T


Teaching Assistant (TA)

A teaching assistant is generally a graduate student who assists a professor in teaching a class. A TA may run discussion sections, labs or other breakout sessions for a professor and may assist in grading exams and homework and keeping records.


TESTUDO

This is the online website where students can manage many important aspects of their time in college. Some of these include account balance, unofficial transcript, current schedule, schedule of classes, drop-add, waitlist check-in and more.


Transcript

A copy of a student’s permanent academic record. The unofficial version can be accessed on Testudo and the official version can be accessed through the Office of the Registrar.



U


Undecided

Students who are still in the process of choosing a major are considered “undecided”.


Undeclared

Students who are seeking admission into the Limited Enrollment Program of their choice are considered “undeclared”. These students know what major they want to pursue but have not had their major formally changed.


Upper-Level Courses

Courses at the 300- or 400-level, typically viewed as junior- and senior-level coursework.


UID

Each student’s unique nine-digit University identification. This number can be found on your University ID card.


Undergraduate Catalog

A comprehensive official record of academic policies and procedures, course descriptions, major and minor requirements, and academic department information.



V


Verification Forms

The college financial aid administrator will ask the applicant to supply copies of documentation, such as income tax returns, W-2 statements and 1099 forms, to verify the data that was submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid administrators have the right to ask for any documentation they feel is necessary to complete verification. If the family refuses to supply this documentation, the college is prohibited from disbursing federal student aid to the student.



W


Waitlist

A virtual waiting line that students may have the option to use if a course section is full. Students on a waitlist must check-in on the first day of classes, and then daily, to remain on a waitlist. Note: The waitlist option may not be available for every course.


Waitlist Check-In

If you are put on the waitlist, you have to go to Testudo and check-in on the first day of classes. This will keep you in the waitlist, but if you do not check-in you will lose your post on the list.


Winter Session/Term

Students can take course(s) throughout winter break. These courses last three weeks and students can take a maximum of 4 credits. Not all courses are offered in the winter.


Withdrawal (from the University)

A withdrawal is available anytime between the first and last day of classes. Students must submit written notice of withdrawal to the Office of the Registrar no later than the last day of classes. In exceptional cases, a retroactive withdrawal may be granted based on documented requests in which extenuating circumstances significantly impaired the student's ability to complete the semester and officially withdraw by the established semester deadlines. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, medical or psychological causes.



X


Y


Z





Freshman

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Sophomore

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Junior

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Senior

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