Before going to a new school, it’s important to know as many things as you can about the school. Other than the well-diversified student body and the extensive degree programs, there are other amazing things about the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC).
These facts make the school even more appealing and interesting and I hope you enjoy them.
We will be mentioning ten things you should know about the University of Maryland’s global campus and much more.
Table of contents
- History of the University of Maryland Global Campus
- About the University of Maryland Global Campus
- Is the University of Maryland Global Campus the Same Thing as the University of Maryland?
- Is the University of Maryland Global Campus a Good School?
- Things You Should Know About the University of Maryland Global Campus
- #1. University of Maryland Global Campus Has an Impressing Global Reach
- #2. The Leader in Online Education
- #3. University of Maryland Global Campus Giving Back to the Community
- #4. It is a Minority-Friendly University
- #5. The University of Maryland Global Campus Provides Education for Working Adult
- #6. History of Educating the Military
- #7. The University of Maryland Global Campus Organizes Art Collections and Exhibitions
- #8. UMGC Promotes Diversity
- #9. UMGC Has and Operates A UMGC-TV
- #10. UMGC Offers Mediation for Dispute Resolution
- Conclusion
History of the University of Maryland Global Campus
UMGC was founded in 1947 as the College of Special and Continuation Studies, a branch of the University of Maryland’s College of Education, with locations in College Park and around the state. Beginning in 1949, UMGC was the first university to send faculty overseas to educate active-duty military personnel in Europe.
In the early 1950s, UMGC was also asked to provide the Department of Defense with guaranteed education in Asia and to operate evening and weekend classes for the University of Maryland.
By 1959, the University of Maryland’s Board of Regents changed the college’s name to University College. It is a British term for an institution that takes courses and programs from all academic departments and offers them outside of the university’s walls and normal class times.
In the mid-1990s, the university offered its first online courses and quickly grew into one of the largest public providers of online education in the nation. It offers more than 680 distinct courses online and recorded more than 175,000 individual online course enrollments in 2007.
By 2024, they changed their name to the University of Maryland Global Campus to better reflect their global presence.
And the ongoing mission of serving the education needs of working adults and military students around the world.
UMGC now serves more than 80,000 students worldwide and boasts 20+ locations in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia and an on-site presence in 170+ worldwide locations—including military bases in more than 20 countries and territories.
With headquarters in Adelphi, Maryland, and administrative offices in Asia and Europe, UMGC offers more than 90 degrees, specializations, and certificates, most available entirely online and taught by faculty members who bring real-world experience to online and on-site classrooms.
About the University of Maryland Global Campus
At the University of Maryland Global Campus, they believe their students come first. They design their programs understanding that their students try to balance work and family life with education as nearly half of UMGC students are parents, and more than 80 percent of UMGC students work full- or part-time.
The school understands that pursuing any degree program will be an investment both in your time and your finances. That’s why UMGC strives to make earning a degree as convenient, affordable, and flexible as possible.
The student body is diversified, with 28 percent of African American students. Minority students constitute 53 percent of total enrollment. And they earned 52 percent of all UMGC degrees and certificates awarded in FY 2024.
At UMGC, they specialize in helping their students gain knowledge that can increase professional value, giving them the confidence they need to move their careers forward.
And as one of the largest public universities in the country, they have an expansive network of accomplished alumni.
The mission of the University of Maryland Global Campus is to improve the lives of adult learners. They achieve this by operating as Maryland’s open university, serving working adults, military servicemen and servicewomen, and their families.
And veterans who reside in Maryland, across the United States, and around the world.
The school also provides its students with affordable, open access to valued, quality higher education.
Is the University of Maryland Global Campus the Same Thing as the University of Maryland?
In April, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed legislation approving the change of name. And on the 1st of July, 2024, the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) officially changed its name to the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). However, it remains the same school with a new name.
The university’s name change does not affect its status as a respected state university and member of the University System of Maryland.
According to UMGC President Javier Miyares, “The name University of Maryland Global Campus affirms both our roots as a respected public institution in the state of Maryland and our global footprint.”
They adopted the new name to better communicate their commitment to bringing higher education to working adults no matter where life takes them.
At the bill signing in April, Gov. Hogan had this to say:
“From its founding in 1947, UMUC has been a leader and pioneer in adult higher education and a particular source of pride to Marylanders for its history of service to the U.S. military around the world.
This new name reflects the institution’s established standing as a global leader in adult higher education, its impact as an innovator and early adopter of online education, and its focus on helping Maryland build its highly skilled workforce through affordable, accessible, and career-relevant academic programs.”
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Is the University of Maryland Global Campus a Good School?
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 70 years ago to serve the higher education needs of working adults, service members, and regular students alike.
Going to school is an important decision and at UMGC, they promise to respect your time. Here are some reasons why we think the school is good:
- UMGC is a member of the University System of Maryland, and it has a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. It offers online courses that you can access anywhere and more than 170 classroom and service locations. It is indeed a state university with a global campus, as the name suggests.
- The 90+ degrees, certificates, and specializations aim to equip students with real-world skills. The courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs are taught by professors who’ve been there.
- The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a thorough online learning experience. UMGC courses are designed from the ground up to be collaborative online learning experiences that prepare you for today’s digital business environment. Plus, they have replaced nearly every textbook with no-cost digital course materials. This is to allow you to study from anywhere and to help keep your education costs down. UMGC has been ranked among online colleges with the best bachelor’s degrees for ROI by OnlineU.
- Your accomplishments and experience matter more to UMGC than your test scores. Their streamlined admissions process doesn’t require the SAT or GRE. And they offer multiple start dates throughout the year, so you can get started whenever you’re ready.
- Serving the military is in UMGC’s DNA. They know the ins and outs of Tuition Assistance and veterans’ benefits. However, their commitment to you is so much more than that. University of Maryland Global Campus has been serving the armed forces since 1947.
Things You Should Know About the University of Maryland Global Campus
Other than the inspiring history and the abundant perks of being a student at the University of Maryland Global Campus, there are other amazing things you should know about this prestigious institution.
#1. University of Maryland Global Campus Has an Impressing Global Reach
In FY 2018, UMGC enrolled more students worldwide than any other four-year, degree-granting public university in the United States.
This was calculated by comparing UMGC FY 2018 worldwide unduplicated headcount number with headcounts of all other public four-year degree-granting institutions, as stated by Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Consequently, the number of students has increased by more than 10 percent over the last ten years, from 51,013 in fall 2009 to 58,281 in fall 2024.
Also, in FY 2024, UMGC’s overseas divisions offered on-site classes in more than 20 countries and territories throughout the world. Consequently, they enrolled more than 25,000 individual students in undergraduate and graduate programs in Asia and Europe.
#2. The Leader in Online Education
UMGC had more than 294,000 international online course enrollments in FY 2024. Currently, UMGC offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and specializations, most of which you can complete entirely online.
In FY 2024, UMGC offered 869 distinct courses online. And, in March 2024, for the second year straight, UMGC’s Cybersecurity Technology graduate program won the Professional Award for Best Cybersecurity Program in Higher Education by SC Magazine.
In the prestigious IBM Watson Analytics Global Competition, held in 2018 in Shanghai, China, UMGC won both first and third place. The rigorous Watson Analytics Global competition is an annual face-off that showcases innovative big-data projects executed on IBM’s Watson Analytics platform.
Also, in March 2018, three UMGC administrators won the Parchment Awards of Excellence for the work they did to reinvent the college transcript. And to provide service for students seeking to transfer into the university.
#3. University of Maryland Global Campus Giving Back to the Community
UMGC has an alliance with all 16 Maryland community colleges that include more than 300 program articulations. Thus, making them the largest recipients of Maryland community college transfer students among other USM institutions.
Maryland residents represented 41 percent of UMGC’s fall 2024 enrolled students.
In FY 2024, UMGC offered on-site instruction at more than 20 locations in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia; and served more than 35,000 Marylanders.
#4. It is a Minority-Friendly University
UMGC enrolls more African American students than any of the four Maryland historically black colleges and universities. In fall 2024, 29 percent of UMGC’s students were African American; and minority students constituted about 52 percent of the total enrollment.
In FY 2024, 29 percent of UMGC students who took at least one online class were African American. And 36 percent of the master’s degrees UMGC conferred were awarded to African American students. African American students received 29 percent of all degrees and certificates.
#5. The University of Maryland Global Campus Provides Education for Working Adult
The university takes into consideration the fact that approximately 74 percent of undergraduate students of UMGC’s programs were working full-time.
So, they structure their programs to accommodate 31 percent of the students who are employed and have children.
The average age for students enrolled in UMGC’s undergraduate programs was 31. This indicates that UMGC does provide education to working adults.
#6. History of Educating the Military
The university has always hearkened to the call of the military and has contributed their quota in providing them with education.
In 1949, UMGC answered the U.S. Department of Defense calls to teach American troops stationed in post-WWII Europe; in 1956, in Asia; in 2005, in the Middle East.
Also, UMGC faculty have taught in war zones, including Vietnam, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. And they operate on U.S. military installations in 20+ countries under three contracts: Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
In FY 2024, UMGC enrolled over 57,000 active-duty militaries, reservists, dependent, and veteran students. However, UMGC currently offers courses and/or services at more than 170 worldwide locations.
Consequently, UMGC was named the top public university in the Military Times 2024 “Best for Vets” ranking of online and nontraditional universities. This marks the sixth consecutive year UMGC has been ranked among the top 10 universities in this category.
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#7. The University of Maryland Global Campus Organizes Art Collections and Exhibitions
University of Maryland Global Campus has cultivated and grown its permanent art collections since 1978. This includes one of the largest compilations of works by Maryland artists in the state.
Other collections feature works by international artists and centuries of Asian art, including Chinese ceramics, traditional scrolls, and contemporary Japanese prints.
You can view UMGC’s art collections in the UMGC Arts Program Gallery at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Portions of the collections are also on display at UMGC’s headquarters in Adelphi and the Academic Center at Largo.
#8. UMGC Promotes Diversity
At the University of Maryland Global Campus, they seek to reflect the diversity of the global community. They recognize, value, and consider cultural differences essential to the education process and working environment.
They promote understanding and mutual respect of all members of the community and provide you with an academic and social environment that encourages new ideas, an eagerness to learn, and positive working conditions.
UMGC offers many opportunities to experience and enjoy its rich heritage and diverse community, including our heritage month programs. It’s one more way they honor their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
#9. UMGC Has and Operates A UMGC-TV
UMGC-TV is the educational television programming service of the University of Maryland Global Campus for students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
The cable channel reaches approximately 400,000 households in Maryland’s DC metropolitan area on Channel 18 in Montgomery County and Channel 73 in Prince George’s County.
UMGC-TV regularly airs programs on healthcare, aging, diversity, public policy, media criticism, new technologies, the arts, psychology, and small business. UMGC-TV also showcases artists represented in the Maryland Artist Collection, which resides at UMGC.
#10. UMGC Offers Mediation for Dispute Resolution
Mediation is an appropriate tool for dealing with the workplace- and student-related conflicts, including interpersonal disputes, offensive office behaviors, and issues of respect and cooperation.
To provide an effective process for settling disagreements and strengthening relationships among faculty, staff, and students, UMGC formed the Mediation Services, led by a certified mediator.
At UMGC, mediation is an informal, impartial, and voluntary process grounded in the university’s core values: Students first, accountability, diversity, integrity, excellence, innovation, and respect.
During this process, a certified mediator helps the involved parties work through conflict constructively in a confidential setting.
Conclusion
There are unarguably many exciting things about the University of Maryland Global Campus, and this article has highlighted ten things of interest for you.
The history, what the school is about, and how good the school is, are also exhaustively discussed.
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