Apr 18, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Division of Professional Studies


UMBC’s Division of Professional Studies (DPS) offers a broad array of professionally focused master’s degrees, graduate certificates, undergraduate programs, individual courses and non-degree training programs. The quality, diversity, and flexibility of these education and training programs make it possible for students to pursue their educational goals, whether for professional advancement, personal enrichment, or an academic credential. Building on UMBC’s strengths in cutting-edge research and academic excellence, these programs provide relevant skills, knowledge and credentials that offer students new opportunities and address regional and national workforce shortages in areas of high demand.

DPS programs and initiatives include:

  • Professional Master’s Degrees and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
  • UMBC’s campus at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland
  • Summer and Winter Sessions
  • The Shriver Center
  • English Language Institute
  • UMBC Training Centers (non-degree and corporate training)

DPS partners with UMBC academic programs to develop high-quality graduate programs that are responsive to the needs of working professionals, as well as government and corporate clients. These programs engage top UMBC faculty, industry experts, and distinguished professionals and thought leaders to teach courses and advise students. Courses and training are offered in modern, state-of-the-art learning centers with small classrooms, and leading edge technology.  For more information on the development of new programs, please contact the division.

Master’s Degrees and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Responding to the needs of working professionals, DPS offers applied, graduate degrees and certificates in the following areas, in partnership with the colleges and departments:

Master’s Degrees:

Biotechnology
Cybersecurity
Education
Engineering Management
Geographic Information Systems
Health Information Technology
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Instructional Systems Development - Training Systems
Systems Engineering
TESOL

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates:

American Contemporary Music
Biochemical Regulatory Engineering
Biotechnology Management
Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy
Distance Education
Engineering Management
Instructional Systems Design
Instructional Technology
Nonprofit Sector
Music Entrepreneurship 
Systems Engineering

For more information, go to www.umbc.edu/dps

UMBC at The Universities at Shady Grove

UMBC, in partnership with the Universities at Shady Grove, offers an opportunity for transfer students in the national capital region to achieve their educational goals.

Located in Montgomery County, UMBC at Shady Grove offers four full-time, daytime, and upper division bachelor’s degree programs in history, political science, psychology, and social work, as well as applied graduate programs in biotechnology, cybersecurity, industrial/organizational psychology, and geographic information systems. Academic standards, policies and procedures for UMBC- Shady Grove students are identical to those followed by all UMBC students. Classes are taught by UMBC faculty and degrees are granted by UMBC.

The programs stress enrichment opportunities through internships, service-learning experiences, and applied field practicums.

For more information and a current listing of programs, call 301-738-6081, e-mail shadygrove@umbc.edu, or visit www.umbc.edu/shadygrove.

UMBC-Main Campus Students Taking Courses at UMBC-Shady Grove:  
UMBC-Main Campus students may enroll in courses at the UMBC-Shady Grove Campus during the summer or winter sessions. While fall and spring semester enrollment in courses at the UMBC-Shady Grove Campus is generally limited to Shady Grove students only, exceptions to this practice may be considered depending upon capacity restrictions.  UMBC-Main Campus students seeking an exception to enroll in courses at the UMBC-Shady Grove Campus during the fall or spring semesters should contact their Program Director or Advisor to discuss options. Note:  While tuition costs are equal at both campuses, each campus does have a different fee structure. This may result in varying total costs for course enrollment.    

UMBC-Shady Grove Students Taking Courses at UMBC-Main Campus:  

UMBC-Shady Grove students may enroll in courses at the UMBC-Main Campus during the summer or winter sessions.  While fall and spring semester enrollment in courses at the UMBC-Main Campus is generally limited to Main-Campus students, exceptions to this practice may be considered depending upon capacity restrictions. UMBC-Shady Grove students seeking an exception to enroll in courses at the UMBC-Main Campus during the fall or spring should contact their Program Director at Shady Grove to discuss options. Note: While tuition costs are equal at both campuses, each campus does have a different fee structure. This may result in varying total costs for course enrollment. 

Summer and Winter Sessions

During summer session, students can catch up, lighten their fall course load, stay on track to graduate, earn credits for the major, or take a class for personal enrichment. Current, visiting and new students are invited to enroll. Courses from a wide range of academic areas are scheduled in four-, six-, eight- and 12-week sessions. Courses offered include STEM courses (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), general education requirements, major and minor courses, special topics, study-abroad options, internships and field experiences. Many summer courses are online or in a hybrid delivery format. UMBC summer courses are also offered at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD. Courses at the main campus as well as Shady Grove are open to all students and are conveniently scheduled throughout the day and evening.

Visit www.umbc.edu/summer, email to summer@umbc.edu or call 410-455-2335.

The winter session is a condensed, accelerated semester in January. Current, visiting and new students can earn up to 4.5 credits in less than four weeks. Courses include pre-requisites, special topics, foreign language courses, general education requirements, major and minor courses, study-abroad options, internships and field experiences. Many hybrid and online courses are also available during winter session.

Visit www.umbc.edu/winter, email to winter@umbc.edu or call 410-455-2335.

The Shriver Center

The Shriver Center, named in tribute to the vision and service of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver, links the resources of the campus to urgent social needs - particularly in the areas of education, juvenile and criminal justice, health, the environment and workforce development. To learn more, visit the “Special Opportunities” section of undergraduate catalog or visit: http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu.

English Language Institute (ELI)

UMBC’s English Language Institute (ELI) offers courses for current UMBC and prospective international students who seek to advance their English language skills for specific fields and purposes. In addition to “conditional admission” where students who successfully complete upper-level ELI courses become eligible to apply for UMBC’s bachelor’s degree program and master’s degree programs without taking TOEFL, ELI also offers the “Bridge Program,” which lets students apply for both the English training program at ELI and an undergraduate program at UMBC together without a TOEFL score.

The ELI offers varied program and course options all year round:

  • Intensive English Program (full- or part-time study): These courses are non-credit and for those who want to improve overall skills of English language used in daily life.  The skill levels start from basic (Level Intro) up to advanced (Level 5).
  • Academic English Program (full- or part-time study): This program is designed for more proficient English speakers at intermediate and advanced levels (i.e., Level 4 through 6) who want to study in an undergraduate and graduate program after their program completion.
  • Special Skill-Focused Courses: TOEFL, GRE and TOEIC preparation; accent reduction; business/professional English, and more
  • Extra-Intensive English Programs:  Full- or part- time study in January or August
  • TESOL Training Course (on-campus or online): For those who want to explore the fields of TESOL and TEFL and those who want to teach English to non-native adult English speakers in the U.S. or abroad.
  • Online English Courses: The online courses are designed to for advanced English users (Level 5) who are unable to come to the U.S. to study English and want to study English anytime, anywhere in the world to fit their busy daily schedule.

Advantages of ELI programs include access to free individual tutoring, the free “Conversation Partner Program,” where each student is paired up with an English speaker to practice his/her English, individualized academic and immigration advising, online course options, English language learning software,  immigration advising, and more.

For more information, contact ELI at 410-455-2831 or visit www.umbc.edu/eli.

UMBC Training Centers

UMBC Training Centers: Non-credit certificate programs and industry certifications

Develop valuable practical skills and obtain professional certifications to help you begin or advance in your career.  Current UMBC students receive a 50% discount on eligible programs. 

Certificate Programs include:

  • Certificate in Cyber Foundations
  • Certificate in Project Management
  • Certificate in Oracle Database Administration
  • Certificate in Network Administration
  • Certificate in Windows Administration

Professional Certifications include:

  • CompTIA A+, Network+, Linux+ and Security+ Certification
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® and Project Management Professional (PMP)®

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

UMBC Training Centers offers one of the area’s most highly regarded programs in diagnostic medical sonography. This program is accredited and includes concentrations in cardiac, general and vascular sonography. It involves classroom instruction and significant hands-on experience in our sonography lab, as well as at hospitals and other clinical sites in the Baltimore region. This program offers a certificate upon completion.

Call (443) 692-6588, visit www.umbctraining.com or e-mail info@umbctraining.com for more information.