University of Maryland-College Park

What is the history of University of Maryland-College Park?

The University of Maryland, College Park began as the Maryland Agricultural College, chartered in 1856 and opened in 1859. Its original focus was agricultural education, but it developed into a broad public research university.

The college became a land-grant institution in the 1860s. A fire destroyed much of its early campus in 1912, and subsequent rebuilding helped shape College Park as its permanent home. It became Maryland State College in 1916 and joined the newly organized University of Maryland in 1920. Later changes to Maryland's public university system established College Park's distinct identity as the system's flagship campus. Its agricultural roots remain visible in current programs, alongside extensive offerings in engineering, the sciences, humanities, business and public policy.

What are the faculties and departments at University of Maryland-College Park?

University of Maryland, College Park offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral study across a broad set of colleges and schools. Its academic organization includes the colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Arts and Humanities; Behavioral and Social Sciences; Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences; and Education.

Other major academic units are the A. James Clark School of Engineering, Robert H. Smith School of Business, College of Information, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, School of Public Health, School of Public Policy, and School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. The Graduate School coordinates graduate education across disciplines.

Students can explore fields ranging from computer science, aerospace engineering and accounting to history, journalism, public health and landscape architecture. A university-wide research enterprise creates opportunities to work with faculty, although access to a particular project depends on the department, preparation and available openings. Applicants should check the requirements of their intended major: admission to the university does not necessarily mean immediate entry to every specialized program.

What is the location of University of Maryland-College Park?

University of Maryland, College Park is in College Park, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC. Its large campus has a suburban setting with access to the region's federal agencies, employers, museums and research organizations.

The College Park-University of Maryland Metro station connects the area to Washington's transit network; local buses and university transportation provide other ways to reach and move around campus. Driving and parking require planning, particularly for commuters. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a useful regional airport, though travel time depends heavily on traffic and transit connections. College Park is the university discussed here, not the separately located University of Maryland, Baltimore.

What is the mission and vision of University of Maryland-College Park?

University of Maryland, College Park describes its mission as combining education, research and service as Maryland's flagship public university and a land-grant institution. Its stated priorities include creating knowledge, preparing students and applying university work to public needs.

That mission helps explain the university's mix of undergraduate teaching, graduate study, research and community engagement. Its public and land-grant roles are institutional commitments, not a promise that every student will have the same research, service or professional opportunities. The university is a public, nonsectarian institution.