University of Maryland Global Campus holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation concerns the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation or approval of a particular degree program.
Institutional accreditation is an important condition for participation in federal student aid programs, but an individual student must still meet financial aid eligibility rules. It also does not require another college to accept UMGC credits: the receiving institution decides which credits count toward its programs. Students entering a licensed profession should check the accreditation, state approvals, and licensing requirements for their specific program and intended state of practice before enrolling.
UMGC has an open-admission policy for general undergraduate entry. Degree-seeking applicants typically complete the university's application and establish that they have finished high school or an accepted equivalent, such as a GED credential. Open admission does not mean admission to every program or that all previously earned credits will apply to a degree.
Applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts from schools they attended when the university requests them. Standardized SAT or ACT scores are not a central part of the general undergraduate admission process; applicants should not assume that a score is required without checking their program's current rules. Graduate applicants, international applicants, and students entering programs with professional prerequisites may face additional requirements, including previous degrees, academic records, or evidence of English proficiency.
UMGC offers multiple starting points during the year rather than relying solely on one fall freshman intake. Application, transcript, registration, and financial aid deadlines can differ, so the relevant date is the one attached to the applicant's intended program and start term.
UMGC's reported application fee is $50. Applicants should check the fee displayed for their specific application before submitting it, because promotions or category-specific arrangements can change the amount actually due.
A fee waiver should not be assumed from military status, financial need, or attendance at an information event. Anyone seeking one should confirm eligibility and obtain any required code or approval before paying or submitting the application. An application fee is separate from tuition, course fees, and any later enrollment charges.
UMGC does not present a conventional, campus-based Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit as part of an Adelphi undergraduate experience. Its extensive support for military-connected students should not be confused with ROTC officer training.
A student hoping to participate through a unit at another university would need confirmation from that unit and UMGC that cross-enrollment is permitted and that course and scheduling requirements can be met. ROTC eligibility, scholarships, and eventual service obligations are set by the relevant military branch and host program; enrollment at UMGC alone does not establish ROTC participation.
UMGC accepts transfer applicants and generally considers eligible coursework from other accredited institutions. Transfer students can enter during fall, spring, or summer enrollment periods, making the university's process different from a single annual transfer cycle.
Applicants should submit official transcripts from each college attended so UMGC can evaluate the work. Admission and credit acceptance are separate decisions: a course may transfer as credit without satisfying a particular major requirement. UMGC also considers several forms of assessed prior learning, including Advanced Placement, CLEP, DSST, and credit guided by American Council on Education recommendations, subject to its current policies.
Before enrolling, request an official degree evaluation showing how credits apply to general education, the major, and electives. Check the catalog's minimum UMGC-credit requirement and any major-specific restrictions. Students transferring from a Maryland community college should also ask how their courses fit an applicable transfer pathway rather than assuming that an associate degree automatically completes every remaining requirement.
UMGC's overseas teaching presence is not the same thing as a conventional semester-abroad exchange program. The university offers instruction to eligible students at locations outside the United States, particularly in communities connected to the U.S. military.
Students seeking an international experience should distinguish among taking a UMGC course overseas, joining a study-abroad program run by another institution, and completing an internship abroad. Eligibility to attend an overseas location can depend on access to that location, while credit from an outside program requires academic approval. Before committing money to travel or an outside provider, a student needs written confirmation of course equivalencies and should ask the financial aid office whether aid can apply.
Application fee
$50Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoHigh school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesOpen admission policy
YesDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesStudy abroad
NoWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
YesApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.