Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to submit my application?

Ideally, you should submit your completed application as early in the admission cycle as possible. Since admission and financial award decisions are made based on merit and availability, early applicants are at an advantage. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. See the list of application deadlines.

Will my application be reviewed if something is missing?

The Admissions Committee will not consider any incomplete applications. The only items missing from the application packet you’ll manually submit are your GMAT, GRE or TOEFL/IELTS scores. All testing should be completed before the application deadline and sent directly to our admissions team through the testing service.

Institutional Codes

• TOEFL/IELTS - Institutional code is 5814
• GRE - Institutional code is 5814
• GMAT - SQT - N8 - 16

Please note that we cannot accept paper IELTS scores.

Is work experience required for the master’s degree programs?

No - Work experience is not required for any of the specialty master’s degree programs.

Should I still apply if my scores are below the student class profile?

Yes - You are welcome to apply.

Do all master’s program applicants have to submit GMAT or GRE scores?

Under most circumstances, your GMAT or GRE scores are required for your application to be considered complete. Yet U.S. applicants using the Maryland Advantage incentive and those applying to the Online Master of Science in Management Studies program are exempt from submitting GMAT/GRE test scores.

Finance and Quantitative Finance - Require GMAT/GRE.

Business Analytics, Information Systems, Marketing Analytics - Require GMAT/GRE but applicants may qualify for a GMAT/GRE waiver if they meet the following requirements:

• GPA of a 3.2/4, 4/5, 8/10, 80/100 in a QUANTITATIVE degree AND
• 24 months of relevant post-undergraduate work experience

Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Management Studies - Do not require GMAT/GRE but submitting test scores is still encouraged.

Please refer to GMAT/GRE Test Score Requirements, Maryland Advantage and GMAT/GRE Waivers on the admissions page for more information.

Who should provide my letter of recommendation?

Your letters of recommendation should come from a work supervisor or a professor from your undergraduate institution who is familiar with your work.

Can I defer my admission?

We are unable to defer an admissions offer. Please apply for the term you intend to begin your studies.

Can I start taking classes in the spring?

The MSIS program admits new students for both spring and fall semesters. Other in-person specialty master’s degree programs only admit new students for the fall semester.

If I applied last year and was not accepted, how do I reapply?

If you choose to reapply, you must submit a new application package which includes the following:

• Application
• Application Fee
• Transcripts
• Resume
• Essay

Any recommendation letters previously submitted electronically with the online application do not need to be resubmitted. If you previously submitted your official test scores to the University of Maryland, you also do not need to resubmit these items with your new application.

Where are classes held for master’s degree programs?

Classes are held at the University of Maryland’s main campus in College Park, Md.

How long does it take to complete the degree requirements?

The time it takes you to complete your degree varies per program. Please review your program’s academic page for length options, which usually range from two to four semesters.

How many credits should I register for each semester?

Each program will have a slightly different number of credits you should take each semester. Your advisor will help you determine which courses to register for.

Are transfer credits accepted?

Transfer credits are not accepted into our master’s degree programs.

What kind of access will I have to professors?

Professors are available to meet students during office hours and for scheduled appointments. They are also available via email and phone.

Is the degree I’ll receive accredited?

Yes - Maryland Smith is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

How will my program be structured?

Most of our master’s degree programs are cohort-based. You will typically have the same class schedule as your classmates. If you waive out of a class, you can take an elective.

How much does the entire program cost?

Program costs vary depending on your Maryland residency status and the program you are enrolled in. Visit the admissions page for the most up-to-date information.

How do I apply for financial aid?

You are automatically considered for scholarships and graduate assistantships when the Admissions Committee evaluates your application for admission. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply for loans through Maryland’s Office of Student Financial Aid.

Who is considered an “international applicant”?

The University of Maryland at College Park defines an international applicant as any applicant who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

I have a three-year bachelor's degree from outside the United States. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes, candidates with a three-year bachelor's degree from outside the United States may apply. Read more about the requirements for the 3-year bachelor's degree.

I'm an international student and I have been living in the United States for several years. Do I still need to take the TOEFL?

If you have earned a four-year bachelor's or graduate degree from an institution within the United States or in a country where the native language is English, you will be waived from the TOEFL exam. Students with degrees from other countries are required to take the TOEFL and submit their scores. Refer to our document for more information.

How long are TOEFL scores valid?

TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

I want to apply to the University of Maryland and I need to submit an English proficiency score, but testing centers for the TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE are closed in my area. What can I do?

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, we will be accepting the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator as we would accept a regular iBT TOEFL or Academic IELTS. These tests can be taken online from home.

If you are from Mainland China we understand that you can not take either of these special exams, so we are accepting the TOEFL ITP Plus for China.

If you are from Iran we understand that you also can not take either of these exams. The Maryland English Institute is therefore planning to remotely administer a TOEFL ITP exam for applicants in Iran in mid-July. If you would like to take this exam, please send an e-mail to gradschool@umd.edu by June 30 at the latest. The Maryland English Institute will then reach out to you with the date and time for the exam and all other information.

The TOEFL ITP exam has a total score of 677. A score below 560 requires placement in Intensive English. A score between 560 and 589 requires placement in the English Bridge Program. A score of 590 or higher only requires placement in an Advanced English Writing course in the second semester at UMD. Unlike the TOEFL iBT or IELTS, the TOEFL ITP does not have a writing section which is why placement in the writing course would be given instead of full admission. We do not have any minimum sectional score requirements for the TOEFL ITP.

TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Scores

For TOEFL scores, contact www.toefl.org to request an official copy of your TOEFL test score to be sent to the University of Maryland at College Park. We will accept the "My Best" TOEFL score from ETS. For IELTS, the University of Maryland downloads scores that have been transmitted to our e-download account. IELTS test takers should contact their IELTS test center directly to request electronic test scores be sent to the following IELTS e-download account:

University of Maryland – The Graduate School
The Graduate School
2123 Lee Building
College Park, Maryland 20742-1815

Please note we cannot accept paper IELTS forms.

PTE test takers can send their score reports to the University of Maryland through their Pearson account.

TOEFL institutional code is 5814.

Minimum Required Scores