UMGC degree
The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), founded in 1947 and headquartered in Adelphi, Maryland, is one of the 11 member institutions of the University of Maryland System. UMGC degree sample. UMGC diploma 2026. Formerly known as the University of Maryland College (UMUC), it officially changed its name in 2019 to reflect its mission of serving learners worldwide. As a public university designed for working adults, military personnel, and transfer students, UMGC’s core philosophy is “open admissions,” with no requirement for standardized test scores and an application process that takes only about 10 minutes, aiming to break down the time and geographical barriers of traditional higher education.
Complete Degree Programs UMGC offers a complete degree system from associate’s degrees to professional doctorates. According to official data from the University of Maryland System, the university has approximately 50,793 undergraduate students and 9,291 graduate students, with a total global student population exceeding 90,000. The degree programs offered by UMGC encompass a wide range of qualifications, including Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Doctor of Professional Practice (PMP) degrees, Postbaccalaureate Certificates, and Graduate Certificates. In 2024, UMGC awarded 3,582 Master’s degrees, 41 PMP degrees, and 408 PMPs, demonstrating its substantial degree output.
**Curriculum Focused on High-Demand Fields:** UMGC’s curriculum is designed to align with labor market demands, covering high-growth areas such as cybersecurity, business management, healthcare, data analytics, information technology, and biotechnology. All courses are available 100% online, with in-person and blended learning offered at over 20 locations in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia, and teaching centers at over 140 military bases across four continents.
**Representative Master’s Program: Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics:** UMGC’s Master’s program in cybersecurity is one of its flagship programs. The Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management & Policy (M.S.) requires only six graduate-level courses (36 credit points). The curriculum covers modules such as cybersecurity legal regulation, risk management frameworks, security assessment of emerging technologies, and compliance governance. Textbooks are primarily based on free electronic resources and are designed for practitioners with an IT academic background or certifications. The Master of Science in Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation (M.S.) focuses on attack attribution, electronic evidence preservation, and courtroom presentation. Its compulsory sequence includes four core courses, DFC610 to 640, and is suitable for learners with a computing and programming background. Both programs are structured with a 6-credit modular curriculum, emphasizing practical skills immediately applicable to the workplace.
Undergraduate and General Education Pathways: From Associate’s to Transfer
At the undergraduate level, UMGC offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.), totaling 120 credit hours. Core courses cover accounting, finance, marketing, human resource management, and strategic management, while the flagship course (BMGT 495) integrates interdisciplinary knowledge to solve real-world business problems. The university has seamless transfer agreements with all 16 community colleges in Maryland, making it the top choice for community college transfer students nationwide. It also offers the “Maryland Completion Scholarship,” enabling eligible community college graduates to complete their bachelor’s degree at a cost under $12,000. The Associate’s degree (A.A. in General Studies) allows students to anchor their specialization early through 21 credit hours of business and management electives.
Low Tuition and Lifelong Career Services
As a public university, UMGC maintains highly competitive and differentiated tuition rates. The average annual tuition for graduate students in the 2025-2026 academic year is $9,432 for in-state students and $11,862 for out-of-state students. Undergraduate tuition is calculated per credit hour: $524 per credit hour for in-state students and $659 per credit hour for out-of-state students. All graduates enjoy lifelong career services and can access job listings, internship opportunities, and employer connections 24/7 through the CareerQuest platform.
In short, UMGC is not a traditional research university, but a public education system strategically focused on career advancement, flexible study, and social inclusion. Its curriculum offers a high-return-on-investment higher education path for working professionals worldwide, with extremely low sunk costs, high credit transfer flexibility, and a clear industry accreditation orientation.
