About Us
The Graduate School oversees all graduate programs at the University of Maryland, making it one of the largest graduate education enterprises in the country. We provide visionary and strategic leadership for graduate education through the Office of the Dean and the Graduate Council, and in collaboration with the University’s 12 schools and colleges and other campus units.
We serve as a central hub for the entire graduate community, offering guidance and support from application to graduation and beyond to alumni career placement and engagement. Our offices, each dedicated to a particular area and staffed with area experts, work together to ensure seamless support for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and programs. We strive to provide service that fosters a welcoming and innovative environment in which graduate students and postdoctoral scholars thrive.
Our Fearless Mission
To advance graduate education and enhance the graduate student and postdoctoral scholar experience. In close collaboration with the colleges, our staff and faculty do this by:
- Supporting academic excellence and consistency of quality across all graduate programs by setting and overseeing policies and standards,
- Promoting exceptional research and education programs and coordinating campus-wide academic support programs to ensure student retention and success through and beyond graduation,
- Advocating for graduate education among key influencers and decision-makers both in and beyond the university, and
- Fostering inclusivity and belonging among our diverse graduate community.
Our Vision For Graduate Education
To become a recognized leader in innovative and inclusive graduate education, supporting a future where all UMD graduate students succeed in their scholarship, professional development, and career success, and become leaders in a dynamic and interconnected global society.
Our Student-Focused Values
We are guided by student-focused values that reflect our commitment to the graduate community:
- Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct, ensuring transparency and accountability in all our interactions and decisions.
- Opportunity: We strive to create and expand opportunities for academic and professional growth, empowering students to achieve their full potential.
- Support: We are committed to providing comprehensive support services that foster academic and career success.
- Access: We work to achieve equitable access to resources and opportunities, striving to enable success for all students.
- Community: We nurture a vibrant and inclusive community that fosters a sense of belonging among students, faculty, and staff.
- Advocacy: We actively champion the needs and interests of our graduate students and graduate programs, advocating for policies and practices that enhance the educational experience.