DGS & CGS Resources
DGS Handbook [Also as PDF]
Videos and materials from past sessions:
- International Credential Evaluation 101 Session: January 26, 2024
- View the PowerPoint from the International Credential Evaluation 101 Session on January 26, 2024.
- Info Session for Combined Bachelor's/Master's Program Administrators: October 25, 2023
- Graduate School/Registrar Office Hour: October 11, 2023
- Nomination of Thesis/Dissertation Committee Process: September 13, 2023
Role of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)
The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) at UMD is the program’s key faculty liaison, bridging graduate students, their home department, and the Graduate School and relevant campus student resources. In admissions, the DGS informs any recruitment efforts, manages initial application reviews in TerpEngage, advises on admit/reject decisions, and oversees assistantship offer letters and recruitment fellowships. Once students matriculate, the DGS certifies all required forms and petitions—committee nominations, candidacy applications, leaves of absence, time-to-degree extensions, and exception requests—ensuring each complies with Graduate School policies. They coordinate graduation logistics and degree audits via uAchieve, handle registration and records issues, and keep students and faculty up to date on milestones from orientation and mentoring expectations through thesis/dissertation defense. By maintaining departmental mentorship standards, Learning Outcomes procedures, and connecting students to campus-wide supports (e.g., Graduate Pathways, the Graduate Academic Counselor), the DGS both advocates for student success and safeguards the academic integrity of the graduate program.
REGISTER NOW
August 26, 2025 | 2:00 - 4:00PM | Maryland Room - Marie Mount Hall
Orientation Slideshow | DGS Handbook [also as PDF]
| Session Topics |
|---|
| DGS/CGS Onboarding |
|---|
| DGS Handbook |
| Future Orientations |
| Systems Access (SIS, u.achieve, TerpEngage, Grad Optix) |
| FERPA Training |
| Graduate School Points of Contact |
| Recruitment & Admissions |
|---|
| UM Recruitment / URG Support |
| Grad School Application |
| Salesforce (Branded as TerpEngage) |
| Admissions Toolkit |
| Admissions Overview |
| Assistantship Offer Letter Template |
| Non-Competitive Recruitment Fellowship - Dean’s Fellowship Program and Exceptional Recruitment Funds |
| Graduate School Recruitment Fellowships |
| New Students |
|---|
| New Graduate Student Orientation |
| Health Insurance Requirement |
| Mentorship Expectations |
| TerrapinSTRONG Initiative |
| Current Students: Resources & Support |
|---|
| Graduate Pathways |
| Graduate Academic Counselor |
| Red Folder & Mental Health |
| Graduate School Fellowships & Awards |
| Current Students: Policies & Procedures |
|---|
| Academic Services for Current Students |
| Petitions |
| Degree Audit for Master’s and Certificate Students |
| Dissertation / Thesis Policies & Procedures |
| Report of Examining Committee (REC) |
| Determining Status - Credits vs Units |
| Leaves of Absence |
| Impacts on Funding |
| GS Support/Reimbursements |
| Graduate Learning Outcomes Assessment (GLOA) |
| GradSERU |