The summaries below are general in nature. Specific functions, expectations, and distribution duties may vary depending on the academic department, program needs, and institutional priorities.
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.
Role of the Coordinator of Graduate Studies (CGS)
The Coordinator of Graduate Studies (CGS) collaborates with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), often serves as a primary point of contact, and supports all aspects of the graduate program and its faculty and students, from recruitment to graduation. The CGS executes decisions made by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and any graduate committees, and coordinates all activities and events relating to admissions, degree milestones, and student engagement. While the specific contributions of the CGS vary among programs, the CGS is typically responsible for the seamless management of day-to-day operations, monitoring student progress, ensuring compliance with program and Graduate School policies, and maintaining records and reporting accurate program data. Additionally, the CGS provides vital support to faculty and students by interpreting policies and liaising with college and other campus offices, ensuring the smooth implementation of procedures from admission through graduation.
