Parenting
Becoming a parent while pursuing graduate studies is a remarkable journey filled with unique challenges and rewards. This resource page is designed to provide you with essential information, tools, and guidance to support you through your parenting experience — whether you're preparing for the arrival of your child or navigating life as a new parent.
Below, you'll find detailed information on rights and accommodations, campus resources, childcare options, and supportive communities tailored to the needs of graduate students at the University of Maryland. Explore these resources to help balance your academic goals with your new role as a parent.
We encourage you to reach out to the contacts and offices listed for personalized assistance and further support.
Below are options to consider for graduate students who are patiently waiting for the near arrival of their child via adoption and/or childbirth.
The Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM), also known as Title IX Office, is the office for students who are experiencing pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions. Students can go to OCRSM for all reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy and pregnancy-related issues. Students should be aware of protections for Pregnant students via the Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct as known as the Title IX office. More information can be accessed here. Students can contact the Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct at 301.405.1142 and/or titleixcoordinator@umd.edu.
Students should register with ADS if they have a qualified medical diagnosis, which sometimes happens during pregnancy.
Students should consider leave options. Students can be granted time away from their studies via the parental leave option or leave of absence. There are pros and cons to both options and students can request an individual consultation meeting with the Graduate Academic Counselor to determine the best course of action. If you would like to meet individually to review options, please contact gs-counselor@umd.edu.
Below are options to consider for graduate students after the arrival of their child via adoption and/or childbirth.
Title IX
The Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM), also known as Title IX Office, is the office for students who are experiencing pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions. Students can go to OCRSM for all reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy and pregnancy-related issues. Students should be aware of protections for Pregnant students via the Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct as known as the Title IX office. More information can be accessed here. Students can contact the Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct at 301.405.1142 and/or titleixcoordinator@umd.edu.
Supportive UMD Spaces for parents include the following:
- Students with Kids via Facebook
- UMD Babysitters and Local Parents of Littles via Facebook
- Washington DC Area Homeschool/Playgroup Pods
- Route 1 Moms
- Student Affairs Working Moms’ Affinity Group
To learn more about each group, please visit the UMD University Human Resources Family Care Page.
Activities with Children on Campus:
Campus Resources:
Lactation Rooms are open to students, staff, faculty and visitors. Their locations can be accessed via the UMD Campus Map. Click the lactation room icon on the map for additional information about that specific location. 
There are several changing stations located on campus in the following buildings: Stamp Student Union, Campus Recreation Services, Benjamin Building, Van Munching Hall, and the Health Center.
If the students have an assistantship, they can qualify for Care@Work benefit which is great for discounts and can help pay for childcare.
Students who are new parents should be aware of their rights. They can review their rights via Title IX.
Childcare Resources
University of Maryland Child Development Center
The University Child Development Center is a partnership between UMD and Bright Horizons, and provides early education, for infants through preschool, to children and dependents of UMD employees, students, and College Park residents.
Center for Young Children
The Center for Young Children (CYC) is an early childhood development center dedicated to providing an exemplary early childhood program and committed to fostering the continued growth and development of each child on a cognitive, physical, emotional, and social level.
As an inclusive laboratory and demonstration school at UMD, CYC’s mission is to:
- Educate and care for young children in a developmentally appropriate manner;
- Prepare and train university students for careers in education and other related professions focused on children;
- Support and facilitate research on child development by serving as a research and observation facility.
Childcare Search Resources
Understandably, finding the right fit for childcare is immensely important. The universal reality is the cost of childcare may be beyond the financial bandwidth for some graduate students or a care center can have an extensive waitlist. Being mindful of the childcare search nuances, please review childcare search resources below:
Check a potential school or program via Check Child Care Maryland.
Care.com is a great resource that is covered by the Care@Work Benefit for those who have assistantships.
Students seeking Childcare Scholarships can review the Child Care Scholarship Program via the Maryland State Department of Education and Head Start Center Locator.
Additional Childcare Search Engines are listed below (these are not managed nor endorsed by UMD. These are solely listed as potential resources):
Students should also be aware of the Prince George's Speciality Lottery.
Be sure to connect with the UMD parent groups mentioned as above which often times advertise "nanny shares" which are an efficient and affordable option.
For parents seeking summer camps, please utilize Summer Programs and Camps. Also, review UMD Camp Offerings.