Frequently Asked Questions

Many applicants have questions as they prepare their applications. In an effort to make the master’s programs admissions process as seamless as possible, a number of Frequently Asked Questions have been compiled below.

Decorative

Business Master’s Office

2303 Van Munching Hall
College Park, Maryland 20742-1815
Phone: 301-405-2559
E-mail: SmithMasters@umd.edu
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

When is the best time to submit my application?
There are no priority deadlines. As long as you submit your application by the dates listed on the Admissions page, you’ll be equally considered for the program.

Will my application be reviewed if something is missing?
The Admissions Committee will not consider any incomplete applications. The only items that will be missing from the application packet you’ll manually submit are your GMAT, GRE or TOEFL/IELTS scores. All testing should be completed before the application deadline and sent directly to our admissions team through the testing service.

Institutional Codes

  • TOEFL/IELTS - Institutional code is 5814
  • GRE - Institutional code is 5814
  • GMAT - SQT - N8 - 16

Please note that we cannot accept paper IELTS scores.

Is work experience required for the master’s degree programs?
No - Work experience is not required for any of the specialty master’s degree programs.

Should I still apply if my scores are below the student class profile?
Yes - You are welcome to apply.

Do all master’s program applicants have to submit GMAT or GRE scores?
Under most circumstances, your GMAT or GRE scores are required for your application to be considered complete.

Master’s degree programs that require GMAT/GRE scores include:

  • Business Analytics
  • Finance
  • Information Systems
  • Marketing Analytics
  • Quantitative Finance
  • Accounting applicants: Candidates with at least a 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution and who have grades of Bs or better in accounting coursework may apply without submitting their GMAT/GRE scores. 
  • Business Analytics applicants: Applicants should have exposure to calculus. Linear algebra coursework recommended but not required.
  • Supply Chain Management applicants: Applicants with a strong professional experience in operations management or statistical analysis and/or have grades of B or better in these subject areas may apply without submitting their GMAT/GRE scores.
  • High Performing Senior applicants: Students finishing undergrad with a 3.2 GPA or higher with a strong quantitative background from a U.S. institution may request their GMAT/GRE scores be waived.

Who should provide my letter of recommendation?
Your letters of recommendation should come from a work supervisor or a professor from your undergraduate institution who is familiar with your work.

Can I defer my admission?
We are unable to defer an admissions offer. Please apply for the term you intend to begin your studies.

Can I start taking classes in the spring?
No - the in-person specialty master’s degree programs only admit new students for the fall semester.

If I applied last year and was not accepted, how do I reapply?
If you choose to reapply, you must submit a new application package which includes the following:

  • Application
  • Application Fee
  • Transcripts
  • Resume
  • Essay

Any recommendation letters previously submitted electronically with the online application do not need to be resubmitted. If you previously submitted your official test scores to the University of Maryland, you also do not need to resubmit these items with your new application.

Where are classes held for master’s degree programs?
Classes are held at the University of Maryland’s main campus in College Park, MD.

How long does it take to complete the degree requirements?
The length of time it takes you to complete your degree varies per program. Please review your program’s academic page for length options, which usually varies from two to four semesters.

How many credits should I register for each semester?
Each program will have a slightly different number of credits you should take each semester. Your program manager will help you determine which courses to register for.

Are transfer credits accepted?
Transfer credits are not accepted into our master’s degree programs.

What kind of access will I have to professors?
Professors are available to meet students in-person during office hours and for scheduled appointments. They are also available via email and phone.

Is the degree I’ll receive accredited?
Yes - Maryland Smith is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

How will my program be structured?
Most of our master’s degree programs are cohort-based. This means that you’ll usually have the same class schedule as your classmates. If you waive out of a class, you can take an elective.

How much does the entire program cost?
Program costs vary depending on your Maryland residency status and the program you are enrolled in. Visit the admissions page for the most up-to-date information.

How do I apply for financial aid?
You are automatically considered for scholarships and graduate assistantships when the Admissions Committee evaluates your application for admission. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply for loans through Maryland’s Office of Student Financial Aid.

Who is considered an “international applicant”?
The University of Maryland at College Park defines an international applicant as any applicant who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

I have a three-year bachelor's degree from outside the United States. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, candidates with a three-year bachelor's degree from outside the United States may apply.

I'm an international student who has been living in the United States for several years. Do I still need to take the TOEFL?
If you have earned a four-year bachelor's or graduate degree from an institution within the United States or in a country where the native language is English, you will be waived from the TOEFL exam. Students with degrees from other countries are required to take the TOEFL and submit their scores. Refer to our document for more information.

How long are TOEFL scores valid?
TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

I want to apply to the University of Maryland and I need to submit an English proficiency score, but testing centers for the TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE are closed in my area. What can I do?

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, we will be accepting the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator as we would accept a regular iBT TOEFL or Academic IELTS. These tests can be taken online from home.

If you are from Mainland China we understand that you can not take either of these special exams, so we are accepting the TOEFL ITP Plus for China.

If you are from Iran we understand that you also can not take either of these exams. The Maryland English Institute is therefore planning to remotely administer a TOEFL ITP exam for applicants in Iran in mid-July. If you would like to take this exam, please send an e-mail to gradschool@umd.edu by June 30 at the latest. The Maryland English Institute will then reach out to you with the date and time for the exam and all other information.

The TOEFL ITP exam has a total score of 677. A score below 560 requires placement in Intensive English. A score between 560 and 589 requires placement in the English Bridge Program. A score of 590 or higher only requires placement in an Advanced English Writing course in the second semester at UMD. Unlike the TOEFL iBT or IELTS, the TOEFL ITP does not have a writing section which is why placement in the writing course would be given instead of full admission. We do not have any minimum sectional score requirements for the TOEFL ITP.

TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Scores

For TOEFL scores, contact www.toefl.org to request an official copy of your TOEFL test score to be sent to the University of Maryland at College Park. We will accept the "My Best" TOEFL score from ETS. For IELTS, the University of Maryland downloads scores that have been transmitted to our e-download account. IELTS test takers should contact their IELTS test center directly to request electronic test scores be sent to the following IELTS e-download account:

University of Maryland – The Graduate School
The Graduate School
2123 Lee Building
College Park, Maryland 20742-1815

Please note we cannot accept paper IELTS forms.

PTE test takers can send their score reports to the University of Maryland through their Pearson account.

TOEFL institutional code is 5814.

Minimum Required Scores

 

TOEFL
Minimum Required Score

IELTS
Minimum Required Score

PTE
Minimum Required Score

Overall

96

7

68

Speaking

22

6.5

 

Listening

24

7

 

Reading

26

7

 

Writing

24

7

68

Back to Top