Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a graduate student at UMGC Europe.
Academic Integrity
Integrity in teaching and learning is a fundamental principle of a university. UMGC believes that all members of the university community share the responsibility for academic integrity, as expressed in the University System of Maryland (USM) policy Faculty, Student, and Institutional Rights and Responsibilities for Academic Integrity. At UMGC, faculty members are expected to establish classroom environments conducive to the maintenance of academic integrity by giving you a complete syllabus describing the course and its requirements, by providing clear-cut directions for assignments and adequate and timely feedback, and by arranging appropriate testing conditions. As a UMGC student, you are expected to conduct yourself in a manner that will contribute to the maintenance of academic integrity. The USM policy may be found in the USM policies and procedures.
Academic dishonesty is the failure to maintain academic integrity. Academic dishonesty includes cheating; fabrication; bribery offered for grades, transcripts, or diplomas; obtaining or giving aid on an examination; having unauthorized prior knowledge of an examination; doing work for another student; presenting another student's work as your own; and plagiarism.
Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's idea or product as your own. Plagiarism includes copying verbatim all or part of another's written work without quotation marks and citation of the source in the text and in reference lists; using phrases, charts, figures, illustrations, or mathematical or scientific solutions without citing the source; paraphrasing ideas, conclusions, or research without citing the source in the text and in reference lists; or using all or part of a literary plot, poem, film, musical score, or other artistic product without attributing the work to its creator.
You can avoid unintentional plagiarism by carefully following accepted scholarly practices. Notes taken for papers and research projects should accurately record sources of material to be appropriately cited, quoted, paraphrased, or summarized. All coursework you submit should acknowledge these sources both in text and in a reference list, in accordance with accepted citation practices.
Attempts to violate academic integrity or to assist others in doing so are prohibited. See academic integrity resources. Additional information on UMGC's policy on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism are described in UMGC policy 150.25.
Academic Load
MBA and MS in Cybersecurity Technology
If you are enrolled in a master's degree program that requires CBR 600 or PRO 600, you are considered full-time if you are registered for 6 credits.
Given the time commitment required for graduate study, the maximum recommended load is 6 credits per term.
Courses in these programs follow a defined sequence and build on competencies developed in previous coursework. Course overloads are not allowed in these programs.
Other Master's Degree Programs
Generally, you are considered a full-time graduate student if you are registered for at least 9 credits per term in a program that does not require CBR, DCL, or PRO 600. If you are enrolled in 6 credits of graduate coursework per term, you are considered half-time.
You are advised to limit your academic load to conform with the demands of your employment and the time you have to prepare for class. Given the time commitment required for graduate study, the maximum recommended load is 6 credits per term.
If you have a compelling need to take more than 6 credits per term, you may submit a written request to take additional credits or one additional course to your advisor. In the request, you must indicate your acceptance of the academic risk entailed in adopting the course overload.
All requests for exceptions to the maximum recommended course load must be made at least one month before the beginning of a term and are subject to approval by The Graduate School.
To be considered for a course overload, you must
Be a degree- or certificate-seeking student.
Have no previous grades of C or F.
Have no current marks of I.
Have never been on academic probation.
See the UMGC's policy 215.00 on Student Academic Load and Enrollment Status for more information.
Appealing a Grade
College and university students inevitably encounter faculty members who vary widely in teaching philosophy and demeanor and who use different teaching styles. Not only is teaching influenced by course content, there are also many ways of conveying the same material. It is only natural that you will like the style and personality of some faculty members more than others. Disagreement with a faculty member over demeanor and teaching style, however, is not grounds for a grade appeal. You have the opportunity to express your opinions on these matters through the course evaluation forms you complete for every UMGC course.
Regardless of teaching style, it may happen that you believe a faculty member's determination of your final course grade has been arbitrary and capricious. The phrase “arbitrary and capricious grading” is defined in UMGC Policy 130.80 as
A final course grade assigned on some basis other than performance in the course; or
A final course grade assigned by resorting to unreasonable standards different from those that were applied to other students in that course; or
A final course grade assigned by a substantial, unreasonable, or unannounced departure from the faculty member's previously articulated grading standards.
The established performance standards for a course grade are communicated in the syllabus and other course materials. If you believe your final grade has not been based on such standards, you may pursue the appeal process. You should first confer promptly with the faculty member of the course. There is a time limit on appealing a grade; if you want to appeal a grade, you must initiate the process within 30 days of the posting of the grade.
If you have not been able to contact the faculty member after a reasonable effort, or if you and the faculty member cannot, after consultation, reach a satisfactory resolution, you must consult with the director, Graduate and Partnership Programs. If you, the faculty member, and the director are unable to reach a mutually agreeable solution, you may file a formal grade appeal to the associate vice provost.
For a formal grade appeal, you must submit a written statement, explaining in detail the allegation that the grade was the result of arbitrary and capricious grading and presenting relevant evidence.
See procedures for appealing a grade are detailed in UMGC Policy 130.80 Procedures for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading.
Attendance
You are expected to attend all on-site and online classes and any related activities regularly and punctually.
If you are absent from class, you are responsible for completing any missed coursework, as indicated in the course outline. You also are responsible for obtaining information about each class session, including any announcements and assignments you missed. Failure to complete any required coursework as scheduled may adversely affect your grade. Faculty members are not expected to repeat material that you missed because of absence.
You may not give permission to another person to accompany you to an on-site class, to attend an on-site class in your place, or to access or attend an online class.
Code Of Civility
To promote a positive, collegial atmosphere among students, faculty, and staff, UMGC has developed the following Code of Civility:
Respect
Treat all students, faculty, and staff with respect and in a professional and courteous manner at all times and in all communications, whether in person or in written communication (including e-mail).
Kindness
Refrain from using profanity, insults, or other disparaging remarks.
Truth
Endeavor to cite only the truth and not knowingly misrepresent, mischaracterize, or misquote information received from others.
Responsibility
Take responsibility for one's own actions instead of blaming others.
Cooperation
Work together with other students, faculty, and staff in a spirit of cooperation toward the common goals of seeking and providing quality education.
Privacy
Strive to uphold the right to privacy and not talk about others.
Nondiscrimination
Respect the differences in people and their ideas and opinions and reject bigotry.
Code of Student Conduct
You are subject to the UMGC Policy 151.00 Code of Student Conduct. Violations of the code are considered to be violations of UMGC policy and are grounds for discipline by UMGC.
Enrollment Across Programs
In general, you are not allowed to enroll in coursework that does not fulfill prerequisites or requirements for your specified program. If you wish to change your degree program or specialization, you should first contact a graduate advisor, and you must wait until the next standard term before enrolling in classes. In no case may you take coursework for different programs in the same session or term or in overlapping sessions or terms (e.g., when the winter term overlaps the standard spring term).
If you are interested in taking courses outside your academic program, you should first consult Graduate Advising. See the complete text of UMGC policy 211.00 on cross-enrollment.
Exception to Policy
Requests for an exception to policy must be submitted in writing to The Graduate School. You are responsible for presenting a strong case for the request for exception to policy. Requests are carefully reviewed before approval is granted or denied.
Intellectual Property
The primary mission of universities is to create, preserve, and disseminate knowledge. When that knowledge takes the form of intellectual property, a university must establish a clear and explicit policy that will protect the interests of the creators and the university while ensuring that society benefits from the fair and full dissemination of that knowledge. More information about UMGC's policy on intellectual property.
Nondiscrimination
UMGC is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals and adheres to federal, state, and local laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination and retaliation, as incorporated by UMGC Policy 40.30 Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity.
All inquiries regarding UMGC's Nondiscrimination Statement or compliance with applicable statutes or regulations should be directed to:
Equal Opportunity Officer, UMGC Europe
Civilian: +49-(0)631-534-80368
You may also contact the fair practices officer
Contact Information
Office of Diversity and Equity, UMGC
3501 University Boulevard East
Adelphi, MD 20783-8000
Civilian: +1-301-985-7955
Sexual Misconduct Awareness
UMGC is committed to providing an education and work environment that is free from sexual misconduct—a form of discrimination based on sex or gender that includes dating violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, sexual intimidation, sexual violence, and stalking. UMGC promotes awareness and addresses sexual misconduct issues through educational programs, training, and complaint resolution. All administrators, supervisors, and faculty members are required to promptly and appropriately report allegations of sexual misconduct that are brought to their attention.
Inquiries regarding sexual misconduct, including sex- and gender-based discrimination, should be referred to:
Title IX Investigator, UMGC Europe
Civilian: +49-(0)631-534-80368
Fax: +49-(0)6371-47-2290
Persons who want assistance and support without triggering an investigation or disclosure of the victim's identity should contact:
Blair H. Hayes, UMGC Ombudsman
Civilian: +1-301-985-7910
Toll-free: +1-800-888-UMGC (8682)
If you have any questions regarding sexual misconduct, refer to UMGC Policy 041.00 Sexual Misconduct for details.
Student Grievance Procedures
The procedures necessary to file a formal complaint concerning the actions of members of the UMGC faculty or administrative staff are detailed in UMGC policy 130.70 Student Grievance Procedures. If you wish to seek redress for the acts or omissions of a faculty or staff member, you must first request a conference with that person and attempt to resolve the complaint informally within 14 days of the alleged act or omission. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, you may file a formal complaint in writing to the campus administrator designated in the policy within 30 calendar days of the alleged act or omission.
Technology Use
Connectivity and Computer Literacy
To take full advantage of The Graduate School's educational offerings, you must own or have access to a personal computer, and you must have access to the Internet. In some classes, you may be required to participate in synchronous computer-based class discussions and study group activities.
As a graduate student, you must be able to reach fellow students, faculty, and the university via e-mail. You will be assigned a UMGC Office 365 Account, which includes e-mail, as soon as you register. While you are not required to use the UMGC e-mail address, you must maintain a current e-mail address through MyUMGC.
In addition, you are expected to have a working knowledge of, and access to, a basic word processing program, such as Microsoft Word; a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel; and Internet electronic mail services. Knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Internet information services, such as the World Wide Web, also is necessary.
If you require further training in the use of Internet services and basic software packages, you may wish to consult the UMGC undergraduate schedule of classes or speak with an undergraduate advisor regarding appropriate classes.
Electronic File Sharing
Peer-to-peer programs permit computers to share data in the form of music, movies, games, computer files, and software.
All users of the UMGC network are required to comply with federal copyright laws. UMGC network users are not permitted to share unauthorized copyrighted material over the UMGC network, whether on personally owned or university computers.
Any unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials on the university network, including peer-to-peer file sharing, is a violation of federal law and UMGC policies. Violations may lead to disciplinary proceedings and, in some cases, civil and criminal legal action. See UMGC's computing resources policies and UMGC's Computer Use Policy.
More information about how to legally download music is provided by the Recording Industry Association of America. Information about how to legally download movies and television programs is available at Motion Picture Association of America.
Waiting List
If a hybrid class is already full at the time of registration, you can place your name on a waiting list for that class. To check on class availability, visit MyUMGC.
The following conditions apply to the waiting list:
If a space becomes available, the first student on the waiting list for a hybrid class automatically will be registered for it, and the charge will appear on his or her account. An e-mail notification of the enrollment from the waiting list will be sent. If a space becomes available but the first student is ineligible to enroll in the class (for reasons such as failing to meet the prerequisites, being enrolled in another section of the same class, or being enrolled in a class that conflicts in time), the space will go to the next person on the waiting list.
If you no longer want to enroll in a class, you should remove your name from the waiting list to prevent the possibility of being automatically enrolled.
If you are already enrolled in the maximum number of allowable credits (6 credits) and you are on a waiting list for a third course, you will not be registered in the third course even if space becomes available in the class.
If you are already enrolled in a different section of the same class for which you are waitlisted, you will not be enrolled in the waitlisted section even if space becomes available.
Faculty members and academic advisors are not authorized to add students to a full class.