University of Maryland University College

As a MD resident I think the value is great. Was able to attain BS degree in environmental management using Pell Grants, 2 $500/semester scholarships and Rawlings Grant. Did not need to put in any money. About half of the teachers were excellent and half so-so; some were more motivated than others. Almost none used the technology well; the online program is WEbtycho and I got the impression the teacher training was sorely lacking--no uniformity, syllabus often wrong, assignments hidden all over the place. Overall I was pleased with the results and am beginning grad school there this spring. Now the bad news. Support is TERRIBLE. I have had more problems with enrollment and financial aid disbursement caused by "computer glitches" and "the new employee" then I can count. The call center is massive, and you can not speak to the same person twice. No one has ever called me back as promised, semester after semester--it's almost comical. Many things are a mystery, such as when financial aid will disburse. Sometimes I have a refund due, and when this happens I prefer to get my books from Amazon or e-Campus rather than the hugely expensive MSB bookstore that I can get a voucher for. But what day does it disburse? No one knows. It is supposed to be "ten days before start of class" but that has not been my experience ever--usually the money comes about a week to two weeks after class starts, so saving money on books is hit or miss. The last semester it would have made a difference of over $240--about the amount of my refund. I am looking for another grad school but am scared I won't be up to par with lab work because this is not offered at UMUC (although I did have excellent labs at the community college I started out at). Anyway, if support is important to you, and you are dependent upon financial aid for more than tuition, be careful. Otherwise if you take advantage of all the classses have to offer you can get a fairly good ed. ALSO--plagiarism was rampant! I never heard of any student being disciplined for it, but it was really bad. For your own sake don't do it--it was hard not to get mad about all the work I did and someone else got the same grade for stealing other's work.

I spent two years at UMUC studying Environmental Management. I then transferred to the University of Virginia to complete my studies (BS Environmental Science). The courses I took at UMUC were solid, but they are lacking in a couple of key areas that are important to an Environmental Science/Management degree: (1) The highest math the UMUC have are required to go to is stats and pre-calc. Most graduate schools will want you to have gone up to Calc II. (2) Lab and general science courses. There is a lack of required sciences at UMUC. Also, since this is online, you will be lacking lab work which is important to the career. At UVA we are required to take one semester of each of the following sciences: Physics and lab, Chemistry and lab, Biology and lab. As well as one additional semester of one of the above. This is in addition to Ecology and lab, Hydrology and lab, Atmospheric Science and lab, and Geology and lab. So while the Environmental Management degree focuses more on policy it is important to have the basic sciences down (which you will not at UMUC). The courses that I did take within my major at UMUC were fairly challenging, but I wouldn't consider them hard classes. I didn't have to study; it was more about budgeting time. Now that I am at a different university, I have to study a lot in order to even pass. My GPA went from a 3.8 at UMUC to a 2.8 at UVA; that is just showing you the difference in academic rigor. It is a good choice if you are a professional, have a family, going back for a second degree, or are in the military. If you can go to a traditional (so that you can get lab experience), more challenging university with a more inclusive curriculum I would suggest that over UMUC. That being said, the professors at UMUC are great. They are willing to help the students and provide great instruction. When I was transferring I spoke with many professors over the phone (namely Sabrina Fu). They were more than willing to fill out mid-term forms for me, and to write recommendations. I loved all of the professors and think that they do a great job teaching and caring for the students.

I started with UMUC while in the Marines and continued after separation. Great support, generally excellent professors, course-work is applicable. I took in the neighborhood of 20 classes with UMUC and am positive with respect to my experience with them. I am proud to say that I graduated from UMUC. Patrick Benac

I graduated from UMUC in 2007 with my B.A. in English. Although expensive (I am an out-of-state student), it is a great school. The classes are NOT easy by any means and you will actually have to WORK for your degree. Most of the online professors that I had were incredibly encouraging and supportive. The only issues I had were involving the administration. When it came time for graduation they never mailed me my degree. I had to talk to about 20 people over several months before they finally sent it to me. And if you ever have to call them, make sure you have lots of free time. It's nearly impossible to get a human on the phone and when you do it's usually someone with a very thick foreign accent. But my overall experience eduction-wise was great and totally worth it.

This school has been a great experience. I lived overseas and started attending UMUC while in Belgium. After moving to the states I have continued my degree program, using all DE classes. I already had a AS degree from a local community college. The courses are challenging but rewarding. I have never had any trouble with financial aid (Both federal and VA), the communication between myself and the school has always been prompt. In fact my advisor will call periodically to make sure everything is okay. With the money it costs to go someplace else with more name recognition, I would look at UMUC. For the adult, working student, UMUC is an excellent place to further ones educaitonal goals. It is not too expensive, the classes are not easy A's, and it is not a diploma mill.