Gen Ed

at the University of Maryland

General Education at the University of Maryland serves to unite the intellectual and creative goals that we have for our students and define the University of Maryland education.

Your checklist

cover of gen folder folder, looks like composition book — All UMD undergrads will have a solid academic foundation.

About the General Education Program and Its Goals:

Develop the skills necessary to succeed in academic careers and in professional lives by establishing habits and understanding of clear writing, effective speaking and presentation, and critical and analytic reasoning.
Strengthen knowledge in major areas of study.
Broaden knowledge of civilizations past and present.
Establish the ability to thrive both intellectually and materially and to support themselves, their families, and their communities through a broad understanding of the world in which they live and work.
Define the ethical imperatives necessary to create a just society in their own communities and in the larger world.

>> Download a fillable PDF of the Gen Ed folder

Text only version

Maryland pendent with terp crawling across it. — Students take Fundamental Studies courses during their first thirty credits.

When do you take Gen Ed courses?

Students will take Fundamental Studies Academic Writing and Math during their first thirty credits. Many other General Education courses will be completed throughout your academic career. For guidance, please see Finding University of Maryland 4-Year Plans for Academic Majors. Your advisor will be able to assist you with selecting courses.

>> View current Gen Ed course offerings

group of students (male and female) huddle together

UMD requires students to complete a minimum of 40 credits of General Education.

The signature program of General Education is the I-Series courses.

Focus on: I-Series and Scholarship in Practice

Architecture Class Leaves Terps on the Edge of Their Seats

Sophomore Will Lee gingerly sits down in a cardboard chair while other students watch

quote mark I told (the students) whenever there’s a crash, they should all stand up and applaud, and they did. Failure is a great learning experience, so you have to celebrate.”

At U. of Maryland, an Effort to Make Introductory Courses Extraordinary

Chronicle of Higher Education (PDF)

animation of computer with person's hands typing

Minimum number of Gen Ed
credits required

Percent of students’ credit towards degree
that are Gen Ed courses

1,000

Estimated number of Gen Ed
courses to choose from