Our Mission, History, and Values

In the early 1950s, UMGC was also asked to provide the Department of Defense with guaranteed education in Asia and to operate the evening and weekend classes for the University of Maryland.

In 1959, University of Maryland’s Board of Regents changed the college's name to University College, a British term for an institution that takes courses and programs from all academic departments and offers them outside of the university's walls and normal class times.

In 1964, UMGC opened the five-story Center of Adult Education as its headquarters, providing office space, conference rooms, a formal dining room, and 116 guest rooms.

In 1970, UMGC transitioned into an independent institution, and in 1978, the university established the Graduate School of Management and Technology, offering master's degree programs tailored to the needs of mid- and upper-level managers in the workforce.

In the mid-1990s, the university offered its first online courses and quickly grew into one of the largest public providers of online education in the nation, offering more than 680 distinct courses online and recording more than 175,000 individual online course enrollments in 2007.

In 2019, we changed our name to University of Maryland Global Campus to better reflect our global presence and ongoing mission of serving the education needs of working adults and military students around the world.

UMGC now serves more than 80,000 students worldwide and boasts 20+ locations in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia and an on-site presence in 170+ worldwide locations—including military bases in more than 20 countries and territories.

With headquarters in Adelphi, Maryland, and administrative offices in Asia and Europe, UMGC offers more than 90 degrees, specializations, and certificates, most available entirely online taught by faculty members who bring real-world experience to online and on-site classrooms.

1947
The College of Special and Continuation Studies, or CSCS, is established within the University of Maryland's College of Education.

1949
CSCS is separated from the College of Education, becoming a new college within the University of Maryland.

1957
Within its first decade, CSCS is so successful that it becomes a separate degree-granting college of the University of Maryland.

1959
The institution's name is changed from CSCS to University College, but it remains an entity within the University of Maryland.

1970
University College is incorporated as University of Maryland University College—UMUC—independent of University of Maryland, College Park, and becomes one of the original five institutions that make up the new University of Maryland network.

1988
A merger of the five members of the University of Maryland network, including UMUC, and the six members of the State University and College System of Maryland creates the University of Maryland System, with 11 degree-granting institutions.

1997
The University of Maryland System name is changed to University System of Maryland, or USM.

2017
UMUC remains a member of USM, which now includes 12 degree-granting institutions and two regional centers.

Students First

These are the people who make our work possible.

Accountability

We are each responsible for our overall success.

Diversity

Each individual brings value to our efforts and results.

Integrity

Our principles and standards are never compromised.

Excellence

Quality is the hallmark of our work.

Innovation

We advance so others can benefit from our leadership.

Respect

The rights and feelings of others are always considered.

People Always

Our faculty and staff represent our differentiator and competitive advantage.