At University of Maryland Global Campus, we recognize the communication and public relations skills and experience you’ve gained throughout your career. We also respect your fluency in reading, writing, and speaking multiple world languages. UMGC understands that promotion, advancement, and professional development in careers in media relations, crisis communication, digital marketing, and more can be greatly enhanced by industry credentials. We offer course credit for popular communication-related certifications and American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) content assessments.
UMGC will award course credit for certifications you’ve earned, allowing you to save time and money while fulfilling course requirements that can be applied to our bachelor’s degrees in communication studies and East Asian studies; our bachelor’s degrees, minors, and undergraduate certificates that require foreign language courses; and our Master of Science in strategic communications.
View Certifications in Your Industry
You may earn UMGC course credit for several of your certifications in multiple industries. UMGC articulates credit for certifications in industries that include accounting, cybersecurity, HR, technology, and more. Access the dropdown menu to review certifications in your business area.
How Your Certifications Equate to UMGC Course Credit
UMGC articulates specific communication and world language certifications to UMGC course credit as follows. If you have any questions about an existing articulation, a certification with a UMGC course equivalency that is not yet determined, or a certification that does not appear on this list, please contact Student Records.
| Industry Certification | Organization Offering Certification | Course Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ACTFL Listening Proficiency Test (LPT) | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) | FOLA 116TR (3–12 credits)*§ |
| ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) Tester Certification | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) | FOLA 116TR (3–9 credits)*§ and/or FOLA 316TR (3–6 credits)*§ |
| ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPIc) Tester Certification | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) | FOLA 116TR (3–9 credits)*§ and/or FOLA 316TR (3–6 credits)*§ |
| ACTFL Reading Proficiency Test (RPT) | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) | FOLA 116TR (2–6 credits)*§ |
| ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) | FOLA 116TR (3–9 credits)*§ and/or FOLA 316TR (2–6 credits)*§ |
| Communication Management Professional (CMP) | Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) | (3 Credits, COMM 302) and (3 Credits, JOUR 330) |
| Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) | Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) | DCL 600†; Or (3 Credits, MSCP 600) and (3 Credits, MSCP 605)† |
| Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) | Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) | DCL 600†; Or (3 Credits, MSCP 600) and (3 Credits, MSCP 605)† |
* A course equivalent listed with “TR” (e.g., ACCT 116TR or ACCT 316TR) represents a non-direct equivalency in the specific discipline indicated. "116TR" signifies lower-level credit (100-299), and"316TR" signifies upper-level credit (300-499).
§ FOLA 116TR or FOLA 316TR serves as a placeholder for foreign language exams. "116TR" signifies lower-level credit (100-299) and "316TR" signifies upper-level credit (300-499). The actual language (e.g., FREN, SPAN) will be reflected, and credits awarded depend on the score and the date of the exam.
† You may earn credit for different courses based on your chosen academic program. If you have any additional questions about this process, contact your academic advisor or success coach.
