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Mission & History

EXPLORE MORE OF UMGC

UMGC has been offering quality educational opportunities to students around the world for 75+ years.

Our Mission

The mission of UMGC is to inspire hope, empower dreams, and transform lives . . . one student at a time. We accomplish this by:

  • Operating as Maryland's open university, serving working adults, military servicemembers and their families, and veterans who reside in Maryland, across the United States, and around the world
  • Providing our students with affordable, open access to valued, quality higher education
  • Serving as a recognized leader in career-relevant education, embracing innovation and change aligned with our purpose, and sharing our perspectives and expertise

Core Values

The core values of UMGC support its institutional vision for the future of learning and ensure the fidelity of the university’s commitment to its learners and community.  

  • Celebrate Diversity: Our welcoming of diverse perspectives and ideas differentiates us and drives innovation 
  • Optimize Agility: Curiosity and adaptability—informed and guided by data—drive continuous improvement and transformation  
  • Reach Beyond: Courage and willingness to challenge boundaries lead to transformative solutions, for our institution and our learners alike 
  • Embrace Collaboration: Teamwork, effective communication, and clarity of purpose drive success 

The UMGC Story

With 75+ years of experience serving working adults, servicemembers, and their families, UMGC knows what your unique academic journey entails: hard work, perseverance, and determination. Student success is what we are made for. That focus is why we are committed to having your back every step along the path toward achieving your educational goals.

We’ll support your commitment to be a successful student while balancing everything else in your life. With more than 135 programs —for where you are and where you want to be. Step up to the challenge at UMGC.

Our Rich History

UMGC was founded in 1947 as the College of Special and Continuation Studies, a branch of the University of Maryland's College of Education, with locations in College Park and around the state. Beginning in 1949, UMGC was the first university to send faculty overseas to educate active-duty military personnel in Europe. 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.

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.

Explore Our History

UMGC's Traveling Faculty

Learn how UMGC's overseas faculty launched programs for servicemembers around the world.
Read Their Stories

Chancellors and Presidents

UMGC's chancellors and presidents have provided strong leadership to the university for decades.
Meet Previous Leaders

Contact Us

Our helpful admissions advisors can help you choose an academic program to fit your career goals, estimate your transfer credits, and develop a plan for your education costs that fits your budget. If you’re a current UMGC student, please visit the Help Center.

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