Remote Advising

As UMBC continues to monitor COVID-19 closely and works to ensure the safety and well-being of our community, we recognize your continued access to academic advising support will be necessary. Therefore, following university guidance regarding COVID-19, UMBC will facilitate all academic advising remotely in preparation for the spring 2021 semester.

Remote Advising FAQs

How will I receive spring 2021 academic advising?

Spring 2021 Advance Registration for undergraduates will begin November 3rd. As a reminder, undergraduates must meet (remotely) with their academic advisor to receive clearance before registering. 

Students will be offered a range of options for accessing and meeting with their academic advisor (remotely), including, but not limited to, Google Calendar, WebEx, Google Hangout Meets, email and phone.  We encourage you to keep an eye out for more specific details from your academic department regarding updated advising protocols.

What can I do to prepare for my advising appointment?

  • Check out your Registration Guide, complete with step by step directions on the entire advising and registration process and review your Degree Audit.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor. Please keep an eye out for more specific details from your department or academic advisor regarding advising protocols.
  • Review the Spring 2021 Schedule of Classes, available online beginning October 26, and put together a tentative schedule using the Scheduler. 
  • Check your myUMBC account to be sure you have no outstanding obligations that could prevent you from registering, i.e., past due balances, vaccinations, etc.  If you have an administrative hold, you will have already received a myUMBC alert.  Keep in mind, you can still receive advising clearance, even if you have an administrative hold.
  • Consider enrolling in Winter 2021 to stay on track or get ahead.  Winter 2021 registration will be available October 19. 

Do you have questions regarding UMBC Academic Requirements, Regulations, and Policy?

View UMBC's Academic Requirements and Regulations in the Undergraduate Catalog and and get to know your policy options and take charge of your academic career with the Academic Success Center.

I am planning to graduate in fall 2020 or spring 2021. Is there additional information I need to know?

If you are planning to graduate in Fall 2020 or Spring 2021, please review the Eligibility for Undergraduate Commencement Participation and Honors Eligibility Requirements.

Additional Remote Learning Information and Resources

USG Information and Resources

USG COVID-19 Updates
Updated regularly with important news, dates, and changes.

USG Community Resources During COVID-19
Resources for both currents students in programs at USG and for any community members who need them.

USG Priddy Library Access
An overview of the availability of and access to library programs, and services during this time.

Knowing Your USG Resources
Do you want to get involved in student orgs? Learn more about services offered by the library? Don't know what you don't know? Start with this quick reference guide to learn more about the service centers and support services at the USG!

UMBC Information and Resources

UMBC’s COVID-19 Response
UMBC is committed to keeping our community safe, healthy, and informed. Please check this website for updated information on COVID-19. This website will be updated as information changes.

UMBC Tips for Academic Success during COVID-19
Tips on staying on schedule, staying connected and staying organized.

Academic Success Center Business Continuity Plan
Information is available at this link about how to access Academic Success Center Services through alternative formats during the campus response to COVID-19

Student Business Services
SBS is the office that bills students, collects tuition and fees and issues student refunds. Contact them with questions regarding billing and payments.

University Health Services
During the remote instruction period, University Health Services will be providing services remotely using phone and audio/video services weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Students who have not submitted their mandatory immunization form will be given an extension of August 31st.

External Information and Resources

Xfinity Hotspots
All Xfinity WiFi Public Hotspots are now open to everyone

Free Textbook Access
Many publishers are offering free access to books and other materials:


Advisors

Academic Advising at UMBC starts with an Orientation Advisor specifically trained to help you with securing a strategic course schedule to launch your academic career. However, once you begin your study here at UMBC-Shady Grove, you will then have the opportunity to work with a faculty member and/or professional advisor affiliated with your chosen academic discipline. Before making your advising appointment, check your registration eligibility. Please see a list of advisors per program listed below:

Undergraduate Advisors

Computer Science
History
Political Science
Psychology
Social Work
Translational Life Science Technology (TLST)

If you have questions or concerns about advising services, please contact Abigail Granger, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Recruitment and Retention, abigail3@umbc.edu, 301-738-6281.

Graduate Advisors

Biotechnology
Data Science
Cybersecurity
Geographic Information Systems
I/O Psychology
Technical Management


Important note: While one faculty member or professional advisor will provide registration clearance for you each semester, we encourage students to seek additional academic and career planning from various members of the UMBC academic and administrative community. High-Performing UMBC students gather information, recommendations and guidance from a host of faculty, advisors and administrators- keen to help them maximize the opportunities and resources available at UMBC. Additionally, we encourage students to actively pursue conversations and meetings with academic advisors, faculty, and staff throughout the entire academic year. Advising sessions about registration are certainly important, yet on-going conversations and planning about graduate school, independent study, and/or gaining entry into a particular profession can (and should) take place at various times and in various formats (including email, telephone, etc.).

Advising Guides

Please use the advising guides below and our degree audit help video to help you prepare for your advising meetings and to track your progress throughout your time at UMBC-Shady Grove:

Undergraduate Programs


Graduate Programs



General Education Requirements and Waivers

Foreign Language

UMBC requires students to complete a foreign language through the intermediate level (for Montgomery College, this is the 201-level). American Sign Language qualifies.

Substitution options:

Physical Education (PE) Waivers

On November 13, 2018, as an information item, the Faculty Senate was presented with a draft resolution that would support an administrative proposal to eliminate the current physical education requirement. On December 11, 2018, the Faculty Senate approved the resolution. Below are anticipated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the resolution and its implications.

https://academicpolicy.umbc.edu/physical-education-resolution-faq/

Cross-Campus Enrollment

Cross-campus enrollment is an option available to students to provide enrollment flexibility between the Main Campus in Catonsville and the Shady Grove campus in Rockville. While students may take advantage of the cross-campus enrollment option at any point throughout the academic year, priority enrollment consideration is based on a student's primary campus designation. The processes and procedures to request enrollment vary depending upon the semester/session. Please view the catalog for instructions HERE.

CROSS-CAMPUS ENROLLMENT REQUEST FORM

Additional Resources

UMBC Resources

UMBC's Academic Success Center
Access to tutoring and the Writing Center.

Student Disability Services 
Find answers about accommodations, appointments, and general questions.

UMBC's Registrar's Office
Submitting VOT Forms and Change of Major Forms.

Financial Aid Services
Information about financial assistance, scholarships and contacting your financial aid counselor.

UMBC Office of Technology
Related Links
Microsoft 365 (free)
RT Ticket Request
Blackboard Wiki
Remote chat, voice and/or video support (during business hours)

Student Business Services
Information about student billing, tuition and fees, issuing student refunds.

University Health Services
Provides outpatient primary care clinical services, health promotion initiatives, and outreach.

USG Resources

USG Priddy Library
Course reserves information & chat with a member of the library Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 10 PM

Librarian contact information:

USG Center for Counseling and Consultation  
Counseling appointments, workshops, and support available.

Macklin Center for Academic Success
Writing support, academic coaching, and library support.

USG Center for Student Engagement and Financial Resources
Information about financial and scholarship resources and support and student organizations

USG Career and Internship Services Center
Career coaching and Career Connector