Frequently Asked Questions

• Important Dates, Courses, and Registration
• ELMS, Email, and Software
• Departmental and Campus Services
• Graduate Forms and Financial Aid

Important Dates, Courses, and Registration [Back To FAQ]

1. Where can I find an updated list of courses, schedule and contact information?

• The best place to locate all pertinent information regarding the MPS and GCPS GEOINT programs is to visit the program website at https://geospatial.umd.edu/education/overview

2.  How do I register for MPS courses?

• Prior to registering each term, you will have an online advising block that will prohibit you from registering.  Complete the Online Advising form. After it is reviewed by the MPS program, your block will be lifted (estimate time: 24 hours).
• With the UMD email account, you can go to TESTUDO at http://www.testudo.umd.edu/ to register for the courses online by yourself. Register for ALL courses by:

1. Clicking on Registration (Drop/Add)
2. Logging into your account
3. Adding your desired courses
4. Click Submit and Sign-off

• Once you get your UMD account and register for classes, you will be automatically added to ELMS (http://elms.umd.edu). The instructors will send you the syllabus and other information before the class starts. Please note that you can attend the lectures and lab sessions either in real classroom or online. 

3.  What are the course dates, schedule adjustment periods, and withdrawal deadlines?

• MPS courses do not meet for the standard semester or term dates. Courses with non-standard dates have different Schedule Adjustment periods and Drop with 'W' dates.
• Non-standard course date listings and schedule adjustment periods can be found HERE; 
• 12 week course Academic deadlines can be found HERE
• Schedule Adjustment information can be found HERE

4.  Where can I find an Incomplete Contract?

• If for any reason you are unable to complete all of the material for a course by the end of the course's term, you need to discuss this with the course instructor and fill out an Incomplete Contract 
• Send a copy of the signed contract to Krisen Bergery at kbergery [at] umd.edu

5. What is the MPS academic schedule?

• The schedule for each term changes slightly each year but is approximated as follows. You can find the schedule for the current year here: https://geospatial.umd.edu/education/study-plan

6.  What are the registration dates for each term for MPS GEOINT courses?

• The following are registration dates for each term:

• The Graduate School requires continuous registration.  If you need to miss a term, you must fill out a Waiver of Continuous Registration and email it to Kristen Bergery at kbergery [at] umd.edu before the start of the term.

8. What are the Graduate School policies and how can I request a modification?

• All Graduate Schhol students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to retain admission status
• Some students are admitted provisionally. These students must receive a B or higher in all classes the first term or year.
• For a request of modify policy, a Waiver of Regulation must be filled out and emailed to Kristen Bergery at kbergery [at] umd.edu
• A complete list of the Graduation School policies can be found HERE

ELMS, Email, and Software [Back To FAQ]

1. Where do I go to receive my photo identification card?

• Where to get your ID? What happens if you lose your ID? What programs and services are accessible with your ID? etc. You can find important information about students IDs here: http://registrar.umd.edu/current/Policies/id-cards.html
• For Lefrak Hall 24/7 access please contact Liz Smith at lizsmith [at] umd.edu

2. Where can I access free software such as office tools, downloads, design and productions and more?

• The University of Maryland provides free downloads of many software packages via Terpware: https://terpware.umd.edu

3. My ArcGIS license code has expired, where can I get a new one?

• Please contact Kristen Bergery at kbergery [at] umd.edu
• Note: You can download and use ArcGIS Pro alongside ArcGIS for Desktop using your existing EVA license code: http://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/get-started/install-and-sign-in-to-arcgis-pro.ht

4. How do I log into the VMware?

• You can find all the steps to logging into the VMware by clicking here: 

VMware Instructions for Windows; 
VMware Instructions for Mac

5. Who do I contact about issues relating to the GEOG servers or VMware?

• Please contact our tech staff at geoghelp [at] geog.umd.edu

6. Who do I contact about issues relating to ELMS, such as log-in problems?

• ELMS offers 24/7 tech support at https://umd.service-now.com/itsc

7. How do I create and log in to my University email account?

• TERPmail is the email client used for the University of Maryland.
  • This link will guide you in creating your student Terpmail (email) account: https://cgi.oit.umd.edu/cgi-bin/account/activation.cgi
• With your Terpmail you will be able to access many UMD resources online.
  • How to activate your TERPmail: http://goingterpmail.umd.edu/user_actions.html

Departmental and Campus Services [Back To FAQ]

1. Where can I find information about the department's Computer Lab hours and policy?
   • The Department of Geographical Sciences has open computer labs in 1136 and 1138 LeFrak Hall. Open hours can be found at https://geog.umd.edu/content/lab-conduct-policy
2. Where can I find information regarding on campus parking, shuttle information, maps and visitor directions?
   • The Department of Transportation Services has many helpful links and guides for on campus parking and shuttle information using the following links:
     • Parking http://www.transportation.umd.edu/student.html
     • Shuttle UM: http://www.transportation.umd.edu/shuttle.html
     • Directions to Mowatt Lane Garage: https://goo.gl/maps/1zjew2M9UCt
     • Directions to LeFrak Hall from Mowatt Lane: http://maps.umd.edu/map/
3. Where can I find information about recreational services?
   • You can find out about University gym memberships. Personal training and intramural sports and other facilities here: http://recwell.umd.edu/
4. Where can I find online resources to supplement the knowledge and skills that we learn in class?

• All UMD students have free access to Lynda.com, an online library with thousands of videos and tutorials on a wide range of skills such as Python Programming, R Programming, and Web Programming. You can find the UMD login page for Lynda here: http://lyndatraining.umd.edu/

MPS & GC Graduation Process  [Back To FAQ]

I am ready to graduate! What do I need to do?

If you are graduating with either a Master's Degree or a Graduate Certificate, follow these steps:

• Complete an Application for Graduation within the first TEN DAYS of the term in which you will graduate.
  1. MPS application (online)
  2. GC application-Complete and return directly to diploma [at] umd.edu

Masters Students-Complete the following three forms. Be sure to use:

• Graduate Program code: MPGI
• Supporting Area: Leave Blank
• Area of Specialization: Leave Blank

1. Approved Program Form-Please fill out the personal information at the top of the form and scan it back to Kristen Bergery at kbergery [at] umd.edu.  The rest of the form will be completed and scanned to Graduate School directly by the MPS program staff. Fall graduates: Due by December 1st 
2. uAchieve Audit Sheets-Run your audit for the MPGI program. open all sections in your audit sheet. Take a screenshot of the audit and email it to Kristen Bergery at kbergery [at] umd.edu  Fall graduates: Due by December 1st 

Graduate Certificate Students-Complete the following form:

1. Graduate Certificate Completion Form-Please fill out the personal information at the top of the form and scan it back to Kristen Bergery at kbergery [at] umd.edu.  The rest of the form will be completed and scanned to Graduate School directly by the MPS program staff.   Due by the end of the first week of classes in the term in which you will graduate

Graduate Forms and Financial Aid  [Back To FAQ]

1. Where can I find Health Forms such as Immunization, Medical history etc.?
   • The University Health Center requires each student to complete and submit an immunization form in order to remove registration blocks. You can find the forms here: http://www.health.umd.edu/about/forms
2. Where can I find graduate school forms?
   • If you need any forms such as financial, petition and/or waiver you can find them here: http://gradschool.umd.edu/forms
   • General requirements for the UMD graduate school can be found here: https://gradschool.umd.edu/behavioralsocial-sciences/mpgi
   • Admission requirements specific to the MPS program can be found here: https://geospatial.umd.edu/education/admission
3. Where can I access and pay my student bill or view my student account balance?
   • The Office of Student Financial Services and Cashiering (formerly Bursar's office): billpay.umd.edu
   • It includes everything students need to know about billing, payments, and refunds.  The website also has the resources faculty and staff need to initiate charges – including CCP and SAR forms. 
   • Billing is run on the 25th of each month. Payment is due on the 20th of each month.
   • Students and families with questions about their accounts will continue to call us at (301) 314-9000 or visit us in the Financial Service Center, Suite 1135 in the Lee Building. 
4. Does MPS GEOINT program provide financial aids (scholarships, assistantships, etc.)?
   • Unfortunately, MPS GEOINT program does not provide financial support. Students are encouraged to seek support from their employers or external opportunities.
     • Students are eligible for Graduate Assistant positions offered by the University of Maryland that can help cover some of their tuitions. Positions can be found here: https://ejobs.umd.edu
     • Internships are available to students from different agencies and organizations.
     • Students are eligible to participate in federal scholarship programs.
5. What are the requirements for a loan?
   • If you need any information on loan requirements or financial aid you can go to the Office of Student Financial Aid website at http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/loans/
   • If you have any specific questions about loan requirements you can contact: Malina Heng at mheng [at] umd.edu or 301-314-9859
6. Currently serving or served in the army? Know your education benefits?
   • Serving in the Armed Forces gives you great benefits including education. More information about education benefit for a servicemember, veteran, or family member can be found here: http://www.military.com/education/getting-your-degree/know-your-education-benefits.html