The Smith School's Plus 1 program allows students in approved programs (Smith, BSOS, ARHU and Public Health) to take up to 10 credits of graduate-level business courses at the undergraduate tuition rate while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Students from non-approved programs may participate in the Smith School's Plus 1 program by receiving individualized approval. This page serves as a guide for current Plus 1 undergraduate students to navigate the masters program.
Plus 1 students are undergraduate status while earning credits toward a bachelor’s degree. After completing a bachelor’s degree, and after being formally admitted to the Graduate School, students complete master’s degree credits as graduate students.
Key Masters Programs Office Staff Members
Academic Advisor for Master of Finance - Feven Girmay
Academic Advisor for Master of Quantitative Finance - Feven Girmay
Academic Advisor for MS in Accounting - Kathleen McAleese
Academic Advisor for MS in Management Studies - Kim Gonzalez
Academic Advisor for MS in Business Analytics - vacant, contact: smith-mpo-msba-cp@umd.edu
Academic Advisor for MS in Information Systems - Leean Thomas
Academic Advisor for MS in Marketing Analytics - Kathleen McAleese
Academic Advisor for MS in Supply Chain Management - Gabrielle (Gigi) Gibson
Billing and Financial Aid Assistance - smithfinancials@umd.edu
Financial Award Assistance - Eugenia Martin
Director of Business Master's Programs - Amy Swann
Staff are in the Masters Programs Office, 2308 Van Munching Hall, (301) 405-9565
Academic Calendar and Term System
The masters program Academic Calendar is DIFFERENT from the University of Maryland Academic Calendar that is followed for undergraduate courses. Often times the semester will start earlier or have different breaks.
Masters courses usually operate on a Term system (Terms are 7 weeks long; there are 2 terms in each semester). Course dates are listed in Testudo.
Course Request Process
Course schedules for fall are usually in place by mid-March, and course schedules for spring are usually in place by mid-October.
All Plus 1 students should plan to meet with the appropriate masters advisor to discuss course planning each semester.
When choosing courses, factors to consider are undergraduate equivalents, course timing, interest, and track selection (Accounting & Finance).
Non-Standard Course Dates
Smith School masters courses are considered non-standard courses. These courses have different Schedule Adjustment periods and Drop with 'W' dates. Please refer to the Registrar's Non-Standard Course Dates page for non-standard course dates and deadlines.
Graduate School Policies
Students enrolled in graduate-level courses are bound by all standards and policies set by the UMD Graduate School; see https://gradschool.umd.edu/policies.
Policies most relevant to Plus 1 students include:
- Students are required to have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA for Graduate School permission to register for graduate-level classes
- Students are required to have a B- or better in their graduate-level course in order for a class to be double counted toward the bachelor and masters degrees
- Students must begin their master’s program in the term after completing their bachelor’s degree
- Pursuing masters courses must not delay the completion of the bachelor's degree
Classroom Name Tents
All students taking masters-level courses are encouraged to use a name tent in their classrooms. Plus 1 students can order a name tent at https://networth.rhsmith.umd.
Curricula
As a reference for the courses that masters students take, below are links to the current curricula. Every student should discuss a personalized academic plan with their masters Advisor.
Master of Quantitative Finance
Financials
Tuition and fees are calculated for each semester based on whether a student is undergraduate status or graduate status and whether a student is in-state or out-of-state.
As an undergraduate Plus 1: Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree are charged tuition and fees based on their school’s undergraduate tuition and fees.
As a graduate student: Students pursuing a master’s degree are charged Smith School graduate tuition and fees.
Undergraduate versus graduate status: Plus 1 students are considered undergraduate status while they are still pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and can earn no more than 10 graduate credits. Plus 1 students must be formally admitted as a graduate student to complete the remaining 20+ credits required for their master’s degree.
Career Services
Smith School Career Service Policy for Plus 1 Students