Pre-Skills

Students join the Smith School with a variety of technical skills and educational and professional backgrounds. The resources below have been compiled to assist incoming students with preparing for their master's coursework.

UMD students have unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, an online library of instructional videos covering the latest software, creative, and business skills. 

Optional Assignments and Reading

Incoming students do not need to be proficient with all of these tools prior to the start of classes, however, having some prior experience could help them learn more effectively.

• Business Writing and Communications
  • LinkedIn Learning: Tips for Better Business Writing
  • LinkedIn Learning: Communication within Teams 
  • LinkedIn Learning: Communication Foundations
  • LinkedIn Learning: Own Your Voice: Improve Presentations and Executive Presence
  • A Plain English Handbook: How to Create Clear SEC Disclosure Documents
• Excel (for students with no Excel experience)
  • LinkedIn Learning: Excel Essential Training
• Tableau
  • LinkedIn Learning: Tableau Essential Training
  • LinkedIn Learning: Improve Your Tableau Skills
• Power BI
  • LinkedIn Learning: Power BI Essential Training
• Python
  • LinkedIn Learning: Python Statistics Essential Training
  • LinkedIn Learning: Advanced Python