Pre-Skills

Updated June 13, 2025

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.

Online MS in Management Studies students must have the following software ready to use on their personal computers before the first day of class:

Online MS in Management Studies students will also be utilizing the following software in their first fall:

Other programs that may be used include:

  

Required Pre-Semester Asynchronous Course 

Students who do not already have a strong familiarity with Microsoft Excel should complete the following no later than August 17, 2025:

  

Optional Asynchronous 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.