University Of Maryland Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Cir, Baltimore, MD 21250, United States

Our Mission UMBC is a dynamic public research university integrating teaching, research and service to benefit the citizens of Maryland. As an Honors University, the campus offers academically talented students a strong undergraduate liberal arts foundation that prepares them for graduate and professional study, entry into the workforce, and community service and leadership. UMBC emphasizes science, engineering, information technology, human services and public policy at the graduate level. UMBC contributes to the economic development of the State and the region through entrepreneurial initiatives, workforce training, K-16 partnerships, and technology commercialization in collaboration with public agencies and the corporate community. UMBC is dedicated to cultural and ethnic diversity, social responsibility and lifelong learning. Our Vision Our UMBC community redefines excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture that connects innovative teaching and learning, research across disciplines, and civic engagement. We will advance knowledge, economic prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds.

Students may choose between a thesis option MS degree or non-thesis option MS degree. A minimum of 30 credits is required for either option. At least 18 of these 30 credits must be taken at the 600-level or higher.

Core Requirements


All students must complete the core curriculum of

Thesis Option


Students selecting the thesis option MS must complete a further 16 credits of coursework approved by the Graduate Program Director, and a minimum of 6 credits of PHYS 799. In addition, students must write and defend a thesis before a Master’s Thesis Examination Committee formed in accordance with Graduate School policies.

Non-Thesis Option


Students selecting the non-thesis option MS must complete a further 22 credits of coursework approved by the Graduate Program Director, write a scholarly paper, and pass the written Qualifying Exam at the MS level. The Qualifying Exam must be passed within the first two years of the program.

https://catalog.umbc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=34&poid=6303

Usually, our international applicants can only be in a Master’s or Ph.D. program. International students residing in the United States who have a pertinent immigration status, meet the required language proficiency, and possess appropriate academic preparation may be considered for non-degree or certificate status. International applicants are required to provide an official English language transcript and a native language transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. Each set of documents must list subjects studied, grades or marks received, and rank in class or division.

The Graduate School at UMBC will accept official WES ICAP Course-by-Course evaluations as fulfillment of the requirement for official transcripts in the admissions process. The WES evaluation is optional. The Graduate School needs to receive either an official WES evaluation or official transcripts. The WES ICAP Course-by-Course evaluation includes copies of the official transcripts and degree certificates that have been verified by WES, and it includes a course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation must be sent directly from WES to the UMBC Graduate School in order to be considered official.

 

English Proficiency

An English proficiency test is required for most international students. The Graduate School at UMBC accepts TOEFL, DuoLingo (most programs), IELTS, and Pearson PTEA. The Graduate School has a minimum TOEFL score of 80, but certain academic programs may require a higher score. MyBest scores and single date test scores for the TOEFL are both acceptable. We also now accept the TOEFL Essentials test. The minimum score on the TOEFL Essentials test is 8.5. Our ETS institution code is 5835.

DuoLingo scores are accepted by most graduate programs of the Graduate School. Minimum scores vary depending on program requirements. The minimum score required by the Graduate School is 115. Please consult the program pages of the program to which you are applying for the specific score required.

The IELTS minimum is a total score of 6.5 for students wishing to study at UMBC. A minimum score of 53 is required on the PTE Academic test. Some programs require higher scores. Please refer to our available Programs & Degrees for specific admission requirements.

https://umbc.edu/admissions/graduate/international-applicants/

FALL Semester application deadlines:

  • Domestic Students – July 1st
  • International Students – March 1st
    • approximate August 20th on-campus/in-person requirement

SPRING Semester application deadlines:

  • Domestic Students – December 1st
  • International Students – November 1st
    • approximate January 24th on-campus/in-person requirement

Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis

https://edhs.umbc.edu/graduate-program/general-information-graduate-program/admission-requirements-deadlines/