Academic Policies

In accordance with University policy, the A. James Clark School of Engineering has been designated a Limited Enrollment Program (LEP). This allows the School to establish gateway criteria that students must satisfy in order to continue study in an engineering major.

All newly admitted freshmen in the Clark School must complete the courses listed below by 45 University of Maryland credits. AP/IB/transfer credits are not calculated into the 45 credit total, but completion of a course through those means will be accepted for the review.

45 CREDIT REIVIEW CRITERIA (Prior to Spring 2023)

Students admitted directly from high school (not transfer students) will be reviewed as follows:

• Completion of CHEM135 (Chemistry for Engineers) OR CHEM271 OR the combination of CHEM131 (Gen Chem I) and CHEM134 (Chemical Prin. for Engr) each with a minimum grade  of C-
• Completion of ENES100 (Intro to Engineering Design) with a minimum grade of C-
• Completion of MATH141 (Calculus II) with a minimum grade of C-
• Completion of PHYS161 (Physics I) with a minimum grade of C-
• Completion of ENGL 101 (FSAW) with a minimum grade of C-
• Completion of Distributive Studies General Education course in Humanities or History and Social Science with a minimum grade of D-
• A MINIMUM CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 2.0

45-Credit Review Criteria (Starting Spring 2023)

Students admitted directly from high school (not transfer students) are reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Completion of CHEM135 (Chemistry for Engineers) or CHEM271 or the combination of CHEM131 (General Chemistry I) and CHEM134 (Chemical Principles for Engineers), with a minimum grade of C- in each course
• Completion of ENES100 (Introduction to Engineering Design) with a minimum grade of C-
• Completion of MATH141 (Calculus II) with a minimum grade of C-
• Completion of PHYS161 (Physics I) with a minimum grade of C-
• A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

Failing Gateway Requirements

Students who do not meet the 45-credit review requirements must change to a major outside of the Clark School of Engineering and may not reapply to an engineering major.

Students who are required to leave the Clark School may submit a written appeal to the Associate Dean. Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are evaluated based on the extenuating circumstances presented by the student.

All appeal decisions made by the Associate Dean are final.

Course Repeat Policy

Students may repeat only one course, and that course may be repeated only once.

A grade of W (Withdrawal) counts as an attempt. Therefore, if a student withdraws from a course, the next enrollment in that course is considered a repeat attempt, even though no credit or grade points are earned for the withdrawal.

Students who wish to take a course at another institution and transfer the course and credits back to the University of Maryland must submit a Permission to Enroll (PTE) form to the A. James Clark School of Engineering before registering for the course at the other institution.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for PTE approval, students must meet the following requirements:

• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
• Meet all University of Maryland prerequisites for the course.
• Meet all prerequisites required by the other institution.

New freshmen and transfer students must wait until final grades from their first semester at the University of Maryland are posted and a cumulative GPA has been calculated before submitting a PTE request.

Additional Policies

• Students may not repeat a course at another institution if they have already earned a grade in the course. The course must be repeated at the University of Maryland.
• Students may take a course at another institution if they withdrew from the course at UMD and received a W (Withdrawal) notation.
• Student-athletes must complete their first 24 credits at the University of Maryland.
• Effective Fall 2022, students may transfer a maximum of 70 credits from a two-year institution and 90 credits from a four-year institution.
• Students who matriculated to UMD before Fall 2022 may transfer a maximum of 60 credits from a two-year institution.
• The final 30 credits of the degree must be completed at the University of Maryland. In extenuating circumstances, students may submit an Exception to Policy form.

After Completing the Course

Students are responsible for requesting that the other institution send an official transcript to the University of Maryland after the course has been completed.

Submission Timeline

Please do not submit a PTE form until:

• March for Summer or Fall enrollment requests
• The end of October for Winter or Spring enrollment requests

Additional Information

Additional information about the Permission to Enroll in Another Institution process is available on the Forms and Requests page.

All first semester UMD students requesting to take courses at another institution are required to first submit an Exception to Policy form with an explanation of why they will be enroll at two different institutions during the same semester.

• Full-time students are encouraged to complete their undergraduate programs at the University of Maryland within four years. To graduate in four years, students should plan carefully in consultation with an academic advisor, declare a major early, and complete approximately 30 credits each academic year. This is typically accomplished by completing 14–16 credits each semester and fulfilling general education and major requirements in a timely manner.

  Students may follow a different timeline to degree completion based on their academic goals, participation in experiential learning opportunities, personal circumstances, or approved accommodations. Students are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor to develop and regularly review an academic plan that supports their individual path to graduation.

• Students who change majors, declare a major late in their sophomore year, enroll in a limited number of select programs, or take advantage of special opportunities that enrich the undergraduate experience may require up to five years to complete a degree. All students should develop and regularly review a multi-year course plan to complete their intended programs.

  Students whose circumstances affect their ability to maintain a typical full-time course load should meet with an academic advisor to discuss their academic plans, progress toward degree completion, and any implications for enrollment status. Students may also be referred to appropriate campus resources for additional support and guidance.

Incoming first-year students at the University of Maryland are required to attempt ENGL101 within their first 30 credits. Incoming transfer students are required to attempt ENGL101 during their first semester.

Students who do not complete this requirement in a timely manner will have a Fundamental Studies hold placed on their record by the Office of the Registrar. This hold will prevent registration for future courses until the requirement has been addressed.

Students with a Fundamental Studies hold must contact the Office of the Registrar regarding registration procedures and next steps.

For assistance, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 301-314-8240.

• Academic advising is required for all Engineering students each semester.

• Students are notified of their registration appointment times by email. Students may also view their appointment information through TESTUDO.

• Registration appointments are assigned based on the number of applicable credits earned, with students who have accumulated more credits receiving earlier registration appointments.

Incoming Engineering students may enroll in a maximum of 17 credits during their first semester at the University of Maryland.

After their first semester, students may enroll in:

• Up to 18 credits during the fall semester
• Up to 18 credits during the spring semester
• Up to 4 credits during the winter term
• Up to 8 credits during a single summer session

The credit limits listed above are established college policies and apply to all incoming Engineering students. 

Registration Process

Currently enrolled students are assigned registration appointments for early registration. Registration appointments for the fall semester begin in April, and registration appointments for the spring semester begin in late October.

Students may register online through the TESTUDO system or complete registration in person.

For questions about registration procedures, students should contact their academic advisor or the Office of the Registrar.

Schedule Adjustment

The Schedule Adjustment period is the first ten business days of classes during the fall and spring semesters. Similar adjustment periods are designated for the summer and winter terms.

Students should refer to the Academic Deadlines calendar for the exact dates applicable to each term.

Please note that some courses do not follow the standard semester or term schedule. Courses with non-standard meeting dates may have different Schedule Adjustment periods and different deadlines for dropping a course with a grade of "W."

Students should consult the Office of the Registrar's Academic Deadlines calendar and registration information for the specific dates and deadlines that apply to their courses.

Drop Period

Undergraduate students may adjust their schedule (add or drop courses) through the end of the Schedule Adjustment Period.

After the end of Schedule Adjustment, students are limited to dropping a maximum of 4 credits during the Drop Period. The Drop Period for undergraduate students will begin at the close of the schedule adjustment period and terminate at the end of the tenth week of classes during the Fall and Spring semesters and at a corresponding time for Summer sessions. See Academic Deadlines for end of schedule adjustment and last day to drop dates. A mark of "W" (withdrawal) is recorded for credits dropped during the Drop Period.

• Any course may be attempted twice.
• Students may repeat up to 18 credit hours.
• A “W” counts as an attempt.
• Both attempts and grades earned will appear on transcript.
• Both attempts are calculated into the cumulative GPA except for courses originally taken during the first 24 credits (or for transfer students, courses taken during the first semester as a UM student), in which case there is a grace period. If the course is repeated, only the higher grade will count in the UM GPA.

For more information, please visit:  Repeating Policy for Undergraduate Students

Repeat of Courses at Another Institution

Engineering students are not permitted to repeat a course at another institution if they have previously earned a grade in the course (i.e., a grade of D or F). In these cases, students must retake the course at the University of Maryland.

If a student has withdrawn from a course (grade of “W”), they may submit a Permission to Enroll form to request approval to retake the course at another institution.

Satisfactory Academic Progress – Engineering Courses

Students must meet the following academic requirements:

• Earn a grade of C- or better in all major-required courses.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and complete all degree requirements, including any minors, certificates, or double majors.
• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (124 credits minimum for Aerospace Engineering) to graduate.
• All degree-applicable courses must be taken using the regular grading method (A, B, C, etc.).
• Graduation will be denied if any Incompletes (I) or No Grades (NG) remain unresolved.

Transfer Credit Limits

• Effective Fall 2022, no more than 70 credits may transfer from a two-year institution and no more than 90 credits from a four-year institution.
• Students who transferred to UMD prior to Fall 2022 may transfer no more than 60 credits from a two-year institution.