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Yes, the School of Graduate Studies does have a mission, vision, ethos, and strategic plan.
Mission: The mission of the School of Graduate Studies is to empower scholars, practitioners, and researchers to become agents of innovation and leaders of change through distinctive, relevant, and rigorous education.
Vision: The School of Graduate Studies aspires to be the global leader in health and biomedical graduate education and research by cultivating students who solve critical world problems.
Ethos: Over the FY21 Academic Year, School of Graduate Studies faculty and staff defined four core “ethos” to the school through a collaborative and participatory process to scaffold into UMB’s larger core values. These include:
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan: The School of Graduate Studies Strategic plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is underpinned by our Ethos of “Belongingness” and lead by the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as well as by the school’s Chief Diversity Officer. High level goals include:
Strategic Plan:
The School of Graduate Studies’s strategic plan was developed through an inclusive process with faculty, staff, students, and degree program leaders across the university. The strategic plan focuses on eleven strategic objectives to be achieved over the next five years:
The School of Graduate Studies’ leadership team includes:
The School of Graduate Studies’ has 60 Ph.D., M.S., and PBC academic programs, some of which are affiliated with other schools at UMB while others are led entirely within the school. When an academic program is affiliated with one of the other six schools (Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Social Work, Nursing and Pharmacy) they are referred to as “affiliated” programs and typically have some state-funded support. The School of Graduate Studies supports the affiliated programs by managing the admissions, enrollment, schedule adjustments, grades, courses, GPA audits, and degree certifications for students. The School of Graduate Studies also provides a portion of the funding for Graduate Research Assistants in affiliated programs as agreed upon with each School’s Dean. Except for the initial application fee, any tuition/fees or other types of revenue are collected by the school where the affiliated program is based. For admissions and enrollment support, Drs. Niya Werts and MJ Bondy are the interim points of contact for the school-based directors of the affiliated programs. For student affairs support, Dr. Erin Golembewski is the best point of contact.
Over the past seven years, the School of Graduate Studies has added nearly 20 academic programs responsive to adult and post-traditional learners. We have also created a Physician Assistant training program. These degrees are referred to as “central self-supporting" or “CSS” programs because the tuition collected from these programs is the only funding source. For central self-supporting programs, the School of Graduate Studies hires faculty with primary appointments in the School of Graduate Studies through its’ own AP policy and occasionally partners with the other six Schools to identify faculty who desire additional teaching duties. Faculty with primary appointments are employees of the School of Graduate Studies instead of other Schools on campus. Drs. Niya Werts and MJ Bondy are Interim Assistant Deans of Academic Programs and are responsible for the central-self-supporting academic degree programs and Dr. Cheri Hendrix, Assistant Dean of Physician Assistant Education is responsible for the Physician Assistant academic program.
Central Self-Supporting programs include:
Affiliated Programs include:
The School of Graduate Studies has a complex financial picture. Some initiatives are supported by state lines, perpetual state awards, or national grants, while other programs are self-supporting, and rely exclusively on revenue from student enrollment.
In our affiliated degree programs (collaborative degrees with the other schools) all the revenue collected, except application fees, flows back to the school who operates the academic program to support Graduate Research Assistants. The sources of revenue for affiliated programs include DRIF, student stipends, health insurance premiums, and student tuition remission. In fiscal year 2022, the School of Graduate Studies contributed a total of $1,702,905 from these sources of revenue. Full financial accounting related to the affiliated programs ar available upon request from the program directors.
In the central self-supporting programs, as the name implies, revenue sources come from student tuition and fees, grants, and independent state appropriations. State resources dedicated to affiliated degree programs are never utilized to subsidize self-supporting programs. However, in emerging models self-supporting revenues may be used to support doctoral education by funding additional GRA positions.
From idea to launch a new degree can take at least 18 months to create and build. Support for developing new degrees depends on the revenue model. Each school has its own process in the development of new degrees and interested faculty should consult with their academic deans or appropriate contacts when interested in developing a new program. The Provost’s Office can assist any program director or Dean who wishes to develop a new academic program for their School. Additionally, the School of Graduate Studies can assist by providing advice and guidance in degree program proposal construction.
For CSS programs, Drs. Niya Werts and Mary Jo Bondy closely the Dean, Dr. Kenneth Wong, and the Committee on Academic Degree Planning and Enrollment Growth to vet and build new academic programs.
Admissions - The School of Graduate Studies assists in the promotion of its graduate programs and provides and manages the application for admission and related processes. Candidates for admission apply directly to the School of Graduate Studies; the School of Graduate Studies processes application materials, provides these materials to the degree programs, and provides ‘applicant status’ information to programs and to applicants. The School of Graduate Studies notifies applicants for admission with an official letter of denial or admission, and additionally issues new student enrollment information (i.e., information on housing, on obtaining email accounts, registering for classes, obtaining student ID’s, etc.) throughout the year.
Enrollments/Progressions - Once students are enrolled, the School of Graduate Studies provides information on and support for the course selection and student registration process. Additionally, the School of Graduate Studies handles schedule adjustments (late add/drops/wd’s, etc) and identifies, monitors, and communicates with those experiencing enrollment interruptions (‘stop-outs,’ withdrawals, Leave of Absence requests).
The School of Graduate Studies provides support services to the degree programs by posting grades, providing class lists and handling various other schedule adjustment and grade audit processes. The School of Graduate Studies also manages the ‘GPA/Academic Audit’ process; the identification of, and due process notification to, students not in compliance with the School of Graduate Studies’s GPA/academic progress requirements.
Additionally, the School of Graduate Studies manages the various course offerings schedules; the maintenance and activation and of course offerings each term, the addition or elimination of course sections, and the review and approval (or disapproval) of new courses.
Degree Certification - The School of Graduate Studies provides the timetable and guidelines for the processing of students’ degree completion. Specifically, in concert with the degree programs, the School of Graduate Studies process applications for diplomas, committee nomination forms, application for admission to candidacy forms, etc.; processes and reviews theses and dissertations; provides dissertation defense notices; processes Certification of Completion forms and undertakes the degree requirements completion checklist requirement.
Other - The School of Graduate Studies is the official PBC, MS and PhD admitting and degree-awarding unit of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Accordingly, this unit provides the general admission, progression and degree completion policies, guidelines, and requirements. Additionally, the School of Graduate Studies undertakes graduate student reports and reporting; maintains and updates the School of Graduate Studies Catalog; maintains and updates the School of Graduate Studies website; and manages and maintains graduate student records and officiates the School of Graduate Studies calendar.
The School of Graduate Studies supports students in the following ways:
Typically, graduate students already enrolled in a Graduate School program (affiliated or CSS) may take graduate courses outside of their degree program and within their school with approval from their program director and with the approval of the other course instructor (course restrictions notwithstanding). If the desired course(s) reside outside of the student’s degree program affiliated school, however, there may be a limit to the number of courses that may be taken, and a tuition-sharing MOU may be necessary with the host school’s leadership or course-sponsored department.
If the question is related to students residing in a degree program that is outside of the School of Graduate Studies' scope (eg, students in MSW, DNP, DPT, MD, PharmD, etc), - and the desired courses are within by the School of Graduate Studies - the professional school representative should contact Drs. Niya Werts or Mary Jo Bondy, Interim Assistant Deans of Academic Programs to address any tuition-sharing or degree-related concerns.
Yes, the School of Graduate Studies has full and part-time faculty, and they are appointed using the School’s Policy for Graduate School Faculty Appointment and Promotion. In addition, there are additional faculty who serve in adjunct and affiliate roles.
All faculty members who teach graduate-level courses, advise graduate students, and serve on doctoral dissertation and master's thesis committees are appointed as “Graduate Faculty” in addition to their primary appointment in the Graduate School or another UMB school. This process occurs through the Graduate Council and more information about Graduate Faculty status can be found here.
The School of Graduate Studies provides support in the following ways:
Central Self-Supporting Program Director: The Program Director is responsible for the overall planning, development and implementation of the curriculum and student experience for an academic certificate or degree program. They will develop short- and long-range planning objectives for their degree program, hire faculty as needed, manage a curriculum, recruit and advise students, and maintain high standards of instructional program management. This important role serves as a guide for students from application review to graduation and mentors and advises learners on scholarly research projects and career pathways. Depending on the program level (PBC, MS, PhD), and length of leadership term, a Program Director can expect to spend 15-30% of their FTE serving in the role of Program Director.
Affiliated Program Director: These roles vary program by program, and can involve many of the duties previously listed for the CSS Program Directors. Affiliated Program directors work closely with the School of Graduate Studies, although their academic homes and reporting structures reside within the school.
Course instructors and Graduate Program Directors are required to uphold student academic integrity. Incidents of student academic misconduct must be reported promptly, and policies and additional guidance can be found here.
Student Affairs questions about mentor-mentee relationships, student mental health concerns, type of student leave can be directed to Dr. Erin Golembewski in her role as the School of Graduate Studies Chief Student Affairs Officer, or appropriate UMB office.
The Graduate School provides funding for several Graduate Assistantships. The Graduate School provides administrative leadership on GA stipend level, leave, tuition remission, supplemental pay, and other issues.
What is Graduate Council’s role in my work?
The Graduate Council is a governing body that historically has overseen the joint academic and research resources of University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland Baltimore County. The Graduate Council approves course changes and new course proposals, Graduate Faculty appointments, New Programs prior to MHEC approval, Program Changes, and Program Review.
Contact Dr. Erin Golembewski, Senior Associate Dean, or review requirements listed on the website.
The School of Graduate Studies is represented by two spots on the Faculty Senate. Only primarily appointed faculty within the School of Graduate Studies can represent the School of Graduate Studies. Other faculty members with primary appointments in other schools should seek election within that school.
Affiliated Program Director: These roles vary program by program, and can involve many of the duties previously listed for the CSS Program Directors. Affiliated Program directors work closely with the School of Graduate Studies, although their academic homes and reporting structures reside within the school.
The Graduate Student Association is a student-run organization serving and representing all graduate students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The Graduate School administrative leadership meets with the GSA leadership regularly.
The Graduate Assistant Advisory Committee (GAAC) meets through the meet and confer process with the UMB President, the School of Graduate Studies Dean and the School of Graduate Studies leadership team at least once per semester.
This policy sets out the School of Graduate Studies' expectations of its faculty in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service, and evaluation of candidates for appointment, renewal or nonrenewal of appointment, and promotion.
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