University of Maryland--College Park

  United States

Maryland

University Attributes: The University of Maryland, College Park is a public research university, the flagship campus of the University System of Maryland, and the original 1862 land grant institution in Maryland. In keeping with the legislative mandates of 1988 and 1999, the University of Maryland is committed to achieving excellence as the state's primary center for research and graduate education and as the institution of choice for undergraduate students of exceptional ability. It intends to become one of the most distinguished public universities in the United States. To realize its aspirations and fulfill its mandates, the University advances knowledge and provides superior and innovative instruction in a broad range of academic disciplines and interdisciplinary fields. It also employs knowledge for the benefit of the economy and culture of the state, the region, the nation, and beyond, and it does so in ways that realize one of its most cherished values, human diversity. Finally, the University of Maryland, College Park provides leadership for the USM and its constituent institutions on a number of important administrative and educational matters.

The University of Maryland, College Park is the only public Carnegie Research I institution in Maryland and one of only 60 American members of the Association of American Universities. In line with its mission and goals, the University values the Ph. D. and terminal professional degrees such as the M.B.A. as its signature degrees, but it also awards a wide range of bachelors, masters, and other doctoral degrees. Disciplinary and interdisciplinary degree programs are offered in the humanities and the creative and performing arts; the physical, mathematical, information, biological, social, and engineering sciences; and public affairs and policy, business and management, education, journalism, agriculture, and architecture. In some disciplines and interdisciplinary areas as well, the University offers undergraduate and graduate certificates and citations.

Faculty members are selected from national and international pools, and only individuals possessing the highest qualifications in their fields can be appointed at the University of Maryland. Members of the faculty are expected to achieve national and international renown for their research and scholarship, to be innovative and creative in teaching, to serve society at a distinguished level, and to participate in the longstanding tradition of shared governance on campus. Faculty play leading roles in international scholarly, scientific, and educational organizations, and a number of journals and professional organizations are located at the University. Members of the faculty regularly receive prestigious fellowships, awards, and grants from scholarly societies, agencies, foundations, and corporation. They and their students also bring their work to fruition, for the public benefit, in such forms as books, creative performances, inventions, and patents, courses and workshops, and grants and contracts.

Excellence is the hallmark of the University of Maryland, College Park, and this attribute is evident in many ways, including the students it recruits and the depth and breadth of their educational experiences. The University of Maryland attracts elite graduate students from around the nation and the world to its increasing number of nationally ranked programs, and its graduates are in great demand by other research universities, businesses, industry, government, and other public and private agencies. The University is committed to increasing the number of exceptionally able undergraduate students and providing them with innovative and challenging programs such as Gemstone, College Park Scholars, and the nationally renowned Honors Program. Students in these programs meet regularly with the finest professors, learn in small classes and seminars, and experience a range of research and creative opportunities, both as individuals and in teams. The University has also attracted an increasingly large and diverse international student body, and it provides a range of study abroad programs for undergraduate students.

The University of Maryland is committed to recruiting and retaining highly qualified staff, who fill myriad and vital roles both on and off campus. Members of the academic, professional staff provide valuable and visible leadership, management skills, and many forms of support for the University's educational, research, and service enterprises. Non-exempt staff advance the institution by creating a pleasant and safe working and learning environment, supporting faculty endeavors, and serving and guiding students through their years on campus. Many staff members also participate in campus life and governance in a variety of ways.