Everyone needs a little help now and then. College courses are challenging, studying online is a different kind of learning experience, and as a working adult, your time is precious. It’s difficult, but you can do it. We're here to help.
Everything we do at Ƶ (UMGC) is designed to ensure your academic success. Still, there will always be questions and issues that arise and life events that intervene. When they do, don't be hesitant to reach out for assistance. You’ll find the advice, resources, and flexibility you need to persevere.
“I had to drop a class at one point," said Erin Pickens, a U.S. Navy veteran who earned her BS in psychology in 2023, "and I actually failed one at another point. That’s when I really appreciated the services at UMGC. Having a college with such great advisors and resources made it so easy to get back on the horse and retake the classes later. I stuck through it, and I finally did it.”
At UMGC, we understand the kinds of sacrifices and challenges our students face in pursuing their education. That's why we offer a range of student services, and our dedicated faculty and staff are here to give you the guidance and support you need to stay on track.
Get Help from Your Success Coach
As soon as you enroll in your first online class at UMGC, you'll be assigned a personal success coach who will partner with you throughout your student journey as you work toward your degree or certificate. Our friendly, knowledgeable success coaches can help you develop learning strategies, clarify your education and career goals, assist you with selecting the right courses, help you with tuition planning, and explain university resources, policies, and procedures.
Your success coach will check in with you periodically to make sure you are progressing at a pace that works with your life. You can contact your success coach or schedule an online appointment to discuss your questions, concerns, or issues that you’re facing. For students who’ve had no previous college experience and may be unfamiliar with shorter sessions or courseloads, or for those who need assistance navigating their coursework, there are support initiatives at UMGC to help them get (and stay) on track for success.
Alvin Randolph, a UMGC success coach, has worked in higher education for 17 years and understands the importance of students furthering their education.
"Being a success coach gives me the opportunity to help students take that next step in forging their path toward attaining their personal and professional goals," Randolph said.
For military-affiliated current and prospective students, UMGC provides tools for scheduling online appointments with dedicated advisors who understand the challenges of military life. They can help you navigate your military and veteran benefits, assist you with transferring your military service for credit, and provide academic counseling and resources for those transitioning to civilian life.
Samantha Slagle graduated from UMGC with a BS in business administration. She said this type of support was key to her success.
"What do I like about UMGC? Everything," said Slagle. "Even more than the reputation or anything like that, it was the people at UMGC—people that'd gone through it (the school/life challenges) themselves and had benefited from that experience."
Get Help from UMGC Faculty
Your online courses at UMGC are taught by our faculty of experienced scholar-practitioners who are leaders in their fields. As professionals who also balance their own careers with their roles at UMGC, your professors understand the kinds of challenges faced by working adults going back to school, and they’ll work with you to help ensure your academic success. And because of their diverse insights and industry experience, they can help you understand what types of skills and knowledge are valuable in today's job market.
"The professors were very amazing with letting us know just where to find the course resources that we needed," said Kionne Abdul-Malik, who earned a BS in management information systems at UMGC. "They made it super easy to understand the assignment and to know what was expected from week to week. And they understood that they have working adults in their online classes, and they're willing to be there and respond to your emails at the drop of a dime."
Your professors can provide subject matter expertise and feedback on your work. They’re also happy to clarify classroom and assignment instructions or discuss your grade. Students can always reach out to their professors for help in their online class.
Tutoring
At some point, you may find yourself struggling with the online course material in a particular class. UMGC offers three types of online tutoring for undergraduates and graduates—at no cost to you. Through these programs, you can engage tutors from wherever you are, on a schedule that works for you, for help with an assignment, quiz, exam, or other requirement.
One-on-One Subject Tutoring
Every UMGC student is automatically set up with an account with Tutor.com, where you can access up to ten hours of online subject tutoring per month. You’ll receive focused, individualized assistance with your coursework based on your questions and concerns.
While your subject matter tutor cannot answer specific questions related to any homework assignment, quiz, exam, or project (such questions should be directed to the professor), they can help define and explain concepts and requirements, clarify examples from course content, and guide you toward a better understanding of a given topic. At the end of your tutoring session, you’ll know not only where you can best improve your grade but also where you’re already excelling, so you can build on your success.
Group Tutoring
UMGC also offers group tutoring sessions on select subjects and courses. These sessions are held via Zoom during evenings and weekends and are not limited to a monthly maximum, as with one-on-one subject tutoring, so you can attend as often as you like.
Group tutoring sessions cover material on a variety of courses and general subject areas. You’ll receive a tailored mini-lesson and be able to ask specific questions about your online class and take part in discussions with your peers. It’s a terrific way to benefit from the diverse perspectives and insights of your fellow students while gaining knowledge and skills about the specific course and subject.
Effective Writing Center
Writing assignments are part of most college courses, and for many students this can be one of the biggest learning challenges. UMGC’s Effective Writing Center provides no-cost writing assistance that you can access 24/7 at any stage of your writing process, from questions about how to get started to polishing a final draft.
You start by scheduling a time to meet online with a writing advisor, or by submitting your written work to an advisor. When you submit your writing for review, within 12 hours you’ll receive two documents in return: a copy of your work with the tutor’s notes and suggestions, and a summary with additional resources to help you improve further.
If you need help with a writing assignment but prefer not to have a full tutoring session, you can review UMGC’s Online Guide to Writing and other writing-related resources.
Peer Tutoring
This program pairs you with accomplished UMGC students who'll work with you online while gaining valuable experience. Students can and take advantage of a rewarding job helping fellow UMGC students.
Additional Support Services
UMGC offers a variety of other resources designed to set you up to succeed.
The UMGC Library is a 24/7 online resource where you'll find journal articles, ebooks, reports, data, and other research materials for UMGC's academic programs.
UMGC also has a variety of student organizations where you can connect with fellow students from around the world and engage in networking and service opportunities as part of a community, and honor societies where the highest standards of scholarship and leadership are recognized and celebrated.
Our commitment to your success doesn’t end when you receive your degree. You’ll always have access to UMGC’s lifetime career services, no matter where you are in your career or how long you may need them, so you'll never have to face a job search alone.
UMGC is there for you at every step of your academic journey, from your first online class through Graduation Day and every day after that—because your success is our success.
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party.
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