University of Maryland Baltimore County
Also known as: UMBC
5 Star Employer Ranking
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Cir, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
Also known as: UMBC
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2025 | University closed for federal holiday, marking the start of the year with rest and reflection for the UMBC community. |
| ✊ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 20 January 2025 | Observance honoring civil rights leader; campus events may include lectures and service activities. |
| 📚 | Spring Semester Classes Begin | 27 January 2025 | First day of spring term classes, welcoming students back for coursework and research. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 17 February 2025 | Federal holiday; university offices closed, providing a mid-semester break. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 17 March 2025 | Week-long break for relaxation and travel, affecting all students and faculty. |
| 🛫 | Spring Break Ends | 23 March 2025 | Classes resume after the break, refocusing on academics. |
| 🏫 | Last Day of Spring Classes | 13 May 2025 | Conclusion of spring semester instruction before finals. |
| 🎓 | Spring Commencement | 22 May 2025 | Graduation ceremony celebrating student achievements. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 26 May 2025 | Holiday honoring military personnel; university closed. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session I Begins | 2 June 2025 | Start of first summer term for accelerated courses. |
| 🗽 | Juneteenth Holiday | 19 June 2025 | Observance of emancipation; campus reflections and events. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day Holiday | 4 July 2025 | Celebration of U.S. independence; university closed. |
| 🍂 | Fall Semester Classes Begin | 27 August 2025 | Kickoff of fall term with orientations and classes. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day | 1 September 2025 | Holiday honoring workers; no classes. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 26 November 2025 | Start of holiday break for family time and rest. |
| 🍁 | Thanksgiving Day | 27 November 2025 | National holiday with university closure. |
| 📖 | Classes Resume After Thanksgiving | 1 December 2025 | Return to academics post-holiday. |
| 🗓️ | Last Day of Fall Classes | 9 December 2025 | End of fall instruction before exams. |
| 🥂 | Fall Commencement | 18 December 2025 | Winter graduation for completing students. |
| ❄️ | Winter Break Begins | 19 December 2025 | Extended break over holidays. |
Are you planning on applying to UMBC next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at UMBC. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | Early Action Application Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Deadline for early undergraduate applications to UMBC for fall 2026 entry. |
| 🗂️ | Regular Decision Application Deadline | 1 February 2025 | Standard deadline for fall 2026 admissions. |
| 💰 | FAFSA Priority Deadline | 15 February 2025 | Priority for financial aid applications. |
| 📬 | Early Action Notification Date | 15 December 2025approximate | Decisions released for early applicants. |
| ✅ | Regular Decision Notification Date | 1 April 2026approximate | Admissions decisions for regular applicants. |
| 📝 | Enrollment Deposit Deadline | 1 May 2026 | Deadline to confirm attendance. |
| 🔄 | Transfer Application Deadline | 1 March 2025 | For students transferring to UMBC. |
| 🏆 | Scholarship Application Deadline | 15 January 2025 | Deadline for merit-based scholarships. |
| 🌍 | International Student Application Deadline | 1 March 2025 | For international applicants. |
| 👋 | Orientation Registration Opens | 15 May 2026 | Start of new student orientation sign-ups. |
The academic calendar at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) serves as the foundational framework for the institution's educational rhythm, guiding students, faculty, and staff through a structured year of learning, assessment, and respite. As a public research university located in Baltimore, Maryland, UMBC follows a semester-based system typical of many U.S. higher education institutions, dividing the year into fall and spring semesters, with optional summer and winter sessions. This structure allows for a balanced distribution of coursework, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities, ensuring that students can progress toward their degrees while accommodating personal and professional commitments. Historically, UMBC's calendar has evolved to align with broader educational trends, incorporating flexibility for online and hybrid learning post-pandemic, which has made it more adaptable for diverse student populations including working adults and international learners. Compared to other universities in the University System of Maryland, UMBC's calendar emphasizes innovation in STEM fields, often scheduling events that tie into research symposia and tech conferences. For students, this impacts everything from course selection to mental health, as well-timed breaks help prevent burnout. Prospective students should note how the calendar intersects with admissions cycles, where key deadlines for applications and financial aid submissions are synchronized with semester starts. International students benefit from orientations that align with major holidays in their home countries, fostering a global community. Holidays are thoughtfully placed, respecting federal observances like Labor Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, while also considering local Baltimore traditions. This calendar not only structures academic life but also influences campus culture, with events like homecoming and cultural festivals enhancing community bonds. Faculty use it to plan syllabi, ensuring deadlines align with grading periods. Overall, understanding UMBC's academic calendar is crucial for effective planning, whether you're a freshman navigating your first semester or a professor coordinating research grants. For insights into teaching quality, check out Rate My Professor to see student reviews. We invite you to rate your professors and contribute to the community.
At UMBC, semester dates are designed to provide a predictable yet flexible structure for class planning, allowing students to map out their academic journeys with confidence. The fall semester typically begins after Labor Day, ramping up with introductory weeks that include orientation sessions and advising meetings, setting the stage for rigorous coursework in fields like computer science and biological sciences, for which UMBC is renowned. Spring semesters often start in late January, following a winter break that rejuvenates the campus community. This timing helps students avoid the peak of winter weather disruptions in Maryland. Planning classes involves considering prerequisites, credit loads, and electives, with tools like the university's online portal aiding in registration. Tips for effective planning include early advising to secure spots in high-demand courses, balancing workloads across semesters to maintain GPA, and incorporating study abroad options that fit within break periods. UMBC's calendar supports interdisciplinary studies, encouraging mixes of humanities and sciences. Student ratings on platforms like Rate My Professor can guide course selections by highlighting engaging instructors. International students should plan around visa requirements and cultural adjustments. Faculty appreciate the calendar's alignment with research cycles, allowing time for publications. For job seekers in academia, explore research jobs at UMBC through Academic Jobs. Parents can use the calendar to sync family visits with less intensive periods. Overall, mastering semester planning at UMBC enhances academic success and personal growth.
Exam schedules at UMBC are strategically placed at the end of each semester, providing a culminating assessment period that tests students' mastery of material. Typically, finals occur over a dedicated week, with midterms scattered mid-semester to allow progressive evaluation. Preparation tips include utilizing UMBC's resources like the Learning Resources Center for tutoring and study groups. Time management is key; students often create study calendars aligning with the academic schedule to cover syllabi comprehensively. Faculty design exams to reflect real-world applications, especially in STEM programs. For better outcomes, review professor ratings on Rate My Professor to understand teaching styles. International students might need extra support for language barriers during prep. The calendar's buffer periods before exams help in reducing stress.
Thanksgiving Break at UMBC offers a much-needed pause in the fall semester, allowing the community to recharge amid the holiday season. This break aligns with the national U.S. observance, providing time for travel, family gatherings, and reflection. Students often use this period to visit home in Baltimore or beyond, engaging in traditions like turkey dinners and football games. Planning tips include booking travel early to avoid high costs, especially for those flying from other states or countries. UMBC encourages safe travel and offers resources for mental health during holidays. The break impacts work schedules, giving faculty time for research. Coordinate with Rate My College insights for campus vibes during such times.
UMBC's holidays and breaks are integral to the academic calendar, incorporating U.S. federal holidays like Independence Day, Labor Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, alongside university-specific observances. Spring break provides a week-long respite for rejuvenation, often used for travel to warmer destinations or volunteer work. Thanksgiving and winter breaks allow for extended family time, with tips for international students to explore American customs or return home. Planning involves aligning with work deadlines and using higher ed jobs for career planning during downtime. These periods foster work-life balance.
Faculty and staff at UMBC navigate work schedules tied to the academic calendar, with deadlines for grant submissions, course proposals, and evaluations aligning with semester starts and ends. This ensures smooth operations in research-heavy environments. Tips include using calendar tools for tracking.
Meetings and grading periods are scheduled to maximize productivity, with invites to rate employers on platforms. Explore lecturer jobs.
UMBC's historical calendars show patterns like consistent semester lengths, aiding in future planning.
Key events like orientation and commencement enhance the calendar. Rate professors at Rate My Professor.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2026 | University closure for the new year celebration. |
| ✊ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 19 January 2026 | Holiday with potential campus service events. |
| 📚 | Spring Semester Classes Begin | 26 January 2026 | Commencement of spring term activities. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 16 February 2026 | Federal holiday break. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 16 March 2026 | Week for student travel and rest. |
| 🛫 | Spring Break Ends | 22 March 2026 | Resumption of classes. |
| 🏫 | Last Day of Spring Classes | 12 May 2026 | End of spring semester teaching. |
| 🎓 | Spring Commencement | 21 May 2026 | Graduation festivities. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 25 May 2026 | Remembrance holiday. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session I Begins | 1 June 2026 | Start of summer courses. |
| 🗽 | Juneteenth Holiday | 19 June 2026 | Emancipation observance. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day Holiday | 3 July 2026observed | Holiday celebration. |
| 🍂 | Fall Semester Classes Begin | 26 August 2026 | Fall term launch. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day | 7 September 2026 | Workers' holiday. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 25 November 2026 | Holiday break start. |
| 🍁 | Thanksgiving Day | 26 November 2026 | National thanksgiving. |
| 📖 | Classes Resume After Thanksgiving | 30 November 2026 | Post-break classes. |
| 🗓️ | Last Day of Fall Classes | 8 December 2026 | Fall teaching end. |
| 🥂 | Fall Commencement | 17 December 2026 | Winter graduation. |
| ❄️ | Winter Break Begins | 18 December 2026 | Holiday break. |
