Earn upper-level credit by demonstrating skills you learn on the job while studying at UMGC.
Apply classroom theory to real-world professional projects and earn credits that apply to your degree or certificate program. If you have the opportunity to engage in new activities and new learning on the job, you can participate in Workplace Learning by enrolling in a three- or six- credit class concurrent with your new learning opportunity.
New learning opportunities can be a new job, an internship, or even new projects on a current job! As long as you are doing something NEW, your work may be eligible.
How to Participate
To participate in the Workplace Learning program, you'll first complete an application. Once you do this, we will check to ensure you are eligible and have room in your program to apply the credit.
Undergraduate Workplace Learning classes start only once each semester – in August, January, and May – so it is essential to check deadlines and prepare early! Graduate Workplace Learning starts twice each semester, but it’s still important to start the process early to ensure you meet the deadlines.
Apply through the Workplace Learning Application in MyUMGC. Click on “Course Search and Registration” and then “Workplace Learning” to find the application. Undergraduate application deadlines are November 1 (for spring), April 1 (for summer), and July 1 (for fall). Graduate application deadlines are February 1 (for spring), May 1 (for summer), and September 1 (for fall).
After You Apply
- It may take up to one to two weeks for your application to be reviewed. Once your application has been reviewed and it has been determined that you meet the eligibility requirements, the Workplace Learning office will e-mail you instructions on your next steps. You will receive the learning proposal form via email, an employer agreement form, a link to the orientation, and all appropriate deadlines. Learning proposals must be submitted by the stated deadline to allow enough time for review.
- Workplace Learning and a faculty member in your academic discipline will review your proposal. We ensure your work will be appropriate for the program and that your discipline will also align with upper-level undergraduate work or graduate work.
- Once your proposal is approved you will be registered for the concurrent Workplace Learning class and assigned to a faculty mentor for the upcoming session.
- During your Workplace Learning class session, you will complete the project tasks outlined in your learning proposal and academic assignments from your faculty mentor to enhance your learning experience on the job.
- Your supervisor must agree to participate in the program and will be asked to communicate with your mentor and evaluate your work at the end of your Workplace Learning experience.
Additional Details
As an undergraduate student, you may earn three or six credits during each Workplace Learning session, which is typically 15 weeks. As a graduate student, you may earn three credits of Workplace Learning credit in one eight-week session.
An award of three credits requires at least 135 hours over of work comprised of new learning, including a minimum of four project tasks. An award of six credits (undergraduate only) requires at least 270 hours of new learning, which includes completing five to eight project tasks.
Undergraduate students may earn up to 45 credits in Workplace Learning during their undergraduate tenure. Graduate students may earn a total of three credits through Workplace Learning.
Please Note: Standard tuition rates apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Undergraduate Requirements
To be eligible at the undergraduate level, you must:
- Be seeking an undergraduate degree at UMGC.
- Have completed 30 credits, six of which must have been completed at UMGC.
- Have completed a minimum of nine credits of coursework in the discipline of the workplace position. For example, if you plan to earn credit in human resource management, you should have at least nine completed credits of human resource management courses.
- Have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or better at UMGC.
- Have submitted all official transcripts and contacted an academic advisor to request an official evaluation. Learn more about submitting your transcripts.
- Have confirmed remaining degree requirements with an academic advisor.
- Be working in a position (paid or unpaid, part- or full-time) that offers an opportunity to apply classroom theory to practical projects that involve significant analysis and problem solving and are directly related to a given academic discipline.
- Three undergraduate majors require Workplace Learning, including:
- Biotechnology
- Gerontology and Aging Services
Laboratory Management
Students completing Biotechnology and Laboratory Management majors must meet additional requirements as set out by the academic program, including doing laboratory-based research.
Graduate Requirements
To be eligible at the graduate level, you must:
- Be enrolled in a graduate program at UMGC.
- Have completed 12 credits in your graduate program.
- Have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better at UMGC.
- Have confirmed remaining degree requirements with an academic advisor.
- Be working in a position (paid or unpaid, part- or full-time) that offers an opportunity to apply classroom theory to practical projects that involve significant analysis and problem solving and are directly related to a given academic discipline.
- For the 2025-2026 academic year, students in the following graduate programs may pursue Workplace Learning credits:
- MS in Management - Accounting (ACCT 686)
- MS in Accounting and Financial Management (ACCT 686 or FIN 686)
- MS Cloud Computing Systems (CLCS 686)
- MS Cyber Operations (CYOP 686)
- MS Cybersecurity Management and Policy (CMAP 686)
- MS Cybersecurity Technology (CTCH 686)
- MS Data Analytics (DATA 686)
- MS Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation (DFCS 686)
- MS in Management - Interdisciplinary Studies in Management (MGMT 686)
- Grad Certificate: Accounting (ACCT 686)