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University Of Maryland University College Awarded DOD Contract To Educate U.S. Troops In Europe

Bob Ludwig
By Bob Ludwig
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UMUC Continues 64-year History of Sending Faculty to Military Bases Overseas

ADELPHI, Md. (July 8, 2013) – The University of Maryland University College will continue its 64-year tradition of educating U.S. troops overseas after being awarded a new contract by the Department of Defense. The contract calls for UMUC to offer exclusive undergraduate and graduate instruction at military installations across Europe.

UMUC first began sending faculty overseas in 1949 and has continuously served the higher education needs of active duty military and their families since. The new contract is renewed annually, extends through academic year 2022-2023, and is valued at over $250 million.

“Serving the needs of the U.S. military is in our DNA. We are extremely pleased and proud to continue our long history of educating troops overseas,” said Javier Miyares, president of UMUC. “This award affirms the dedication of our faculty and staff abroad and the commitment that is shared throughout the university to providing a quality education to those who sacrifice so much to protect us.”

In addition to undergraduate liberal arts programs, active duty military personnel, their families and DOD civilians can earn graduate level degrees in a wide variety of disciplines, including cybersecurity, homeland security, social work and business administration.

Under the new contract, UMUC will offer its MBA program for the first time in the European Command, in addition to partnering with two other institutions in the University System of Maryland for first-time overseas programs. Frostburg State University and UMUC will offer an undergraduate teacher education program, while Salisbury University and UMUC will offer undergraduate and graduate (MSW) programs in social work.

“Educating our troops is a privilege we take very seriously,” said Dr. Allan Berg, UMUC Senior Vice President and overseas director. “Our faculty and staff in Europe will strive to deliver the highest quality programs possible for our students.”

Faculty will teach at U.S. military installations in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the U.K. and other locations as required.

As part of its contract to deliver undergraduate programs, UMUC also will manage National Test Centers at over 20 installations in Europe. These test centers administer a large variety of exams designed to help service members advance their careers by qualifying them for key certifications and credentials.

About University of Maryland University College

University of Maryland University College, headquartered in Adelphi, Maryland, has an enrollment of 93,000 students and offers 95 undergraduate and graduate programs online and on-site. It is one of the largest public providers of online higher education in the nation. UMUC takes pride in its 64-year history of service to the military and currently enrolls an estimated 56,000 military service members, veterans and their families each year. The university offers face-to-face instruction at 20 locations throughout Maryland and educational services in 28 countries and territories and more than 150 locations worldwide. UMUC is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a constituent institution of the University System of Maryland.