College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Shady Grove

2141 Tydings Hall
Phone: 301-405-1679
bsos@umd.edu
http://bsos.umd.edu

Dean: Susan Rivera, Ph.D. 
Associate Deans: Patricio Korzeniewicz, Ph.D., Jean McGloin, Ph.D., Katherine Russell, Ph.D.
Assistant Deans: Ann Holmes, Mengxue Li, Ph.D., Kim Nickerson, Ph.D.


The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland (BSOS) increases understanding of and pursues innovative solutions to the challenges facing our global community. BSOS draws on its Washington, D.C., and worldwide connections to enrich its teaching, research and service. The BSOS community works to enhance international relations, advance global sustainability, understand societies and cultures and improve the human condition.

In all that we do, BSOS aims to Be the Solution to the world’s great challenges.

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences actively practices TerrapinSTRONG values that affirm our mission, culture, and values as a diverse, unified, proud, respectful, inclusive, accountable, and empowered community of people from every background that works to impact positively our globally-connected society.

Students interested in human behavior and in solving human and social problems will find many exciting opportunities through the programs and courses offered by the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements/Degree Options

  • Each student must complete a minimum of 120 hours of credit with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Courses must include the credits required in the university's general education requirements and the specific major and supporting course and grade requirements of the programs in the academic departments offering bachelor's degrees.
  • Students must have a minimum “C” (2.00) cumulative grade point average across all courses used to satisfy major degree requirements.
  • Upon entering BSOS as a freshman, transfer, or by major change, students must complete and submit a graduation plan to the college advising office for review and approval.
  • In accordance with university policy, fundamental English and Math requirements must be attempted by 30 credits and successfully completed by 60 credits.
  • Students must complete 15 upper level credits in the student's final 30 credits.
  • All students are responsible for carefully tracking completion of degree requirements using UAchieve. Students are urged to meet with an academic advisor in their major or college if they have any questions. Advising is especially important two semesters before graduation to discuss final graduation requirements.

Please refer to your specific program to see advising information and requirements.

Dean's List

Any student who has passed at least 12 hours of academic work under the regular grading method in the preceding semester, without failure of any course, and with an overall average grade of at least 3.5, will be placed on the Dean's List. The Distinguished Dean's List consists of students who have completed successfully a minimum of 12 credit hours in a semester with a 4.0.

Student Societies and Professional Organizations

Students who are interested in organizations and honor societies related to their fields of study should consult with departmental websites.

Financial Assistance

The college offers scholarship opportunities to current students on a competitive basis. Each scholarship has eligibility criteria. Scholarship information and applications are available on the scholarships page on the BSOS website: http://bsos.umd.edu/undergraduate/bsos-college-scholarships/.  

The college also offers student experience funds to help support research, internship, and other extracurricular activities: http://fellercenter.umd.edu/gain-experience/.

The National Scholarships Office at the University of Maryland provides information on nationally competitive scholarships at the undergraduate (and graduate) level. For more information, please visit: http://scholarships.umd.edu.

The Office of Student Financial Aid (OFSA) administers all types of federal, state, and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in the awarding of scholarships to deserving students. For more information, visit: http://financialaid.umd.edu.