Declare an SPH Major

The School of Public Health offers undergraduate degrees in Public Health Practice, Kinesiology, Public Health Science, Global Health and Family Health. Please take time to review each major before signing up for a change of major workshop.

Change of Major workshops are offered during the Spring, Summer and Fall and Winter sessions.

Please register for a workshop using this form. 

If you need assistance  please email the CASA office, sphadvising@umd.edu.

Student-Athletes and Students on Academic Probation/Dismissal

• Student-athletes must meet with April Khaing  after they have attended the Graduation Plan workshop before their major will be declared.
• Students on Academic Probation/Dismissal must schedule an SPH probation/dismissal/re-enrollment appointment with Kendyl Oliver or Renee Stokes, after they have attended the Graduation Plan workshop before their major will be declared.

Come to our walk-in hours during the semester. 

Questions regarding the change of major process should be directed to the SPH Center for Academic Success and Achievement at 301-405-2357 or sphadvising@umd.edu.

Fall Admission

• Priority Application Deadline - March 1
• Regular Application Deadline - June 1

Spring Admission

• Priority Application Deadline - August 1
• Regular Application Deadline - November 15

Confirmation Deadline for Fall/Spring: 30 days from date of admission

For more information please visit the UMD Undergraduate Admissions website.

Make sure you have submitted the following items to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions:

1. The completed online application for undergraduate admission. This includes an essay of no more than 300 words describing why you wish to transfer for the University of Maryland.
2. A nonrefundable application fee of $65, sent with your application. You may pay online or be billed separately by the University.
3. An official copy of all college transcripts sent directly from the registrar's office of all former colleges. A final transcript must also be sent upon completion of any courses in progress.
4. An official copy of your high school transcript, as well as SAT and/or ACT scores. These are not required if you have completed more than 30 semester or 45 quarter hours at the time you apply to the University of Maryland.

• Optional: A resume or statement of academic and extracurricular activities.
• Optional: A letter of recommendation. You may submit a letter of recommendation through the online application.

International applicants must submit additional application materials and should review the international applicant guidelines.

For more information please visit the UMD Undergraduate Admissions website.

As a new student to the University, there are steps in place to help ease your transition, help you get familiar with the University and the resources that are available to you. Find additional information on the UMD orientation process.

For further information on transferring credits from another University/College to the University of Maryland please visit the UMD Transfer Credit Services website.

For further information on transferring to the University of Maryland please contact the UMD Pre-Transfer Advising Office.

Students transitioning into one of the five majors in the School of Public Health must complete two steps of mandatory advising in preparation for Spring 2026 registration. The majors within SPH are: Family Health (FMSC), Public Health Practice (PHP), Kinesiology (KNES), Public Health Science (PHSC) and Global Health (GBHL)

**Please note** Freshmen Connection Students who are changing their major into SPH for the Spring 2026 term from a different major (CMNS, LTSC, PSYC etc.) will complete the standard change of major process

 Step 1: Complete Welcome to SPH on ELMS

Freshmen Connection students with a declared SPH major in the Spring will be invited into the WELCOME TO SPH ELMS space during the first week of October. All components of the ELMS page must be completed before students can register for the next step of the mandatory advising process.

• Meet your College (SPH)
• Meet your Major (only complete ONE module for your major):
  • KNES
  • GBHL
  • FMSC
  • HLTH
  • PHSC

Step 2: Attend a Pre-Registration Workshop 

• This 90 minute session will further familiarize you to the requirements and benchmarks for each of the five majors in SPH. We will also discuss recommended courses for the Spring semester. We will offer these sessions on the following dates: Registration is required: https://forms.gle/eh82b15BQS6HUeMN9
•  
• - Monday, October 20 2-3:30 in person (This session is reserved for students with priority registration) SPH0302
• - Monday, November 3 12:30-2pm in person SPH0305
• - Friday, November 14 10-11:30am on zoom (link sent prior to workshop)
• - Thursday, December 4 11-12:30pm in person SPH0116A

Attending a welcome session is a mandatory second step of the Freshmen Connection advising process. Your registration block for Spring will not be lifted until you have completed both the ELMS modules and a pre-registration session. If you have issues with registering for a session, please email sphadvising@umd.edu

All newly admitted students must attend a mandatory orientation before being able to register for classes. Students can register for an orientation by visiting the Orientation Office website. Orientation dates have space limitations and are filled on a first-come-first-served basis, so register for an orientation program as soon as you confirm your admission!

• Take the Math Placement Test
• View your unofficial UMD transcript to verify all AP/IB, CLEP, and transfer credit is showing
• Have any missing AP/IB, CLEP, or transfer credit sent to UMD

• A copy of any AP/IB scores that are not currently showing on your unofficial UMD transcript.
• A copy of your transcript from other colleges/universities showing any coursework not currently on your unofficial UMD transcript.
• Pen and paper for taking notes and a personal electronic device, if desired. 

I already have credit for math (AP/IB or transfer) do I still have to take the Math Placement Exam? 

YES. Sometimes errors or unexpected outcomes can occur with incoming math credit - maybe it hasn't posted to your UMD transcript yet, maybe it isn't coming in as the course you expected, etc. - so it is important that you complete the Math Placement Exam. Additionally, UMD will honor the higher place option.

Ex: For our majors that require foundational science courses (Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Genetics, Microbiology, etc.) you must be eligible to take Calculus in order to enroll. If your incoming math credit only counts for Elementary Math BUT you take the Math Placement Test and place at the Calculus level you can enroll in the science courses. If you did not take the exam you would not be able to take the science courses until completing Pre-Calc College Algebra at UMD. 

Can my parent/spouse/friend hang out with me at orientation?

Parents/spouses/friends may be able to accompany you to morning programming conducted by the New Student Orientation office, but they cannot accompany you to the college/department portion or during registration. The New Student Orientation office has an alternative program for parents and families while students are learning about their majors and registering.