III- 8.01 - UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND POLICY ON ALTERNATIVE
             MEANS OF EARNING ACADEMIC DEGREE CREDIT
                                
      (Approved by the Board of Regents, February 18, 2005)
                                

     To expand capacity, enhance the quality of the educational
experience students receive, and to encourage timely progress
toward a degree, the USM will encourage students to take
advantage of alternative means of earning academic degree credit.
Options available to students include: online courses;
registration in special sessions; independent study or
undergraduate research; study abroad; service learning;
internships; credit by exam; and advanced placement credits.

     On average, first-time freshmen will complete at least 12
credits required for graduation outside of the traditional
classroom experience as part of their undergraduate programs.

     Institutions that admit first-time freshmen shall report
periodically on the average number of alternative credits
completed by baccalaureate degree recipients.

     This policy is effective for first-time freshmen who
matriculate in the Fall 2005 semester.