Getting Started Guide

Overview

Open Learning is the University of Maryland’s (UMD) catalog for non-credit courses. Open Learning uses the Canvas-Instructure platform to serve the UMD community and beyond. Open Learning permits users to browse, search, and enroll in free or fee-based non-credit courses.

Open Learning non-credit courses are offered online (self-paced or synchronous) or in-person (at the College Park campus or other locations). Non-credit courses do not post to the UMD transcript and do not count towards a student's academic record. Neither grade nor credit is earned. The non-credit courses may offer an Open Learning Certificate of Completion or award Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Neither posts to the UMD transcript.

Students who enroll in Open Learning non-credit courses do not receive a UMD ID card nor access to University facilities such as recreation, transportation, and campus events. Participants, however, may access UMD Libraries as Visitors Links to an external site..

Below is information specific to using and navigating UMD’s Open Learning. Canvas-Instructure also provides the Canvas Catalog Guide Links to an external site. which answers general questions not listed below.

Getting Help

Course Participants

Enrolling in an Open Learning Course

UMD Participants (Students, staff, and faculty with an active UMD Directory ID)

  1. Search for a course listed on the Open Learning Catalog Links to an external site..
    1. If you were sent a URL link, use that link.
  2. Select the course; then select “Enroll”; then select “Sign in Here”.
  3. Login in using your UMD Directory ID via UMD CAS.
    1. If you do not have an active UMD Directory ID, see Non-UMD Participants, below.
  4. After login:
    1. To enroll in a free course, select “Enroll in Course”.
    2. To enroll in a fee-based course, apply a promotion code (if applicable), select “Proceed to Payment” and complete the payment process.

Non-UMD Participants (Must first create an Associate / UMD Account)

  1. Search for a course listed on the Open Learning Catalog Links to an external site..
    1. If you were sent a URL link, use that link.
  2. Select the course; then select “Enroll”.
  3. Select “Create an Associate Account Links to an external site.”.
    1. Fill out the requested information and select “Submit”.
  4. Upon submission, an email is sent to confirm the request. Open the email and click on the link to create a directory passphrase.
    1. The link expires after four (4) hours. Unconfirmed requests are deleted after 12 months. If the link has expired, please register again Links to an external site. to acquire a new link, or contact itsupport@umd.edu.
  5. Return to the Open Learning Catalog Links to an external site.. Refer to steps 1 and 2, above.
  6. On the course’s enrollment page, select “Sign in Here”.
  7. Login using your Associate Account (known as UMD Directory ID).
  8. After login:
    1. To enroll in a free course, select “Enroll in Course”.
    2. To enroll in a fee-based course, apply a promotion code (if applicable), select “Proceed to Payment” and complete the payment process.

For further guidance, reference the following:

Can I get a discount on the cost of the course?

Prior to enrollment, contact the course owner or instructor listed on the course card to inquire if there are any promotional discount codes available. Promotion codes must be applied at the time of course enrollment and payment.

How do I log into an Open Learning course for which I am registered?

  1. Visit Open Learning Catalog Links to an external site..
  2. Select “Login” located in the upper right-hand corner of the webpage.
  3. Log in with your UMD credentials. (Non-UMD users use their UMD Associate Account).
  4. Select your name (where it used to say “login”). A dropdown menu will appear.
  5. Select “Student Dashboard.”
    1. Select “In Progress” to access courses that have not yet started or those in progress.
    2. Select “Begin Course” or “Resume Course” as appropriate.

For further guidance, reference the following:

How do Non-UMD users reset their password (directory passphrase)?

Directory passphrases are valid for up to 365 days. Associate Accounts users should refer to the Reset Your Associate Account Passphrase Links to an external site. instructions to reset their Associate Account password and other expiration details.

  • Note: You will receive an email from the Associate Account service reminding you to reset your password.

Information on Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

CEUs

  1. Continuing Education Units is a general term for a metric used in continuing education programs to measure non-credit requirements needed to maintain professional licenses, certifications, and qualifications.
  2. CEUs are non-credit. Non-credit courses and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) do not post to the UMD transcript and do not count towards a student’s academic record. Neither grade nor credit is earned.

UMD CEUs

  1. Continuing Education Units issued by UMD, based upon a nationally recognized measure, and awarded for the successful completion of pre-qualified non-credit courses intended to improve knowledge and skills of professionals in the field.
  2. Calculating UMD CEUs: Based upon a nationally recognized measure defining 1 CEU as 10 qualifying instructional hours, and rounded to the nearest tenth. Example: 2.5 CEUs.
  3. Qualifying participants are issued a digital UMD CEU Certificate of Completion which is valid for any organization that recognizes UMD CEUs.

Non-UMD CEUs

  1. Continuing Education Units issued by another institution outside of UMD (Non-UMD CEUs).
  2. Courses offering CEUs not issued by UMD should specify the CEU type, number of CEUs offered, and issuing institution.

How do I receive my Continuing Education Units (UMD or Non-UMD CEUs)?

  • For non-credit courses offering CEUs (UMD or Non-UMD CEUs), email the course instructor.

How to Add Credentials to LinkedIn

Types of UMD Non-Credit Credentials 
Students who have a LinkedIn Links to an external site. account may wish to add earned credentials to their profiles if their non-credit course awarded a certificate of completion. Below are the two types of credentials.

Instructions 

  1. Add Certificate/Course Name.
  2. Add University of Maryland as the Issuing Organization. This field will search and pre-populate when typing begins.
  3. Enter completion date as the Issue Date/Month/Year. Unless otherwise determined by the unit, select, “This certificate does not expire.”
  4. Skip the Certificate ID section. Neither the UMD Open Learning Certificate of Completion nor the UMD CEUs Certificate of Completion have a credential ID or issuance number.
  5. Add a direct URL link to the certificate under Credential URL by first uploading the certificate to Google Drive, and using the sharing link provided by Google. When sharing the link, be sure the accessibility is set appropriately and not set to a restricted audience. Example: “Anyone with the link.”
  6. Once saved, the certificate will be visible on the profile.

For further assistance, reference LinkedIn’s Instructions Links to an external site..

How do I request a refund?

Send an email to the course instructor to inquire about the refund policy, eligibility, and/or to request a refund. Be sure to include the following in the request to the instructor:

  • Course Title: 
  • Student First and Last Name: 
  • Student Email Address: 
  • Reference ID: The Reference ID is the same as the payment Transaction ID number found at the bottom of your course enrollment confirmation email.
  • Purchase Date: 
  • Course Cost (Amount Paid): 
  • Amount of Refund Request: 

If the request is approved, you will receive a confirmation email once the refund has been processed.

Additional FAQ Resources

Canvas-Instructure provides the Canvas Catalog Guide Links to an external site. which answers general questions not listed above. Under the category “All Users,” participants can find assistance with the following:

  • How do I use my institution's Catalog?
  • How do I enroll in a Catalog course or program listing?
  • How do I enroll in an individual Catalog course or program?
  • How do I add my name to the wait list for a Catalog course or program?
  • How do I know when I'll get added to a course or program from the Catalog wait list?
  • How do I drop a Catalog course or program?
  • How do I view the certificate of completion for a Catalog course or program?
  • How do I view an unofficial transcript of my courses or programs in Catalog?
  • How do I view my Catalog purchases and enrollment history?
  • How do I view the ELMS-Canvas Dashboard through Catalog?
  • How do I log out of my Catalog account?
  • What languages does Canvas Catalog support?

UMD Staff or Faculty

I am a staff or faculty member interested in hosting my course on Open Learning. What should I do?

Email your request or questions to Extended Studies (EXST) at openlearning@umd.edu.