The Transitional Advising Program (TAP) is a retention initiative within Letters and Sciences that supports the overall objectives of the University. The program provides comprehensive academic advising and academic support services to currently enrolled high credit (60+) students moving between colleges due to change in interest, inability to meet benchmarks or lack of sufficient GPA. TAP helps students identify and achieve their academic goals. The TAP Coordinator will help students identify other major options through career exploration and transcript analysis. The TAP Coordinator will provide accurate and essential information for academic success by connecting students to various programs, services, and University faculty and staff to help students declare a major.
TAP is not a degree granting major. TAP is a program for currently enrolled UMD students who have more than 60 credits and are deciding on a new major due to change in interest or challenges in academic performance. TAP students will choose and declare a suitable, alternate major. Students may remain in TAP for a maximum of one semester or registration period, but can declare a major anytime they are eligible to do so.
Students who have earned more than 60 credits and are changing to a major outside of their current college for any of the following reasons:
Current Letters and Sciences students who have earned more than 60 credits are not eligible for TAP. LTSC students who declared a major must be in a degree-granting major at least one semester before being eligible for TAP.
Students interested in declaring TAP should first meet with the TAP Coordinator through TAP Walk-in advising. Check the LTSC calendar for TAP Walk-in advising hours.
Current Letters and Sciences students who have earned more than 60 credits are not eligible for TAP. LTSC students who declared a major must be in a degree-granting major at least one semester before being eligible for TAP.
4. How long can I remain in TAP?
TAP students have one semester or registration period to select and declare a reasonable and feasible campus major.
5. What do I have to do once I am a TAP student?
Schedule an appointment with the TAP Coordinator, Melissa Hyre online OR go to TAP Walk-in Advising. Appointments must be scheduled online through the LTSC website and walk-in hours are listed on the LTSC calendar.
6. Advising Requirements for TAP?
TAP students are on mandatory advising through their duration in TAP. Because of their early registration date, TAP students are strongly encouraged to schedule their first advising appointment early in the semester. Mandatory advising requirements include:
7. Who is the TAP Coordinator?
Melissa Hyre is the coordinator of the Transitional Advising Program (TAP). Students can contact her at ltsc_transition@umd.edu.
8. How can I meeting with the TAP Coordinator?
TAP Walk-in Advising Hours: Walk-ins are 15 minute, same day appointments with the TAP Coordinator.
Individual Appointments : Individual appointments with the TAP Coordinator are typically 30 minutes and should be scheduled at least a day in advance.