- May 15, 2026
- By Matt Nessan
The University of Maryland is introducing a for-credit online learning program to undergraduate students this summer, providing authentic work experience and in-demand professional skills.
The 10-week Global Career Accelerator enables students from all majors to gain industry skills and work on projects co-designed with commercial and nonprofit partners—with structure, mentorship and academic support throughout.
Available for three credits (UNIV305) or six (UNIV306), the program is designed to prepare students for a global, diverse, AI-driven workforce by having them build and present a portfolio of projects that highlight applied skills, problem-solving abilities, AI savvy and teamwork experience. They might produce, for example, digital campaigns for Charity: Water, sustainability analyses for Intel or consumer prototypes for L’Oréal.
“Experiential learning is at the heart of a UMD education,” said William A. Cohen, associate provost and dean for undergraduate studies. “We know that schedules, geography and financial constraints can sometimes make traditional internship formats difficult to navigate. This pilot removes some of those barriers while providing an opportunity for students to develop career-readiness assets, such as digital certifications that demonstrate proficiency with industry-relevant software and tools.”
The program has both synchronous and asynchronous components, including live sessions on Monday afternoons or evenings. The deadline to register is May 31.