UMUC began providing educational services to U.S. military overseas in 1949 with the establishment of the university s European Division . The first overseas program began with six Education Centers in Germany, then steadily expanded. UMUC is one of five Maryland educational institutions that comprise the Maryland in Europe consortium. In 1956, UMUC established its Asian Division to serve U.S. military communities in Asia and the Pacific. To date, close to half a million students have taken UMUC Asia courses, and thousands have earned certificates or degrees.
Current students are mostly in Japan, Okinawa, Korea, and Guam.
Currently, UMUC offers courses at 150 military installations and operating locations on seven continents. Now, with the revolution of online education via the World Wide Web, U.S. military can also take advantage of hundreds of UMUC online courses, further enabling service members to pursue even a master s degree while serving in their country s armed forces. Commencements are held annually in Europe and Asia for degrees conferred to students in U.S. military communities abroad. UMUC s programs in Europe and Asia enable members of the military services and U.S. civilians overseas to take classes for personal enrichment or pursue a program of coursework leading to a certificate, associate, bachelor s or master s degree. University of Maryland University College is one of 11 degree-granting institutions in the University System of Maryland.