First, review the information on the Who We Are and Admissions pages of this website. The information contained therein should really help you better understand the overarching goals of our curriculum and community. It's also helpful to review our Statement of Values and Teaching Philosophy. Then, if you’re still uncertain, get in touch with us! Our staff is available to chat with you to answer your questions and talk through your anxieties. Don’t wait—click here to fill out a brief form so that we can connect with you!

First things first, you need to apply to the University of Maryland! When you do so, you will automatically be considered for invitation to the Honors College if you submit a completed undergraduate application by the early action deadline of November 1 and are admitted to the university. There is no separate application for the Honors College.

Then, if you are invited to the Honors College, you will have the opportunity to submit your preferences for joining one of eight living-learning programs through a mechanism called the “Preferencing Form.” If you are committed to DCC’s values and curriculum, we strongly encourage you to list DCC as your first or second preference! You should also use the Preference Form to write a strong paragraph about why you consider yourself to be a great fit for DCC.

Yes! Whether you’re considering attending the University of Maryland or have already committed to UMD/DCC, you are welcome to visit us! Please reach out via dcc-honors@umd.edu to arrange a visit. Pro tip: you’ll have the best luck if you give us at least a couple business weeks’ notice!

Yes! Whether you’re considering attending the University of Maryland or have already committed to UMD/DCC, we’d love to connect you with a current student or alum. Please reach out via dcc-honors@umd.edu so that we can help arrange this for you.

This question is often answered in two ways.

First, DCC’s curriculum requirements (16 total credits) often fit seamlessly into your overall education at the University of Maryland, because our various courses allow you to fulfill general-education requirements toward completion of your degree (such as DSSP Scholarship in Practice, DVUP Understanding Plural Societies, SCIS I-Series, and DSHU Humanities). We aim to make sure that DCC’s curriculum does not pose any delays to your overall academic trajectory while at UMD—in fact, many of our students manage to complete degrees in more than one major!

Second, DCC’s curriculum supplements your education by providing you with learning experiences that help you develop essential skills, no matter what your major is! You’ll develop proficiency in critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving, collaboration, self-directed learning, research, and project management. DCC coursework may also teach you important theories, concepts, methods, and histories that connect with your other studies. Finally, DCC’s curriculum helps you carve out space to focus on parts of yourself that might have nothing at all to do with your academics! Our program is designed to help you cultivate and nurture your creative instincts and talents while earning academic credit—and many of our students consider this an invaluable escape from other parts of their college life.

Congratulations! We are so excited to have you join our community. All you have to do now is make sure you are following official university deadlines, especially those pertaining to housing. When it comes to DCC, there is nothing else you need to do to prepare until you hear directly from us. We will contact you at the start of June (be sure to check the email address you provided to Honors Admissions!) with important instructions, announcements, and a request to complete an Incoming Student survey.

Other than that, we hope you will bask in the joy and celebration of your high school graduation and use your summer for rest and pleasure!

The most efficient way to request a meeting is to use the Director's and Associate Director's respective Google Booking Calendars; you can find links to both by visiting the Support for Students page. Please be reminded that all appointments require a full 24-hours’ notice.

If none of the available Student Hours slots works with your schedule, please contact the appropriate DCC staff member directly via email to arrange a mutually-agreeable time.

Let’s talk! The easiest way to arrange a meeting is to book a Student Hours appointment. If none of the available appointment slots work with your schedule, send an email to Dr. Lu. Don’t wait—your anxiety about your GPA will only increase if you don’t reach out for support soon. We’re here to help!

DCC is a 16-credit academic program, in which 13 of the required 16 credits are satisfied by core courses:

• HDCC105 (3 credits)
• HDCC106 (3 credits)
• HDCC201 (1 credit)
• HDCC208 (3 credits)
• HDCC209 (3 credits)

For the remaining 3 credits, you must choose ONE of the following FOUR options.

• HDCC379 Independent Study (3 credits)
• an academic internship (3 credits)
• a university-approved study abroad program (3 credits)
• an advanced -300/-400 level UMD course that is methodologically and/or technically focused on making, design, creative practice, and/or applied technologies (3 credits)

Regardless of which option you choose, you must submit your choice to the DCC Director or Associate Director for approval. 

• If you wish to take HDCC379 Independent Study, you must reach out during the semester prior in order to claim a spot, if any are available. You may be asked, during that time, what your tentative plans are for your Independent Study experience. If approved, you will be granted permissions to register for HDCC379 during the following semester.
• If you are participating in an internship for which you are receiving academic credit, contact the Director or Associate Director to let them know the accompanying internship course (and course code) we should look for on your University of Maryland academic transcript.
• If you are accepted to a study abroad program for which you will receive 3 credits, let us know when and where you will be studying abroad, and what university course (and course code) we should look for on your University of Maryland academic transcript.
• If you are pursuing an advanced -300/-400 level UMD course that you hope is a good fit for your final 3 credits, email the Director or Associate Director to seek approval. In order to be granted approval, you must tell us: (1) the name of the course and its accompanying course code; (2) when you took the course/are planning to take it; and (3) how, specifically, the course is methodologically and/or technically focused on making, design, creative practice, and/or applied technologies. 

You will not receive your Honors Citation until your final 3 credits are satisfied, even if you have completed all other required DCC coursework; have successfully presented your Capstone project; and, maintained a GPA that surpasses the required Honors College threshold (3.2).

Unfortunately, no. If you did not enroll in a 3-credit internship course at the University of Maryland, typically in your home major/department, it will not be count towards the 16 credits you need to officially complete the DCC program.

HDCC379 Independent Study is one way to satisfy the final 3 credits of your DCC curriculum.

HDCC379 is a one-semester learning experience in which you are empowered to articulate your own learning goals, chart your own path forward, and determine the most appropriate benchmarks and deadlines to structure your learning. Throughout the semester, you'll work with an advisor—either the Director or Associate Director—who will provide support, offer feedback, and help guide you toward the satisfying completion of your semester. There is no scheduled day/time for the course, as it is independently pursued; you will work with your advisor to schedule appropriate meeting times and determine meeting frequency.

Historically, DCC students have chosen to utilize HDCC379 in three ways:

• as a precursor to, supplement to, or extension of HDCC209 Capstone in DCC, which transforms the DCC Capstone experience into a 6-credit project, rather than a 3-credit one;
• as a mechanism for learning deeply about a concept, idea, theory, or period in history, via a robust reading list and appropriate benchmarks (such as presentations, papers, and/or creative works);
• or, as a mechanism for learning a craft, method, or skill, via a structured progression of skill-building or hands-on training with benchmarks that demonstrate progress and proficiency.

Regardless of your approach to HDCC379, all Independent Studies must conclude with a final deliverable—such as a major presentation, showcase, event, workshop, research report, essay, major creative work, etc.—that demonstrates a semester's worth of effort and learning. 

If you are interested in enrolling in HDCC379, please contact the Director or Associate Director during the semester prior in order to claim one of the limited spots available (e.g. if you want to take HDCC379 in the spring, reach out early in the preceding fall semester). Be prepared to produce a proposal for your Independent Study that details your learning goals, planned benchmarks, and desired deadlines.

You can check on this by reviewing the program requirements for DCC. Then, verify that you've communicated your choice for your final 3 credits of the program to the Director and/or Associate Director. 

If you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email. We’re happy to review your transcript and let you know where you stand.

You will receive your Honors Citation in the semester following your completion of DCC’s program requirements. For example, if you finish (e.g. complete a course and earn a passing grade) the 16 credits you need for DCC during the Spring semester of your sophomore year, you will receive your Honors Citation during the Fall semester of your junior year.

Your citation will be conferred during the semi-annual Honors College Citation Ceremony—a beautiful event designed to celebrate you and your peers for all of your hard work, and to mark this important milestone in your academic career.*

*Note: You are not required to attend the Honors College Citation Ceremony in order to receive your citation. Your achievement will be marked on your transcript and you will receive your Citation via postal mail even if you are unable to attend.

Don’t panic!

If you have not yet begun your sophomore year in DCC, you can reach out directly to any DCC staff member to talk about your ideas and anxieties. We’re here to help! Send an email to whomever you are most comfortable with and we can start talking things through. Please also keep in mind that DCC staff offers mandatory "Capstone Ideas workshops" during the second semester of your first year to help you start brainstorming viable, exciting possibilities for your work!

If you have already begun your sophomore year in DCC, we recommend reaching out to your HDCC201 or HDCC209 instructor first. They are best equipped to help you tackle Capstone-related issues. However, if you are seeking additional guidance, you are more than welcome to also send an email to another DCC staff member, too.

Please check your email (including Spam folders)! Our staff will send you a monthly newsletter with major news, program announcements, reminders, and exciting opportunities. Reading each newsletter is a major part of participating actively in the DCC community, so please don’t skip it!

If you can’t find the newsletter in your inbox, please reach out to us ASAP via dcc-honors@umd.edu so that we can verify that we have your current/accurate contact information.

You can also follow our Instagram account (@umd_dcc) for reminders, community news and celebrations, and virtual events.

Thank you for your interest in these positions! Working as Makerspace Manager or SoundStudio manager is a great way to connect with DCC in a new way, as well as get paid to further deepen your own creativity.

The first thing you can do is shadow a current Student Manager during the spring semester of your first year. Shadowing is a great opportunity to learn about the positions, as well as the makerspaces, and demonstrate your serious interest. In order to shadow a current manager, please contact DCC staff to arrange an appropriate session.

Then, prepare to apply! These positions are typically staffed during the summer months, in between academic years.* Occasionally, positions may open mid-year. Especially if you haven't shadowed current managers, it is a good rule of thumb to let a DCC staff member know of your interest so that we can keep you in mind if an opportunity suddenly arises. Otherwise, please be sure to keep an eye on your email inbox and follow the DCC Instagram account (@umd_dcc) during April-June, when we typically invite students to apply and interview for these positions!

*Note: these positions are usually staffed by students returning to DCC for their second year. First-year students are welcome to apply, but preference is given to rising sophomores.

Thank you for your interest in DCC’s Student Council, affectionally known as StuCo! Volunteering your time as a StuCo member is wonderful way to take a more active part in cultivating the DCC experience for yourself and your peers—and to help shape the program for generations to come.

Student Council elections are managed by returning StuCo members in September. All first-year students will be invited to run for open StuCo positions, and to cast a vote in the election. 

Please be reminded that Student Council is a both a privilege and a responsibility; members serve as leaders and representatives of DCC not only within the program, but to those outside of Prince Frederick Hall whom we consider friends. StuCo members who breach the university’s Code of Conduct and/or who fail to participate actively in StuCo activities will be removed.

DCC established a formal process for requesting letters of recommendation or support in Summer 2022. To review the process and submit a request, please visit the "Quick Resources" page and select "Request a Recommendation." Please be reminded that submitting a request does not necessarily guarantee that an appropriate letter can be provided.

Additionally, please do not submit any staff or faculty member's information until they have directly responded to/approved your request. 

We are delighted to hear that you’re not ready to leave us in the dust—we want you to always be able to find your way home to DCC! If you have completed the program, there are multiple ways for you to stay connected.

First, you can apply to return to the program as a Teaching Assistant. DCC Teaching Assistantships are available for academic credit and require you to enroll in 3 credits of ARHU338 Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship in a Living Learning Program. TAships are typically available during the Fall semesters, for HDCC201 and HDCC105. Please note that TAships are often competitive; if you are interested in this opportunity, please contact us as soon as possible.

Second, you can return to the program as a workshop/event host or instructor! Whether you’d like to host an event that’s part of our regular programming, or you’d like to pitch a new idea, we’d love to talk with you! Email us and we’ll get the ball rolling.*

Do you have ideas for other ways for alumni to get involved with DCC? Let us know!

*Note: DCC events are often planned several months in advance in order to give students a chance to make room in their calendars; the sooner you let us know, the better!

Yes! If we have extras in stock, we’d be happy to let you purchase new DCC merchandise/apparel. Contact us and we’ll arrange it.

Thank you so much for your interest in DCC! We love working with graduate students who have come on board as Graduate Assistants. We recruit GAs from any and all departments across campus, as long as you connect meaningfully with our program’s values, curriculum, and teaching philosophy. We are proud to offer 20-hour/week assistantships that give you invaluable experience in teaching (pitch, design, and teach your own course!), administration, project management, design, and event planning. We are also happy to provide you with funding support until you complete your degree.

While we do not always have open positions, we are always making plans as our current Graduate Assistants complete their graduate studies and move on from the university. If you’re interested in being considered for a current or future Graduate Assistantship in DCC, please reach out to Dr. Jessica Lu.

Thank you so much for your interest in DCC! Our faculty play an integral role in our students’ DCC experience—they bring expertise and support to Prince Frederick Hall in innumerable ways.

There are two ways to teach in DCC.

First, professors in the College of Arts and Humanities, iSchool, and Computer Science can negotiate to allocate part of their teaching load to the Honors College/DCC, subject to each unit’s respective needs. This can be a very complicated process and sometimes needs to be arranged semesters in advance; if you think you are interested in teaching in DCC via the university’s existing mechanisms for allocating pedagogical labor, please reach out to us as soon as possible. If your experience and expertise is a good fit for DCC, we will coordinate the necessary conversations between parties to explore our options together!

Second, instructors of any rank can teach in DCC via “overload,” for which you will be directly paid a per-course stipend. This option can be very flexible for all parties, as long as (1) our budget allows, and (2) you haven’t reached the max overload allowed by your university teaching contract. Let us know if you’re interested in this option, and we’ll see what we can do!

University faculty and graduate students typically contribute two types of courses to DCC’s curriculum:

First, you might pitch a course that aligns with our HDCC106 requirement. These courses dive deeply into humanistic concepts, theories, methods, and/or histories broadly related to design, culture, or creativity. HDCC106 courses typically take on a seminar-style format, with a rigorous reading and assignment schedule meant to inspire students’ deeper engagement with a focused topic. In the overall trajectory of the DCC curriculum, these courses prepare our students to think critically about the world and how they and others can intervene meaningfully in existing conversations, scholarship, and/or action. All HDCC106 courses satisfy the DSHU Humanities general-education requirement.

Second, you might pitch a course that aligns with our HDCC208 requirement. These courses have strong hands-on components—in both instruction and assessment—that prompt students to design, to create, and to tackle questions, problems, or issues by making things, in satisfaction of the university’s DSSP Scholarship-in-Practice general-education requirement. In the overall trajectory of the DCC curriculum, HDCC208 courses direct students toward making as a mode of thinking and intentionally prepare them to launch their own Capstone projects in the following semester. As such, these courses are most effective when they are designed to encourage self-direction, practice revision + experimentation, and foster problem-solving and project-management skills.

Beyond these criteria, HDCC106 and HDCC208 are wildly flexible and can often be interpreted to leverage your unique experience and expertise. If you think you have a great course for our students, we want to hear from you!

We’d love to discuss our Affiliate Faculty program with you! DCC’s Affiliate Faculty is comprised of folks from across campus with experience and expertise relevant to design, culture, and creativity. By affiliating with DCC, you will be the first to hear about teaching opportunities and program events; and, your courses elsewhere at the university will also be actively put on our students’ radar via our Instagram “Around ARHU” Spotlight series, launching Fall 2023.

If you want to work with DCC students in your own non-DCC classes or want to stay informed about opportunities to connect with/teach in DCC, let us know you’re ready to join our Affiliate Faculty today! All we need is your current CV and a brief statement about your connections to DCC’s mission, curriculum, values, and/or teaching philosophy.