A common source of concern among UMBC students is the residency requirement, commonly called the 30-credit rule. UMBC's residency requirement states that the final 30 credits of a student's degree must be completed at UMBC.

Many students fear that this means they may not study abroad during their senior year. This is definitely not the case. Students may earn up to fifteen credits on an approved study abroad program during their senior year. They must, however, be enrolled on campus during their last semester. Therefore, students may study abroad as late as their second-to-last semester prior to graduation.

An important note: Through pre-approval, all UMBC students may request (through completion of a residency waiver form in the Registrar's Office) permission to take a maximum of two courses (up to 8 credits) at another institution during their senior year. For students who go abroad in their senior year, approval of the Study Abroad Verification of Transferability form constitutes residency waiver approval for up to 15 credits, which is well above and beyond the credit maximums approved for seniors wishing to transfer non-study-abroad courses. Therefore, no further residency waivers can be approved to take coursework at other institutions upon your return to UMBC.