Admission to the IAA is granted without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or disability. The IAA seeks to enroll students who demonstrate the potential for academic success, which is assessed by examination of high school and/or previous college course work and the results of standardized tests. Please note that enrollment is limited in the Golf Course Management and Equine Business Management options. Enrollment is competitive and based on academic records, industry experience, references and personal interviews. Eligible students may be placed on a waiting list until space becomes available.

Admission Requirements

High School Record: To be admitted into the IAA, students must be high school graduates or have the equivalent documentation. The IAA must receive an official high school transcript with verification of graduation. Admission prior to graduation from high school will be conditional until the student completes the high school curriculum and has a final official transcript sent to the IAA office. The applicant's academic achievement will be based, in part, on information provided by the high school transcript.

Standardized Tests: Applicants must take the IAA Entrance Exams for math and writing, or submit results from either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test Assessment (ACT). Submission of these test scores may be waived if the applicant documents successful completion of selected college courses prior to enrollment at the IAA.

Previous College Records: Previous College Records: Students with prior college experience are to submit official transcripts from all educational institutions attended. College transcripts will be reviewed for both admission purposes and transfer course credit. A student's college transcript(s) will take precedence over the high school transcript in determining admission.

Additional Criteria: Standardized test scores and grade-point average on selected courses will be used to help determine the applicant's potential for academic success, but they are not the sole factors in deciding the applicant's admissibility. Personal interviews and letters of recommendation may also be considered.

Application Deadline

Students may apply any time after they have completed their junior year of high school. The IAA accepts applications year round and has rolling admissions. The IAA works with students' schedules and aims to admit students for the earliest possible semester. However, students who would like to be considered for on-campus housing should apply by January 15 for the Fall semester.

Application Procedure

An applicant for full- or part-time admission may print out an application form or call the IAA office at (301) 405-4685.

1. The applicant should complete the form and return it to the Institute of Applied Agriculture with a nonrefundable $55 application fee (check or money order), payable to the University of Maryland. Please include the applicant's social security number on the check or money order.
2. Each applicant is responsible for assuring that the IAA receives his or her SAT or ACT scores and official high school transcript with verification of graduation.
3. When taking the SAT or ACT, have official scores sent to the Institute of Applied Agriculture, 2123 Jull Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.
4. The transfer applicant should arrange to have all official transcripts sent to the IAA from all institutions where college work was attempted or completed. To be considered for transfer credit, all official transcripts must be submitted to the IAA by the time the student enrolls in IAA classes. <
5. Applications of admitted students who do not enroll for the given semester are canceled. Students wishing to enroll in subsequent semesters must reapply and pay the application fee.
6. The University of Maryland requires all incoming students (born after December 31, 1956) to document their immunization dates of measles, rubella, tetanus/diphtheria, and mumps. Students born before 1957 are considered immune. International students also need to provide information regarding testing for tuberculosis.
7. The Immunization Record form must be completed, signed by a physician and returned to the University Health Center before the first day of classes. The form is available at http://www.health.umd.edu/forms/Immuform09.pdf. Students who fail to return the form or to correct inadequacies in immune status will have their registration canceled or blocked.

Continuing Education Program

The Continuing Education Program is designed for students who already work in the industry and want to enroll in selected IAA courses, but not complete an entire certificate program. Continuing education also assists industry with employee education and training, by allowing employees to take courses as needed. The program strives to cultivate individuals for management and prepare personnel for industry certification exams.
      Tuition, fees, and grading options are the same as for those enrolled in the IAA's certificate program. Those participating in the IAA Continuing Education Program must:

1. Complete an IAA application form and mail it and the application fee to the IAA.
2. Provide documentation of high school graduation or the equivalent. A copy of your high school diploma or GED may be used.

Additional Information:
Continuing Education students may register for a maximum of two courses per semester and must meet course prerequisites.

1. Course registration is based on available space with priority given to regular admission students.
2. Academic credit for courses taken in the Continuing Education program may be applied toward the completion of an IAA program option provided the student fulfills all regular admission requirements.
3. Continuing Education students do not qualify for current IAA scholarships.
4. Continuing Education students are not required to attend IAA Orientation; however, they are welcome to do so.

Out of State Applicants

Non-Maryland residents are welcome to apply for admission to the IAA. Should enrollment be limited, priority will be given to Maryland residents since the Institute's primary obligation is to the State. A student's residency status is determined by the University's Office of Admissions prior to the student's first enrollment. Petitions for review of residency, related documents and questions concerning the University of Maryland's residency policy should be directed to:

Until reclassification is officially granted, a student must pay tuition and fees based on the previous out-of-state classification.

International Applicants The IAA accepts applications from individuals who are not citizens of the United States. International students must contact the Director of International Educational Services, 3116 Mitchell Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. (301-314-7740) for specific requirements regarding transcripts, visas, TOFEL testing and financial responsibility.

Golden ID Program
The IAA participates in the University of Maryland's Golden Identification Card Program, which allows senior citizens to take advantage of course offerings. People who are 60 years old or older, who are legal residents of Maryland, and are retired (not engaged in gainful employment for more than 20 hours per week) are eligible.
         College Park tuition is waived. An administrative fee is charged each semester. During the first week of classes, Golden ID students register on a space available basis for a maximum of three courses per semester. Golden ID students must meet all course prerequisite and co-requisite requirements. The appropriate application fee will be assessed.
Additional information may be obtained from:

Mitchell Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 314-8385

Guidelines for Transfer Credit
To have previous college work evaluated for possible transfer credits, students must

1. Complete the application form and mail it to the IAA, and
2. Have an up-to-date official transcript of all college work sent to the IAA. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the IAA from the student's prior school and must carry that school's verification seal.

Once a student has been admitted, his/her official transcript will be evaluated based on course descriptions and grades earned. The course or courses under consideration must be similar in content to courses at the IAA. Students may be asked to supply course descriptions or syllabi from previous courses.

Courses completed at Maryland public two and four year institutions may be transferred to the IAA with a letter grade "D" (4.0 scale) or above, provided the course is equivalent in content and scope of courses offered at IAA, and the grades in the block of courses transferred averages 2.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) Each institution will be considered separately!

For courses to be transferred from non-Maryland public institutions, a grade of "C" or better must be earned.

Credits for transfer courses count toward the total number of credits required for graduation. Only the credit hours are transferred; grades are not. A student may transfer up to 36 credit hours to the IAA program from other institutions.

Individual conferences to discuss the transfer of course work may be arranged by calling the IAA at (301) 405-4685.

For additional information please complete the Information Request, or on the Admissions Page, download the Student Handbook (pdf document).