UMUC's commitment to academic quality is evident in the university's assessment of student learning, faculty, and scholarly activities, as well as in its programs. The university works closely with its faculty and with business and other organizations to develop and maintain the relevance of its curricula. It also ensures that its academic programs have the same structure, requirements, and outcomes whether they are offered in Maryland classrooms, at overseas locations, or through online courses.

UMUC places a high priority on student learning and embraces the concept of learning assessment within instructional delivery and teaching practices. To provide evidence of student learning, the University adheres to a comprehensive learning assessment process that assesses student learning in specific core learning areas. Embedded within the curriculum of each degree program, these core learning areas represent the knowledge, skills, and dispositions expected of all UMUC graduates. Undergraduate core learning areas are effective communication, technology fluency, information literacy/research competence, quantitative literacy, critical thinking, scientific literacy, historical perspective, globalization/ diversity, scientific literacy, and specialized knowledge. Graduate core learning areas are effective communication, technology fluency, information literacy/research competence, quantitative literacy, critical thinking, globalization/diversity, and specialized knowledge. Assessment data for these core learning areas are used to continuously improve the quality of UMUC's academic programs.