Getting Started & FAQ

Blackboard is the courseware management system that the University of Maryland, Baltimore uses for web-enhanced and web-based courses. 

Users log into Blackboard using their UMID username and password. Click here for more information about UMB Authentication.

Problems with Blackboard

If you experience problems logging in with your UMID username or password, call or email the Help Desk.

If you experience problems performing a task or accessing information you may need to clear your Browser cache.

Please see Clearing Your Browser Cache and Cookies

 

The following are commonly asked questions about setting up and using a Blackboard account.

Quick Links

How do I get a Blackboard Account?  ▾

If you have an active UMB Directory Account, a Blackboard account should already be created for you.

Employees and Affiliates

For new employees and affiliates, it may take some time between when you arrive on campus and when your UMB Directory Account is fully activated.  

Students

For students, once you register for classes, the system will create your Blackboard account. 

Q. I cannot see the courses I am registered for. How do I get access to those courses?

Please note that most Blackboard courses are not accessible by students until after the first day of the semester or term. If you are looking for the course before the first day of class, it may not be available to students yet.

If it is after the first day of classes, check to see if your instructor is using Blackboard. Not all courses have a Blackboard component. If your instructor is using Blackboard and other individuals in the class can see the course, check with the instructor to see if you have been added as a student to the Blackboard Course.

Q. How can I check to see if my UMB Account is active?

Employees, students, affiliates, and community system members can use the Online Campus Directory to check on the status of their UMB Account. (Click here to open the directory in a different window.)

Search for your name in the Campus Directory. Remember to search by the name that would be listed on your employee, student, affiliate, or community system record.

For more information or assistance, please email the Help Desk.

How do I access Blackboard? ▾

If you are logging into the Campus Blackboard system to access for-credit courses, go here to Blackboard. 

I get a ‘Shibboleth’ or IdP error message when I try to log in. ▾

You may be using an invalid or expired link to get to the Blackboard website. 

Close the web browser window you have open, open a new web browser window, and try the Blackboard website again. 

What browsers can I use to access Blackboard? ▾

See the Browser Support for Blackboard Learn

For the best Blackboard Learn experience with your screen reader, use Firefox® and JAWS® on a Windows® system. On a Mac® use Safari® and VoiceOver. Visit the Accessibility topic to learn more about Blackboard's approach to accessible software.