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Adelphi, Md.—University of Maryland University College (UMUC) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Walgreens, the nation's largest drug store chain, to offer its employees, their spouses and dependents the opportunity to complete degrees or pursue higher education at UMUC. Through the agreement, employees, their spouses and dependents are eligible for a waiver of UMUC's application fee and non-Maryland residents will receive a 25 percent discount on out-of-state tuition rates.

"UMUC is proud to work with Walgreens through a relationship that will give employees, their spouses and dependents the opportunity to complete a degree or pursue higher education," said UMUC Acting Provost Marie Cini. "Providing access to affordable, high-quality education is important to UMUC, and we look forward to working alongside Walgreens to provide its employees the opportunity to reach their educational and professional goals."

Under the agreement, Walgreens employees, their spouses and dependents can take individual courses or enroll in any of UMUC's 95 undergraduate and graduate degree or certificate programs, most of which are available fully online. Students enrolling in UMUC's undergraduate school may transfer credits from other universities and/or be awarded credit for prior learning if eligible under UMUC's standard policies and procedures.

"To meet our company goals, we need a workforce that learns and grows every day through opportunities available when, where and how each individual needs it," said Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, Walgreens senior vice president chief human resources officer. "We aim to be the best in our industry for employee education and training, and among the best of all major American corporations. For Walgreens to compete effectively and expand our business, our team members need to continuously grow new skills and capabilities throughout their careers with us."

About University of Maryland University College University of Maryland University College (UMUC), headquartered in Adelphi, Maryland, is the largest public university in the United States, serving 97,000 students and offering 95 undergraduate and graduate programs online and on-site. In addition, UMUC is one of the largest public providers of online higher education in the nation. UMUC takes pride in its 65-year history of service to the military and currently enrolls an estimated 50,000 military service members, veterans, and their dependents each year. The university offers face-to-face instruction at 20 locations throughout Maryland and educational services in 28 countries and territories and more than 150 locations worldwide, including the Middle East. UMUC is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a constituent institution of the University System of Maryland, an agency of the State of Maryland.

About Walgreens As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2012 sales of $72 billion,  vision is to become America's first choice for health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 8,067 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.