University of Massachusetts Boston - Overview
Boston Offers Many Opportunities for UMass Students
Located in America's favorite college town -- Boston, Massachusetts -- UMass Boston is the city's only public university, providing access to superior education at a modest cost for citizens of Massachusetts, New England, the US, and the world.
By virtue of its urban setting, the university is able to maintain a high level of energy, creativity, culture, sophistication, diversity, and complexity in its student experience -- a level often not found in more suburban or rural institutions. The city itself is a source of internships, co-op experiences, employment, community services, and research opportunities. Living in an urban environment helps students understand their roles as citizens, actively engaging with the complex issues they encounter. UMass Boston and its students are confidently at home in the urban environment, enriching its quality on the one hand, and at the same time drawing life and strength from it.
Everything, from Fenway Park and the Bank of America Garden to Symphony Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts, is easily accessible from UMass Boston.
UMass Boston - The Research University with a Teaching Soul
With a growing reputation for innovative interdisciplinary research that brings creative minds and acute intellects to bear on the complex issues of metropolitan life, the University of Massachusetts Boston is committed to providing and supporting first-rate, student-centered education for its highly diverse body of serious, focused commuter students.
UMass Boston faculty members have strong research and publishing credentials, yet teaching is an ongoing, key priority. Students have easy daily access to faculty as teaching takes place mostly in smaller classrooms, rather than giant lecture halls.
University of Massachusetts in Boston - Degrees Offered
UMass Boston students share a strong motivation to succeed academically and the desire to relate classroom pursuits to career aspirations. The University Advising Center provides comprehensive academic support, planning, and career advising services. A team of professional counselors provides personalized assistance for students to design their course of study, utilize tutorial and mentoring services, choose a major and career path, and develop interviewing, resume writing, and job-search skills.
Multiple undergraduate colleges award bachelor's degrees: the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science and Mathematics (with 37 majors, 18 minors and programs of study, and 8 certificate programs between them), the College of Management (with 2 majors and 13 concentrations), the College of Public and Community Services (4 majors and certificate programs), the College of Education and Human Development (2 undergraduate programs), and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (with a BSN, an online RN-to-BSN, and an accelerated BSN program, as well as the BS in Exercise and Health Sciences program).
Also offered are premed, prelaw, and teacher licensure programs for undergraduates, along with programs for honors study, credit by examination, and advanced placement. Students are encouraged to participate fully in designing their own academic plan.
UMass Boston's Library and Research Resources
UMass Boston shares its landscaped peninsula with the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, as well as the Massachusetts Archives and Museum building. The university shares resources with both institutions.
The university's own Healey Library offers access to library and research resources throughout the area via its associations with various library consortia. In addition to its own collection, the Healey Library houses a fully equipped Media Lab and Viewing Center, IT administrative services and computer labs, as well as a Graduate Resource Center. The media and computer labs provide wide access to electronic information and research sources, and communication options. UMass's beautiful Campus Center, housing student services, a number of stunningly beautiful meeting spaces and dining options, also provides wi-fi services throughout the building, as do many other campus buildings.
Financial Aid at UMass Boston
Financial aid is based on need and/or merit. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), keeping in mind a priority deadline of March 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester. Need-based aid is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need, as determined by federal methodology.
Aid consists of grants, waivers, and merit scholarships as well as self-help in the form of loans and work-study employment. An on-time applicant is automatically considered for all financial aid programs administered by the university's Office of Financial Aid Services.
Housing at UMass Boston
The Office of Student Housing helps students to find appropriate living situations in the area for all commuter students. They offer local listings of rental houses and apartments, roommate matching services, and maintain agreements with housing complexes, which have resident student advisers and are within walking distance of the campus.
Applying to UMass Boston
UMass Boston accepts first year and transfer students. Applicants have the option of using the Common Application or UMass Boston's application. Both have online versions, which is the format preferred by the university (though they can be downloaded and printed as hard-copies). Viewbooks and catalogs can be requested by calling 617.287.6000 or e-mailing enrollment.info@umb.edu.