University of Massachusetts Lowell

University of Massachusetts Lowell undergraduate degree programs

The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is a public research university situated along the Merrimack River in the city of Lowell, about 25 miles from Boston and Cambridge. Its location within the region's major business corridor creates numerous internship, co-op, service learning, and research opportunities that provide students with real-world learning experience. "U.S. News and World Report" ranks UMass Lowell in its top tier of national universities. 

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is committed to excellence in teaching, research and community engagement. The university is dedicated to transformational education that fosters student success, lifelong learning and global awareness. UMass Lowell offers affordable, experience-based undergraduate and graduate academic programs taught by internationally recognized faculty who conduct research to expand the horizons of knowledge. The programs span and interconnect the disciplines of business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. The university continues to build on its founding tradition of innovation, entrepreneurship and partnerships with industry and the community to address challenges facing the region and the world.

UMass Lowell is part of the University of Massachusetts system. It's comprised of the Francis College of Engineering; College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (includes the School of Criminology and Justice Studies); Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences (includes the Solomont School of Nursing); Kennedy College of Sciences; College of Education; and Manning School of Business.

Academic programs overview

UMass Lowell offers more than 120 bachelor's, 42 master's, and 36 doctoral degree programs and more than a dozen accelerated bachelor's-to-master's degree options which allow students to earn two degrees in as few as five years.

The colleges of engineering, sciences, and health sciences offer a variety of interdisciplinary programs jointly, including a bio-medical engineering and technology minor. Pre-medical, pre-law, and other pre-professional advising is available to students in all majors. Intercollegiate programs in aerospace studies, robotics, and joint military studies are also available.

The UMass academic calendar comprises two semesters, a three-week break in January, and a summer term with two sessions. Full time undergraduates typically enroll in five courses each semester. UMass Lowell also offers a wide range of programs delivered online and on campus in the evenings. Numerous opportunities for study abroad include faculty-led courses, affiliate programs, exchanges, and more than 120 partnerships with prestigious institutions in 40 countries.

College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The College of Fine Art, Humanities & Social Sciences at UMass Lowell offers bachelor's degree programs in a broad range of study areas within the following majors: art & design; criminal justice and criminology; english; economics; history; legal studies; liberal arts; world languages and culture; music business; music performance (instrumental and vocal); music studies; peace and conflict studies, philosophy; political science; psychology; sociology; and sound recording technology.

Kennedy College of Sciences

The Kennedy College of Sciences offers bachelor's degree programs in a variety of study areas within the curricula of the following majors: biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, and physics.

James B. Francis College of Engineering

The James B. Francis College of Engineering at UMass Lowell offers nationally accredited bachelor's degree programs in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and plastics engineering.

Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences and Solomont School of Nursing

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences and Solomont School of Nursing offer nationally accredited bachelor's degree programs in a variety of study areas within clinical laboratory and nutritional sciences; community health and sustainability; exercise physiology, nursing, and public health. A BS degree completion program for registered nurses is offered through the Division of Online and Continuing Education.

Manning School of Business

The Manning School of Business at UMass Lowell offers bachelor's and bachelor-to-master's degrees in business administration, with concentrations in accounting, corporate finance, entrepreneurship, financial markets, general finance, international business, management, management information systems, marketing and supply chain management. All programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB).

College of Education

The College of Education at UMass Lowell offers widely respected master's, doctoral and initial certification courses. Undergraduates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) majors can gain classroom experience and a teaching minor through UTeach, a national teacher-training program whose only northeast chapter is at UMass Lowell. Bachelor's-to-master's programs with initial Massachusetts teaching licensure are also available through the Fast Track to Teaching Program.

Campus community and activities

The UMass campus community supports ethnic, cultural and economic diversity. Students come from all 50 states and more than 104 countries. The 150-acre urban UMass Lowell campus is in the midst of a bold expansion, with the opening of 12 new buildings since 2010. Housing is guaranteed for freshmen and available to most returning and transfer students. University housing comprises traditional residence halls, apartments, suites, and a combined conference hall and residence center located in downtown Lowell. 

More than 250 student organizations are active on campus, including dance and sports clubs, gaming groups, leadership societies, student government and a student-run FM radio station. The campus supports 17 Division I varsity sports, which compete in the America East and Hockey East conferences. Students can take part in intramural sports, fitness classes and an outdoor adventure program through the campus recreation center. The 7,800-seat Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell hosts national concerts and events as well as the university's men's hockey team.

Small classes, respected faculty

The student-faculty ratio at UMass Lowell is 17:1. About 50% of undergraduate classes have fewer than 20 students. UMass employs more than 540 full time faculty members, and about 500 part-time faculty. Faculty members are dedicated educators and respected researchers who extend the learning experience beyond the classroom. Graduate teaching assistants also hold part-time instructional positions as discussion section leaders and laboratory teaching assistants.

Financial assistance

UMass Lowell offers financial assistance to students in the form of loans, scholarships, grants and campus employment opportunities.