Admission

Undergraduate Admission

Students may enroll either as a "degree seeking student" in a particular academic program (including undecided) or as a "non-degree seeking student". Prospective students should consult OneStop staff of the University of Massachusetts Global for specific information regarding enrollment forms and formal application procedures.

Degree Seeking Student Applicants

Prospective students wishing to obtain a degree or certificate are required to make formal application and may apply for admission into a degree seeking program at any time. Degree seeking students must meet the degree requirements published in the catalog current at the time of their program start term. Students who are readmitted after a 12 session or greater pause in enrollment must meet degree requirements published in the catalog current at the time of their program restart term. The offer of admission is valid for one year from the date of admission.

Requirements for Admissions

The prospective University of Massachusetts Global undergraduate student must demonstrate readiness to succeed in undergraduate-level academic coursework by satisfactorily fulfilling the following admission requirements, which apply to degree programs at the associate’s and bachelor’s level. Specific program admission requirements, when present, must also be met.

Evidence of high school completion or equivalent is required, which may consist of a high school diploma or transcript, a General Education Development (GED) certificate, a state-authorized high school equivalency certificate or diploma, a state-recognized Home Study certificate or transcript, or a document from an approved foreign evaluation service certifying completion of international high school coursework equivalent to a United States high school diploma.

Students must take LBSU 100 (Student Success Strategies) during their first session of coursework if they are admitted without a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher for courses from regionally accredited institutions, and/or without twelve (12) or more transferable credits. The 12 credits may consist of all or any combination of the following credit types: University of Massachusetts Global coursework, coursework from regionally accredited post-secondary institution(s), military, dual credit, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, approved PLA (Prior Learning Assessment), CLEP, (College Level Examination Program), Defense Language Proficiency Examination (DLAT/DLPT) and DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) scores, and ACE or University of Massachusetts Global evaluated trainings.

Prospective students must submit the following:

An online application.
Official transcripts from all institutions attended where college-level credit was earned. Credits from regionally accredited institutions may be accepted in transfer.
If no college-level credit has been earned, evidence of high school completion must be submitted as noted above.
University approved Other Credit Opportunities may be accepted in transfer.

Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university may be considered a violation of academic integrity. Non-satisfactory performance, including but not limited to probation, suspension, or expulsion, as well as issues of academic integrity may nullify the applicant’s eligibility to be admitted.

Official documents submitted for admission consideration become property of the University and cannot be returned or copied for distribution.

Academic Fresh Start

Academic Fresh Start is provided for undergraduate students who believe that their historical academic performance is not reflective of their current demonstrated ability to be successful. Undergraduate students applying for admission to University of Massachusetts Global through Academic Fresh Start may elect to have all academic coursework, completed at any institution of higher education ten or more years prior to the time of application, ignored for admission purposes. Once admitted under academic fresh start, the student will not receive credit for courses taken ten or more years prior to the date of admission to University of Massachusetts Global. Ignored coursework cannot be used to satisfy prerequisite or degree requirements at University of Massachusetts Global. Students seeking post baccalaureate admissions are not eligible for Academic Fresh Start.

Students applying for Academic Fresh Start must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended, including transcripts which include coursework completed ten or more years ago prior to the date of admission. The Academic Fresh Start Acknowledgement Form must also be completed. Coursework taken within ten years prior to the date of admission must meet current admission requirements. This coursework cannot be ignored. A minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA in college-level coursework taken within 10 years of the date of admission is required for formal acceptance into an undergraduate degree program.

Students newly admitted or readmitted (required when active student status has expired) to University of Massachusetts Global under Academic Fresh Start may elect to use the provisions of this program at University of Massachusetts Global only at the point of admission or readmission to University of Massachusetts Global. Once a student begins coursework, Academic Fresh Start status and policies are not petitionable and cannot be appealed. The decision is final and binding for their enrollment period.

There may be implications for financial aid and veterans benefits for students admitted under Academic Fresh Start. More information is available at https://www.umassglobal.edu/

Admission for International Students

UMass Global defines an international student as any student who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, non-citizen under protected status, or permanent resident and who resides outside of the United States. Not all UMass Global programs are open to international students, but admission to select programs may be considered.

To learn about UMass Global programs open to international student admission, visit https://www.umassglobal.edu/admissions/international-admission.

UMass Global is not a Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved school. Admission requests associated with visitor or exchange programs will not be considered by UMass Global.

Admission for Applicants with International Academic History

Applicants with international academic history must submit a completed transcript evaluation from IERF (International Education Research Foundation https://ierf.org/), World Education Services (https://wes.org) or other NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services https://www.naces.org/index) accredited member institution. A transcript evaluation is required to determine eligibility for admission. Evaluations must be no older than 1 year, must include a course-by-course report and must include a copy of the official academic documents/transcripts used in the evaluation by the agency. These documents should be uploaded directly into the application for admission.

Beginning a Subsequent Academic Program Policy

Students who complete any academic program in the Fall 1, Spring 1, or Summer 1 sessions cannot be admitted to another academic program until the beginning of the following Trimester (e.g., Fall 1, Spring 1, or Summer 1 of the next Trimester following the Trimester during which they completed the initial program). Students cannot complete one academic program and begin another academic program during the same Trimester.

This policy applies regardless of which type or level of program a student may be completing or beginning. This policy is not impacted by the use of financial aid.

While a student may not be admitted to a subsequent program during session 2 of a Trimester, they may apply for admission to another program during that session.

Students who complete any academic program in Fall 2, Spring 2, or Summer 2, and wish to begin another academic program the following session may do so if they are admitted to the second program in time to begin the subsequent program in that session.

Non-Degree Seeking Student Enrollees

Students wishing to take credit courses for personal enrichment, job improvement or prior to admission to a degree program may enroll and register as “non-degree seeking students”. Non-degree seeking students must meet all the prerequisites published in the catalog for enrollment in the individual courses. High school completion (diploma) or its equivalent is required for enrollment in individual courses, with the exception of those enrolled in a University of Massachusetts Global approved dual credit program. Bachelor degree completion is required for enrollment in any graduate level/credential course.

There is no limit on the number of credits that may be taken by a "non-degree seeking student". However, there is also no guarantee that such courses taken as a "non-degree seeking student" will be accepted toward meeting degree program requirements if the student formally applies for "degree seeking student" status at a later date. That student will then need to meet the degree requirements in the catalog current at the time of his or her formal admission acceptance into the degree program. Admission status is valid for one year from date of admission. If formally admitted to a degree program, an official evaluation will be completed to determine which program requirements have been met.

A “non-degree seeking student” is ineligible to receive most types of financial aid.

Graduate Admission

While requirements vary in each of University of Massachusetts Global’s graduate programs, this section provides information concerning university-wide admission standards as well as general admission policies and procedures. For specific program admission requirements, please refer to the appropriate program section.

Applicants seeking admission to graduate programs must submit to the Office of Admissions the following:

Completed application package listing all institutions attended. Applications are available online.
Official transcripts from the regionally accredited Baccalaureate degree granting institution, OR if applicant holds a Master’s or Doctoral degree, the official transcripts from the regionally accredited Master’s or Doctoral degree granting institution.
Transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions where post-baccalaureate coursework was completed and the applicant/student wishes to have those courses considered for transfer credit. Applicants/students may submit any additional transcripts that they wish to be considered as a part of their overall GPA requirement for admission.
Any graduate-level courses taken within the last 8 years must be submitted.
Transcripts may be requested from all institutions attended upon request for specific degree programs. Applicants should review the catalog information for the program to which the applicant desires admission.
Non-satisfactory performance, including but not limited to probation, suspension, or expulsion, as well as issues of academic integrity may nullify the applicant’s eligibility to be admitted.
Any additional evidence of eligibility required by the graduate program.

Official documents (including portfolios) submitted for admission consideration become property of the University and cannot be returned or copied for distribution.

Requirements for Admission

The prospective graduate student in University of Massachusetts Global must demonstrate his or her readiness to succeed in graduate-level academic coursework by satisfactorily fulfilling one of the following admission options. All graduate admissions options listed below require an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Specific program admission requirements must also be met.

Admission by GPA

A 2.75 grade point average (GPA) calculated over the most recent 30 graded semester (45 quarter) credits completed in either a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate program, including credits earned toward a credential. All credits used for GPA calculation must be from a regionally accredited institution. For graduates of regionally accredited institutions that do not conduct a GPA calculation, an official letter from the University determining grade equivalency will be accepted.

Admission by Prior Graduate Degree

An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.

Admission by Portfolio

Submission of a portfolio of evidence that shows adequate preparation for graduate studies. The portfolio will contain: writing samples that show graduate level communications and analytical skills; a detailed resume showing professional development and achievements; awards; professional recognition; letters of reference from persons who can attest to the applicant’s ability to do graduate level work; and a letter of explanation detailing the reasons the student believes they are a good candidate for graduate study in the discipline requested. If the portfolio meets substantive approval of the committee, the applicant may be invited for an interview. The decision of the School Graduate Admissions Committee will be final.

Conditional Admission

This admission status is available for applicants whose final completion of the baccalaureate degree or masters degree is pending at the time of application or their degree has been completed but not yet conferred. Applicants who have already completed 12 credits or more in a University of Massachusetts Global credential, graduate or doctoral program are not eligible for conditional admission.

Specific Requirements for Conditional Admission are:

Have fulfilled all University of Massachusetts Global graduate admission requirements and all specific program requirements for regular admission.
Certification by the degree-granting institution that the baccalaureate or masters degree can be completed at the conclusion of the trimester or session specified by the applicant.
The degree posting date must be prior to the beginning of the trimester or session for which the applicant has applied.
No more than twelve credits of graduate or doctoral coursework may be completed as a conditionally admitted student.

A final graduate classification is determined upon completion of the baccalaureate or masters degree based on graduate admission policies.

Students who complete coursework but who do not complete the admission application process (or are denied and later achieve admission) will be permitted to use only 12 credits of completed coursework toward a degree program.

Applicants who can provide documentation from the degree granting institution verifying that the degree has been completed will be eligible for financial aid.

Admission for International Students

To learn about UMass Global programs open to international student admission, visit https://www.umassglobal.edu/admissions/international-admission.

UMass Global is not a Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved school. Admission requests associated with visitor or exchange programs will not be considered by UMass Global.

Admission for Applicants with International Academic History

Beginning a Subsequent Academic Program Policy

This policy applies regardless of which type or level of program a student may be completing or beginning. This policy is not impacted by the use of financial aid.

While a student may not be admitted to a subsequent program during session 2 of a Trimester, they may apply for admission to another program during that session.

Non-degree Seeking Post Baccalaureate Students

Students who have not been granted regular admission status may be permitted to enroll and register as non-degree seeking post baccalaureate students via Flex Reg in MyUMassGlobal Self Service. Non-degree seeking students must meet all of the prerequisites published in the catalog for enrollment in individual courses. Bachelor degree completion is required for enrollment in any graduate/credential level course.

See specific program for details. However, no more than 12 credits of graduate coursework taken prior to achieving regular admission status may be applied toward a graduate degree at University of Massachusetts Global.