Admission

Undergraduate Admission

Students may enroll either as a degree-seeking, certificate-seeking, or non-degree seeking student.

Prospective students who apply for admission must demonstrate readiness to succeed in undergraduate-level academic coursework by satisfactorily meeting the admission criteria published below, which apply to degree programs at the associate’s and bachelor’s level, as well as to undergraduate certificates. Specific program admission requirements, when present, must also be met. Degree seeking students must meet the degree requirements published in the catalog current at the time of their program start term.

An offer of admission is valid for one year from the original admit term. An admitted student will be assigned the most current catalog and requirements according to their chosen start term. An applicant’s ability to remain admitted to the same degree program is contingent upon availability of that degree program at the time of restart.

Previously enrolled UMass Global students must apply for readmission after a 12 session or greater pause (also referred to as a “stop out”) in enrollment and must meet admission requirements published in the catalog current at the time of their reapplication. A former student’s ability to continue in the same degree program they vacated is contingent upon program availability at the time of restart.

Previously enrolled students who have been stopped out for fewer than 12 sessions, may not need to reapply for admission to continue enrollment in their program; they should consult with an Academic Advisor first.

Applicants seeking admission to undergraduate level programs must submit the following to the Office of Admission:

An online application with a complete list of all previously attended institutions where college level credit was earned.
Official transcripts from all institutionally accredited institutions attended. Transcripts from institutionally accredited institutions of higher education will be reviewed and processed for transfer credit. To be eligible for transfer, the credits must have been earned at an institution that is accredited by an agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, unless otherwise specified by specific program or professional accreditation requirements. For the university to accept credit in transfer, the coursework must be completed during dates that the institution or relevant program was institutionally accredited. Courses taken through a foreign institution may also be eligible for transfer, if the official evaluation report demonstrates equivalency.
If no college-level credit has been earned, evidence of high school completion or equivalent must be submitted as noted below in the criteria for admission.
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.

All documents submitted for admission consideration become property of the University and will not be returned or copied for distribution.

Criteria for Admission to an Undergraduate Degree Program

Students may be admitted with transferable credits from an institutionally accredited institution of higher education with a 2.0 GPA or higher.

If no college level credits have been earned, then evidence of high school completion or equivalent is required. This may consist of a high school diploma or official 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 who are admitted without 12 or more college level transferrable credits demonstrating a 2.0 GPA from an institutionally accredited institution of higher education will be required to take LBSU 100 (Student Success Strategies) during their first session of coursework. The 12 credits may consist of all or any combination of the following credit types: University of Massachusetts Global coursework, coursework from institutionally 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.

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 unless otherwise specified. 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.

Beginning a Subsequent Academic Program Policy

Students completing an academic program at UMass Global may apply to and be admitted to another academic program. Admission to and enrollment and/or registration in the new program may occur no sooner than the trimester following the conferral date of the program being completed. Students may not 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.

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 is admitted to a degree program at a later date. That student will need to meet the degree requirements in the catalog current at the time of his or her formal admission to the degree program. An offer of admission is valid for one year from the original admit term. 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

Prospective students who apply for admission must demonstrate readiness to succeed in graduate-level academic coursework by satisfactorily meeting all admission criteria which apply to degree, credential, and certificate programs.

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

Applicants seeking admission to graduate level programs (including degrees, credentials, and certificates) must submit the following to the Office of Admission:

An online application with a complete list of all previously attended institutions where any college and graduate level credits were attempted and/or earned.
Official transcripts from the highest level, most recently earned degree from an institutionally accredited institution:

a. If the highest, most recently earned degree was a graduate level degree (master’s or doctoral degree), an official transcript from that conferring institution is required.

b. If the highest, most recently earned degree was a bachelor’s degree, an official transcript from that conferring institution is required.

c. If graduate level or credential coursework was taken after the bachelor’s degree, regardless of whether a master’s or other graduate level degree or credential was completed, those transcripts are required in addition to the bachelor’s degree transcripts.

Official transcripts from any graduate-level courses taken at an institutionally accredited institution within the last 8 years must be submitted.

3. Transcripts may be requested from all institutions attended depending on specific degree program or professional accreditation requirements.

4. Any additional evidence of eligibility, or supplementary documents required by the graduate program or professional accreditation.

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

Criteria for Admission to a Graduate Degree Program

Prospective graduate students must satisfactorily fulfill one of the following admission eligibility options. All graduate admission options listed below require at minimum an earned bachelor’s degree from an institution that is accredited by an agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation unless otherwise specified by program or professional accreditation requirements. A bachelor’s degree taken at a foreign institution may also be eligible if official evaluation report demonstrates equivalency.

Admission by GPA

A 2.75 grade point average (GPA) calculated over the most recent 30 graded semester (45 quarter) credits completed in bachelor's or post-bachelor's program, including credits earned toward a teaching or other credential. All credits used for GPA calculation must be from an institutionally accredited institution. For graduates of institutionally 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 an institutionally 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

Conditional admission is offered to applicants whose highest level, most recently completed degree has not been conferred at the time of application, but all requirements have been satisfied.

Criteria for Conditional Admission:

Applicant has satisfied all University of Massachusetts Global graduate admission requirements and all specific program or professional accreditation specific requirements for regular admission.
Applicant has provided written certification by the degree-granting institution that all requirements for the recent degree will be completed prior to the start of the first graduate course at UMass Global.
For graduates of other colleges and universities, the conferral date must be prior to the beginning of the applicant’s intended graduate program start session.
For graduates of UMass Global, conditional admission to a graduate program can be offered no sooner than the start of the trimester following the conferral date of the most recently completed degree. This will automatically be adjusted for applicants as necessary.
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 bachelor's or master's 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

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.

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.

Non-degree Seeking Post Baccalaureate Students

Students wishing to enroll as a non-degree seeking student have two options:

1. Applicants who have not been admitted yet may be permitted to register as non-degree seeking post baccalaureate students if their intended program permits. If an internal university applicant has not achieved conferral in their prior UMass Global degree/program, they may not register as a non-degree seeking student. Please refer to the Subsequent Academic Program policy above.

2. Non-degree seeking students who have no intention of applying or registering in a degree program must meet all of the prerequisites published in the catalog for enrollment in any individual courses in which they wish to register. Not all graduate courses permit non-degree students to register.

Bachelor’s degree completion is required for enrollment in any graduate/credential level course.

To register, candidates must contact OneStop Student Services for registration and payment processing.

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.