UMass Online - University of Massachussetts Online

About

Where Is UMass Located?

University of Massachusetts is available online and also has four physical campuses available for students. Campus locations can be found in:

Amherst
Boston
Dartmouth
Lowell

Is UMass Online Accredited?

UMass Online is regionally accredited. Before we explain, keep in mind that there are two types of accreditation: regional and national.

National accreditation is more common for trade and technical schools. National accreditation does not necessarily ensure that credits can be transferred from school to school. UMass Online is regionally accredited.

Regional accreditation helps ensure that credits can transfer from school to school. It also helps ensure that students who pursue degrees in certain subjects, such as teaching, accounting, and healthcare, can pursue licensure. Regional accreditation is typical for public research universities like the University of Massachusetts.

Is UMassOnline regionally accredited?

UMassOnline is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The NEASC is an independent nonprofit organization. It works with the University of Massachusetts and other regional schools to establish and maintain high standards and quality education.

Regional accreditation helps ensure that credits can be easily transferred between schools.

Is Umass online hard to get into?

Even though UMassOnline offers programs that students can access without being on campus, its admissions standards and requirements vary by campus. Why is that? Primarily because UMassOnline offers the same courses to on-campus and online students. The only difference is that online students access their courses remotely. Therefore, you’ll be applying to programs offered by specific campuses.

How hard it is to get into UMassOnline therefore depends on the program and campus you apply to.

Accreditation

UMassOnline is regionally accredited by NEASC, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (209 Burlington Road, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730-1433; 781-271-0022). In addition, many of each campus' schools and colleges are also accredited by discipline-specific agencies.

Online Programs

Program Listings

Bachelor’s Degree Programs
- Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs
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  The online Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs is the first undergraduate degree program to be offered in the College of Advancing and Professional Studies (CAPS), parlaying the college’s historical strengths in creating a collaborative interdisciplinary environment while meeting the needs of students and Commonwealth alike, all while supporting the mission and strategic priorities of the university .
  This program aims to prepare its students for the real world issues that plague the 21st Century by offering courses that include topics in: Culture, International Public Policy, International Security, International Development and Economics and International Environment and Geography. When coupled with a hands-on internship, students will have the flexibility of studying on their time schedule and getting the experience they need to succeed in their chosen area of Global Studies.
  The College of Advancing and Professional Studies (CAPS) has a history of creating collaborative interdisciplinary programs that meet the needs of students in an ever changing world.The program will anchor the portfolio of the college, support its mission to provide the best in applied and theoretical education, and move forward the strategic plan of the university, preparing students for their role in a transnational world.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- RN to BS (Boston)
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  The UMass Boston Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing for RNs program maximizes accessibility and convenience for highly motivated, independent professionals. There is, however, a requirement that students attend a residential orientation prior to the commencement of the online nursing classes.
  The Nursing course portion of the program operates on a cohort model, whereby a group of students completes the same program of study over five semesters.
  The six-credit nursing courses are taught online in the Summer, Fall and Spring sessions. The twenty credits of non-nursing general education and elective courses may be satisfied through College of Advancing and Professional Studies (UC) at UMass Boston with online courses (if available), in a traditional course at UMass Boston, or (with prior approval from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences) at another accredited college or university.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
Master’s Degree Programs
- M.Ed. Vision Studies (Orientation and Mobility)
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  The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is offering a M.Ed. Vision Studies (Orientation and Mobility). The 37-credit online graduate curriculum and resulting degree is regionally accessible across the six New England states with locally-based field experience coordinated throughout the two-year program of study. Students completing the 37-credit web-based curriculum are eligible to sit for the National Professional Certification Examination of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals. Orientation and Mobility Specialists teach both children and adults with vision loss safety and confidence in independent travel skills.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- M.Ed. Vision Studies (Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments)
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  The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is offering a M.Ed. Vision Studies (Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment) that leads to state licensure as "Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments". The 37-credit online graduate curriculum and resulting degree is regionally accessible across the six New England states with locally-based field experience coordinated throughout the two-year program of studies. Students completing Massachusetts Department of Education licensure requirements are able to apply for reciprocal licensure in each of the six New England states and each state participating in the NASDTEC interstate licensure agreement. Massachusetts requires demonstrated competency through examination in Literacy, Foundations of Teaching Reading, and the General Curriculum for Elementary Education.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- M.Ed. Vision Studies (Vision Rehabilitation Therapy)
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  The Master's in Education with a specialization in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy is an excellent option for those who want to work in a professional setting assisting adult populations who are visually impaired. The curriculum is aimed to integrate compensatory skills and assistive technology enabling them to live safe, productive, and independent lives.
  
  Individuals who would like to pursue the Master's in Education with a specialization in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and complete a total of 37 credits. Credits earned through the Graduate Certificate in Visual Rehabilitation Therapy can be counted towards the M.Ed.
  
  Specific areas of instruction taught by Vision Rehabilitation Therapists include:
  
  Communication Systems (Braille, handwriting, recording skills, use of electronic reading systems, use of assistive technology and computer access technology, etc.)
  Personal Management (grooming, hygiene, clothing organization, medical measurement, socialization skills, etc.)
  Home Management (organization and labeling, repair and home maintenance, budgeting and record keeping, etc.)
  Activities of Daily Living (cooking, cleaning, shopping, safety, money organization and management, etc.)
  Leisure and Recreation (hobbies, woodworking, crafts, sports, etc.)
  Psychosocial Aspects of Blindness and Vision Loss
  Medical Management (assessment and instruction and training of adaptive medical equipment)
  Basic Orientation and Mobility Skills (sighted guide, safety techniques, etc.)
  
  Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work with a number of special populations among persons who are blind or visually impaired including persons who are deaf-blind, college students, persons over 55 years old, children in transition to adult services, persons who are multiply disabled, employed persons requiring ""on the job training"" or workplace management, and veterans.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction: Autism Studies Option
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  The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Studies Option is a 30-credit (10-course) master's degree program which can be completed entirely online. Offered through UMass Lowell's Graduate School of Education in cooperation with the Psychology Department, this interdisciplinary program combines UMass Lowell's award-winning Behavioral Intervention in Autism online graduate certificate program with one of the University's most popular online Master's degree programs in Curriculum and Instruction.
  Please note: This program does not lead to teacher licensure. Candidates interested in pursuing this Master's Degree Option must first complete four of the courses as part of the Online Graduate Certificate Program in Behavioral Intervention in Autism. Generally, all four certificate courses will be transferred into the M.Ed. degree (if the candidate has earned a grade of B or better); however, if the candidate has taken an elective as part of the certificate, that is not also on the list of courses below, this course will be assessed by faculty for its appropriateness for the M.Ed.
- Master's in Applied Linguistics
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  The MA Program in Applied Linguistics at UMass Boston is comprehensive in its scope and designed to introduce students to the theoretical, empirical and practical dimensions of applied linguistics. This program includes concentrations in bilingual education, ESL instruction for English language learners (ELLs), and foreign language pedagogy, which includes English as a Foreign Language. The Program emphasizes both theory and practice. These areas of inquiry are reflected in faculty and student research and the intellectual diversity characterizing the content of the various courses that students will be taking.
  Curriculum:
  Its interdisciplinary core curriculum includes courses in:
  - Basic theoretical linguistics, applied linguistics
  - Psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics
  - Discourse analysis and ethnographic research methods
  - ESL/EFL methodologies
  - Cross cultural studies
  The program is thus designed to enable students to understand the diversity of issues inherent in the study of language so they are well prepared to teach and do research in applied linguistics. Students pursuing the MA in Applied Linguistics have a wide range of opportunities, including conducting research, working with community-based organizations, or preparing to teach in various contexts, such as public schools, K-12, adult education, and language schools outside the United States. Many of our students go on to pursue doctoral work in such fields as linguistics, education, and literacy studies. Prospective students need not have teaching experience to be considered for acceptance into the program.
  The program operates on a cohort model whereby all participants complete the same program of study over a two-year period.
  Program Highlights:
  - First - Rate Faculty
  - Flexibility and Convenience
  - Teaching English as a Second Language Concentration
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states..
- Master's in Gerontology - Management of Aging Services
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  UMass Online's Master's in Gerontology - Management of Aging Services offers students an advanced degree in the growing field of aging services. This includes long-term care, service-supported housing, community-based services, marketing to an aging population, and health services for those requiring chronic care. The program will afford professionals in the aging network the opportunity to broaden their perspectives and develop skills in policy development and analysis, program management, administration, and finance with a focus on the aging population. A student may register for any of the courses without having to apply for and be accepted into the Master's Program. If the student is accepted into the Master's Program at a later date, a maximum of two courses may be counted toward that degree.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Master of Arts in Critical and Creative Thinking
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  The Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) program at the University of Massachusetts Boston provides its students with knowledge, tools, experience, and support so they can become constructive, reflective agents of change in education, work, social movements, science, and creative arts.
  
  Critical thinking, creative thinking, and reflective practice are valued, of course, in all fields. In critical thinking we seek to scrutinize the assumptions, reasoning, and evidence brought to bear on an issue—by others and by oneself; such scrutiny is enhanced by placing ideas and practices in tension with alternatives. Key functions of creative thinking include generating alternative ideas, practices, and solutions that are unique and effective, and exploring ways to confront complex, messy, ambiguous problems, make new connections, and see how things could be otherwise. In reflective practice we take risks and experiment in putting ideas into practice, then take stock of the outcomes and revise our approaches accordingly.
  The rationale for a Master’s program of study in CCT is that an explicit and sustained focus on learning and applying ideas and tools in critical thinking, creative thinking, and reflective practice allows students involved in a wide array of professions and endeavors to develop clarity and confidence to make deep changes in their learning, teaching, work, activism, research, and artistry. By the time CCT students finish their studies they are prepared to teach or guide others in ways that often depart markedly from their previous schooling and experience. In these processes of transformation and transfer, CCT students have to select and adapt the ideas and tools presented by faculty with diverse disciplinary and interdisciplinary concerns. Although each CCT course is self-contained and is open to students from other graduate programs, students matriculated in the Program benefit from extended relationships with core CCT faculty and fellow students that support their processes of learning—experimenting and taking risks in applying what they are learning, reflecting on the outcomes and revising accordingly, and building up a set of tools, practices, and perspectives that work in their specific professional or personal endeavors.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Master of Arts in History
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  The Online Master of Arts in History offers a rigorous set of required and elective courses, along with supervised research and writing projects. Both demanding and flexible, the Online History MA is designed to appeal to students with a wide variety of interests and professional goals.
  All courses in the program will be taught by tenure-stream faculty in the History Department. Students accepted into the Online History MA will take all of their classes online.
  The focus of the Online MA curriculum is Modern US and European history, though courses will also be offered in non-Western and Early Modern areas as well.
  This program should be taken by:
  Secondary school teachers who wish to improve their content knowledge in the field of history or need an MA for licensure, certification or promotion.
  College graduates:
  - Who want to test their capacity for graduate work beyond their undergraduate studies
  - Considering Law School
  - Considering careers in journalism and media
  - Considering careers in public humanities
  - Considering careers that require writing and research
  - Interested in going on to a PhD
  - Interested in teaching at the primary or secondary levels
  - Living beyond commuting distance from UMass Boston
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Master of Arts in Science in A Changing World
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  The Master of Arts in Science in a Changing World is formally a track within the Critical and Creative Thinking graduate program. This 33 credit program prepares students to focus on science in the context of social change or individual intellectual development. This program is a joint effort of two other university programs: science, technology, and values, and critical and creative thinking. Course material, classroom activities, teaching/learning interactions, and projects focused on real-world problems provide students opportunities to:
  - Learn about science and its social context
  - Gain a set of models for work in education, policy, and other areas of civic engagement
  - Discuss practices and philosophies of science, education, and social change; and
  - Undertake research with a view to engaging with science in a changing social and personal world.
  Students with diverse backgrounds and career paths — from laboratories to field research, journalism to policy formulation, teaching to activism — are welcome to join the track. In addition to examining science and its social context, students develop valuable professional skills in research, writing, and evaluation for civic engagement and in collaborative processes and problem-based teaching around current controversies involving science and technology.
  Science in a Changing World students graduate well-prepared to move across the persistent divide between sciences and humanities. They are able to participate in questioning and shaping the direction of scientific and social changes, as well as to teach and engage others to participate in this important endeavor. Master's degree students, graduate students from other programs, and advanced undergraduates are welcome to enroll in individual courses.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Master of Education in Instructional Design
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  The M.Ed. in Instructional Design is an ideal master's degree for career professionals engaged in the education, training and development of adult learners in the workplace. Students experience a dynamic learning process and curriculum that meets the current educational demands of the marketplace. This unique program is a comprehensive course of study that gives equal importance to both the design and delivery of adult instruction. Applications of this process appear in every kind of organization including business and industry, educational institutions, government agencies, the military, health care, and professional societies. This multi-disciplinary academic program requires 36 credits for completion. Four core classes (12 credits) are taught on the Boston campus and all participants must be present. The remaining courses can be taken via a web-based online format that follows a semester calendar. By offering the majority of the courses online, students are better able to control their schedules as they work toward the degree. Using the principles and practices of adult education, theoretical and applied courses concentrate in three areas: building a foundation/conceptual framework for the instructional design process; developing instructional strategies and skills to facilitate adult learning; and using educational media and technology to enhance the learning process.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Master of Education in School Counseling
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  This program is designed to meet the needs of a local, national and international audience of adults wishing to enter the School Counseling field. It is a 60-credit master's which meets the academic requirements for certification in the state of Massachusetts as a School Counselor.
  The program operates on a cohort model whereby all participants complete the same program of study. Two weeks of on campus study is required to complete two clinical courses. These courses will be taught the first summer of the program, generally during the month of July. The remaining coursework is online. The sessions are held at a site in Massachusetts and housing is available at a reasonable rate (Housing information will be provided by the program upon request).
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Master of Public Administration in Global Comparative Public Administration
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  Globalization and the increasing complexities of today’s interconnected world challenge the traditional functions and boundaries of government. There is a growing call to rethink the way public administration education is provided to appropriately train future generations of public administrators, analysts, and scholars.
  
  UMass Boston's Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Global Comparative Public Administration (GCPA) educates a new generation of global public administrators. The two-year, 39 credit online-optional program prepares graduates for public service careers and leadership positions in state, national, and international governments and NGOs. This master’s degree has an applied, practitioner orientation consistent with professional public administration programs.
  
  Students will develop:
  - A holistic understanding of public administration theories
  - Public sector ethics and
  - Acquire skills necessary for effective public administration in the globalized world, where communities seek to stay involved and relevant in addressing issues related to social, economic and political inequality.
  This unique interdisciplinary program empowers students to:
  - Learn the complex, interdependent network among nation-states and supranational organizations.
  - Develop new and alternative strategies for improving public institutions worldwide.
  - Work to resolve global inequity
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states. Please contact your state's Board of Education for details. Click here for information on distance education authorization in other states.
- Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
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  UMass Online's Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling prepares its graduates to be professional practitioners in a variety of community settings and institutions: hospitals, schools, rehabilitation agencies, career planning centers, employee assistance programs, clinics, residential treatment facilities, and other mental health agencies. The program operates on a cohort model whereby all participants complete the same program of study over a two-year period. Clinical courses are taught during the first summer and all participants must be present on campus for the months of July and August. (Housing information will be provided by the program upon request). The remaining courses are delivered in a web-based on-line format following a semester calendar. Participants must follow the program of study exactly.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
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  The Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling program prepares its graduates to be professional practitioners in a variety of community settings and institutions: hospitals, schools, rehabilitation agencies, career planning centers, employee assistance programs, clinics, residential treatment facilities, and other mental health agencies. The program operates on a cohort model whereby all participants complete the same program of study over a two-year period.
Doctorate
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Boston)
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  The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a 39-credit doctoral program at UMass Boston's College of Nursing and Health Sciences, open to all applicants holding a Master's degree in Nursing with preparation as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, as well as those holding an MS in Nursing and certified as a nurse midwife or nurse anesthetist.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ALASKA, ARKANSAS, COLORADO, LOUISIANA, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, NEW YORK, NORTH CAROLINA, OREGON, VIRGINIA (WITH SOME EXCEPTION), AND WASHINGTON: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia (with some exception), and Washington due to regulations in those states.
Certificate
- Certificate in Accounting
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  The UMass Dartmouth's undergraduate Certificate in Accounting is a one-year (30-credit) certificate program for students who have already earned bachelor's degrees in other fields.
  If you have a business degree:
  - The accounting certificate program provides an opportunity to acquire the credentials for a career in accounting through advanced courses in the discipline.
  - Once you complete this track, you will qualify to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in Massachusetts as well as in many other states. You can use the 30 credits in the accounting certificate program—in conjunction with 120 credits awarded in the standard undergraduate degree program—to satisfy the 150-hour credit CPA requirement.
  - The accounting certificate program also prepares you to take the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.
  If you have a non-business degree:
  - The accounting certificate program provides an intensive introduction to the accounting discipline.
  - If your professional goals include management responsibilities, you will find the accounting certificate particularly helpful for career development. Engineers as well as professionals in the healthcare and legal fields have chosen the accounting certificate as a way to enhance their managerial expertise.
  - If your goal is to sit for the CPA, you can complete this certificate and then take several additional business courses to meet the CPA requirements.
- Graduate Certificate - Behavioral Intervention in Autism
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  UMass Online's Behavioral Intervention in Autism Certificate is a four course certificate is designed to provide professionals in psychology, education, child care, and human services with an understanding of autism and related developmental disorders. It introduces behavioral methods and details how such methods can be used and evaluated. The certificate was developed in partnership with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, a pioneer for over three decades in research, education, and service for people with developmental disabilities and their families, the University of Massachusetts Medical School who formed a partnership with the Shriver Center in 2001, and UMass Lowell, to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth in an effort to reduce the impact of disease and disability, address inequalities in health and human service systems, and educate and develop compassionate healthcare and human service professionals. All courses BACB approved.
- Graduate Certificate - Business Analytics (Boston)
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  The Graduate Certificate Program in Business Analytics is designed to facilitate integrating business analytics into enterprise business processes. Business Analytics is a crucial tool to guide business operations towards achieving strategic objectives in any industry, from healthcare to finance and retail.
  Understanding and learning Business Analytics (BA) is therefore becoming a necessity for all business professionals.The College of Management at UMass Boston is now offering an online certificate consisting of four courses focused on the transformative capabilities of business analytics and the technologies needed for implementation.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Graduate Certificate - Business Foundations
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  The Business Foundations Graduate Certificate offers students who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-business area of study the opportunity to meet the demands of new careers in management or to advance their professional goals. This program is compatible with our MBA degree requirements, enabling certificate recipients to transition into the MBA program. Certificate recipients who wish to apply for admission to the MBA program must follow the application requirements. The Business Foundations Certificate is a great option for students who want to continue their education at the graduate level and explore the world of business, and is intended for fully-employed individuals interested in career advancement, professional development, or a career change.
  The purpose of the Business Foundations Graduate Certificate is to develop skills that enable individuals to operate more effectively in business organizations. The program's graduates will:
  - Develop an understanding of statistics and analytical techniques
  - Examine the environmental impacts of business operations
  - Gain knowledge of basic accounting and finance concepts and practices
  - Develop an understanding of legal and regulatory systems.
  ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, KANSAS, MARYLAND, and MINNESOTA RESIDENTS:UMass Dartmouth does not presently consider applications for online degree or certificate programs from applicants whose permanent residence is in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland or Minnesota because of the regulations resulting from legislation in these states. For details about regulations in your state that may affect your enrollment in an online program offered by another state, you may wish to consult your state's Department of Education and/or learn about efforts of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements at http://nc-sara.org/. If you are a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, UMass Dartmouth welcomes your application to a face-to-face program only.
- Graduate Certificate - Clinical Nurse Specialist Post Master's
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  The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program at the University of Massachusetts is designed to assist RNs who have an MS degree in nursing with specialty concentration as a clinical nurse specialist to gain the knowledge and clinical experience that will prepare them to sit for a national certification examinations offered by American Nurses Credentialing Center or the Acute Care/Critical Care (CCNS) by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). This 12 credit post master's course can be completed entirely online.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ALASKA, ARKANSAS, COLORADO, LOUISIANA, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, NEW YORK, NORTH CAROLINA, OREGON, VIRGINIA (WITH SOME EXCEPTION), AND WASHINGTON: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia (with some exception), and Washington due to regulations in those states.
- Graduate Certificate - Computer Science
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  The UMass Dartmouth Computer Science Graduate Certificate will provide students with advanced knowledge of selected areas of modern computing including but not limited to intelligent information systems, parallel and distributed computing systems, computer networks, and software engineering.
  
  Successful completion of this certificate program waives the GRE requirement for applicants to the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program. Students accepted into the UMass Dartmouth MSCS program will receive credit for each certificate class with a grade of B or higher.
  
  Goals
  
  The Computer Science Certificate Program is designed to provide students with:
  - Knowledge of advanced computer systems and software development
  - Understanding of new advances in the discipline of computing such as neural and evolutionary computing, image processing and data science
  - A route into the MS program in Computer Science at UMass Dartmouth
  ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, KANSAS, MARYLAND, and MINNESOTA RESIDENTS: UMass Dartmouth does not presently consider applications for online degree or certificate programs from applicants whose permanent residence is in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland or Minnesota because of the regulations resulting from legislation in these states. For details about regulations in your state that may affect your enrollment in an online program offered by another state, you may wish to consult your state's Department of Education and/or learn about efforts of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements at http://nc-sara.org/. If you are a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, UMass Dartmouth welcomes your application to a face-to-face program only.
- Graduate Certificate - Critical and Creative Thinking
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  This 15 credit graduate certificate in Creative Thinking trains people to tackle challenging real - life problems, generate new ideas, and take them through to realization in their various educational, professional, artistic, and social settings. A variety of approaches are introduced to invention, dialogue, listening, and teamwork that promote creativity. Certificate students learn to confront ambiguous and complex problems, reflect deeply and bring insights to the surface, transform the giving of feedback into a mutual learning experience, build relationships of trust and enthusiastic acceptance of diverse perspectives, articulate a practical vision, and collaborate in bringing it to fruition.
- Graduate Certificate - Educational Policy
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  The Graduate Certificate in Educational Policy is designed to expose students to present-day and emergent developments in educational policy. To fulfill the certificate requirement, students are required to successfully complete four online courses, two of which are required and two of which are from a set of three elective courses. These courses have been designed to provide students with the opportunity to undertake a graduate level exploration of major contemporary educational policy issues, while at the same time firmly grounding their understanding of these topics both in an historical context and with sensitivity to the critical role of educational institutions in the development of a more democratic society.
  
  The curriculum has been designed to prepare students for a professional management or analytical role within a local or state education agency and/or to continue their study at the graduate level.
  
  The Educational Policy Certificate program will provide students with:
  - Critical transformative knowledge to examine educational policy within a global socio-economic context.
  - Conceptual framework to critically grasp policy analyses and research with a transformative purpose.
  - Critical understanding of current debates in education policy and policy answers to address educational problems.
  - Theoretical framework of the historical, political, social, and economic context of education in the United States.
  This Certificate can be completed in one year, and all the credits can also be applied toward the Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree from UMass Dartmouth, also online.
  ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, KANSAS, MARYLAND, and MINNESOTA RESIDENTS:UMass Dartmouth does not presently consider applications for online degree or certificate programs from applicants whose permanent residence is in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland or Minnesota because of the regulations resulting from legislation in these states. For details about regulations in your state that may affect your enrollment in an online program offered by another state, you may wish to consult your state's Department of Education and/or learn about efforts of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements at http://nc-sara.org/. If you are a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, UMass Dartmouth welcomes your application to a face-to-face program only.
- Graduate Certificate - Environmental Policy
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  The Environmental Policy Certificate offers an excellent opportunity to achieve advanced knowledge and professional certification in the formulation and implementation of policies that achieve sustainable operations. It is offered by the Department of Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The Certificate in Environmental Policy introduces students to environmental issues of local, state, regional, national, and global concern. The goals of the program are to provide an understanding of the major ecological issues, to develop students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills with an emphasis on policy analysis, and to foster the development and implementation of environmentally sound policies and practices.
  
  Successful completion of the certificate should enhance a student's current career or aid in the development of new job skills. And successful completion of the Certificate is a substantial positive consideration for students who subsequently apply to the full Master's in Public Policy program, and courses completed with an average GPA of 3.0 or better in the Certificate will count toward the Public Policy Master's degree.
  ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, KANSAS, MARYLAND, and MINNESOTA RESIDENTS:UMass Dartmouth does not presently consider applications for online degree or certificate programs from applicants whose permanent residence is in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland or Minnesota because of the regulations resulting from legislation in these states. For details about regulations in your state that may affect your enrollment in an online program offered by another state, you may wish to consult your state's Department of Education and/or learn about efforts of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements at http://nc-sara.org/. If you are a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, UMass Dartmouth welcomes your application to a face-to-face program only.
- Graduate Certificate - Game-Based Teaching with Technology
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  While this five-course online graduate certificate is geared towards Pre-K-12 teachers who want an additional Massachusetts license in instructional technology, anyone who works in a learning setting and wants to expand their pedagogy by converting their curriculum into a curricular game and meets the program requirements is welcome in the program.
  Licensure
  The six coverage areas required by DESE for an additional license in instructional technology are embedded into the coursework. Students who already have an initial license in Massachusetts in another subject area can apply directly to DESE for an additional license in instructional technology after earning the certificate. Because instructional technology is a license for all grade levels, if a student did not take a course that covers K-12 development previously, an additional class,
  EDC G 644 Dvlp Stgs:Chld-Adlsc, can be taken to satisfy that requirement for the additional license.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states. Please contact your state's Board of Education for details. Click here (http://olstateauthorization.wikispaces.umb.edu/) for information on distance education authorization in other states.
- Graduate Certificate - Gerontology - Management of Aging Services
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  UMass Online's Gerontology Graduate Certificate with a focus in management of aging services is targeted to individuals in the aging network who are looking to upgrade their skills or advance in new directions within the field or for those looking to enter the field. The certificate may be earned by taking 15 hours of approved course work, including three required courses and two elective courses.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Graduate Certificate - Health Informatics
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  The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is a blended format certificate program intended for students with a background in health who wish to be prepared to apply current information technology to the management of health care services and information.
  
  Courses in this blended program feature a combination of face-to-face and online classes, maximizing the students' convenience, while still allowing them the opportunity to interact with their faculty and fellow students in person.
  RESIDENTS OF Arkansas, Kansas and Minnesota: The University of Massachusetts Lowell is not presently accepting applications or registrations for online courses, degrees or certificate programs from residents of Arkansas, Kansas or Minnesota. Due to recent legislative changes the University of Massachusetts Lowell is not seeking state authorization to offer online programs in those states. State and federal laws require colleges and universities to receive state authorization to offer online programs in states other than their own. Current UML students that move their residence to one of these states should contact Catherine_Hamilton@uml.edu in Online and Continuing Education to determine their eligibility to continue their program of study.
- Graduate Certificate - Healthcare Informatics
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  The Graduate Certificate Program in Healthcare Informatics is a 12 credit program designed to facilitate the delivery of modern health care systems by focusing on concepts and tools that aid decision making in healthcare. The College of Management at UMass Boston is offering a unique and innovative online certificate consisting of four courses in the field of Healthcare Informatics.
  The explosive advances in information technology combined with the current shifts in health care provision have created the need for skilled individuals who can develop, understand, manage and integrate medical information systems in organizations.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Graduate Certificate - Instructional Technology Design
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  The Graduate Program in Instructional Design also offers a certificate program in instructional technology design to meet the increasing challenges created by the high technology training needs of academic, corporate, and public educators. Through a combination of classroom and hands-on laboratory work, this certificate program provides participants with the opportunity to design and produce computer-mediated learning activities and interactive multimedia materials, and to make effective use of instructional technology in curriculum development. The program can be completed entirely online.
- Graduate Certificate - Instructional and Learning Design
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  UMass Boston's Graduate Certificate in Instructional and Learning Design focuses specifically on design, assessment and evaluation considerations of instruction. As well, this certificate addresses learning theory and other design elements required in training and education. The content of this certificate is applied across all education and training arenas that involve adult learners, including higher education institutes, corporate associations and healthcare industries. Target populations include educational professionals, training managers and specialists, and design mavens who hold a Bachelor’s, Master’s or terminal degree and are interested in a certification in Instructional Design.
  
  This 15-credit certificate program consists of five (5) courses, (4 core courses and 1 elective), and provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to be successful instructional design specialists across a variety of settings. The program can be completed entirely online and in one year.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Graduate Certificate - International Business
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  The Graduate Certificate in International Business is designed for professionals currently working in or aspiring to work in companies that compete globally. The IB Certificate is a great option for students who want to continue their education at the graduate level or for fully-employed individuals interested in career advancement, professional development, or a career change.
  The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in International Business is to develop skills that enable individuals to operate more effectively in global organizations.
  The program's graduates will:
  - Develop an understanding of cultural differences
  - Examine the environmental impacts of business operations
  - Gain knowledge of global marketing and finance
  - Develop an understanding of different legal and regulatory systems.
  ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, KANSAS, MARYLAND, and MINNESOTA RESIDENTS:UMass Dartmouth does not presently consider applications for online degree or certificate programs from applicants whose permanent residence is in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland or Minnesota because of the regulations resulting from legislation in these states. For details about regulations in your state that may affect your enrollment in an online program offered by another state, you may wish to consult your state's Department of Education and/or learn about efforts of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements at http://nc-sara.org/. If you are a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, UMass Dartmouth welcomes your application to a face-to-face program only.
- Graduate Certificate - Nurse Practitioner Post Master's
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- Graduate Certificate - Organizational Leadership
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  The Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership is designed for professionals currently working in or aspiring to work in managerial positions in business, nonprofit, or governmental organizations. The business skills needed in today's leadership roles include the ability to lead, motivate, and empower others; the skills to design and implement high-performing organizational structures; and the ability to manage change in today's dynamic and increasingly internationalized work environment.
  The Organizational Leadership Certificate is a great option for current undergraduate students who want to continue their education at the graduate level or for fully-employed individuals interested in career advancement or professional development.
  Those completing the Certificate program can expect to:
  - Develop an understanding of key components for leadership, motivation, and empowerment of others.
  - Apply strategies for effective management of change processes and initiatives.
  - Utilize principles of organizational design and structures that facilitate high-performance work system.
  - Develop an understanding of corporate social responsibility and its impact on organizational effectiveness.
  This Certificate can be completed in one year, and nine out of the twelve credits can also be applied toward an MBA degree from the Charlton College of Business at UMass Dartmouth.
  ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, KANSAS, MARYLAND, and MINNESOTA RESIDENTS: UMass Dartmouth does not presently consider applications for online degree or certificate programs from applicants whose permanent residence is in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland or Minnesota because of the regulations resulting from legislation in these states. For details about regulations in your state that may affect your enrollment in an online program offered by another state, you may wish to consult your state's Department of Education and/or learn about efforts of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements at http://nc-sara.org/. If you are a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, UMass Dartmouth welcomes your application to a face-to-face program only.
- Graduate Certificate - Orientation and Mobility
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  An Orientation and Mobility Graduate Certification option for those who want to work in a professional setting assisting individuals who are blind/visually impaired reach their goal of becoming safe, efficient, independent travelers.
  
  The University of Massachusetts Boston offers a Certification track for individuals who are interested in qualifying for certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist. For those individuals with existing qualifying academic credentials, a graduate certificate is an option offered by the UMass Boston Graduate College of Education and supported by the Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education (NERCVE) through the Institute for Community Inclusion. The program combines web-based course offerings with ""face to face"" curriculum features and locally based pre-practicum and practicum field experiences. Cooperatively established with federal, state, and private funding, the program is designed to both decrease students' on-campus commitment and increase field-based mentored activities within each of the six New England states. Based on continued funding, this program offers scholarship support for students who qualify.
  
  Curriculum content is approved by the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI). Students who complete the program of study qualify to sit for the international professional examination and resulting certification provided by the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). Graduates of the program can expect to find employment opportunities in various settings, including state and federal agencies, and public and private schools. Individuals who would like to pursue ""certification only"" in Orientation and Mobility must have a minimum of a bachelor degree and complete a total of 28 credits. Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments may be eligible to complete the program by taking 19 to 25 credits.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Graduate Certificate - Public Management
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  The Graduate Online Certificate in Public Management exposes students to the essential principles of public management within the context of public policy. Students learn about the foundation of policy development and public management. From this foundation students choose from a variety of electives that focus on areas which include state and local public finance, regional economic development, program evaluation and other aspects critical to public management.
- Graduate Certificate - Science in a Changing World
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  The Graduate Certificate in Science in a Changing World at the University of Massachusetts is designed to prepare students to focus on science context of social change or individual intellectual development. This 15 credit course focuses on learning about Science and its social context and becoming familiar with practices and philosophies of science, education and social change. Students who graduate will be prepared to move across the persistent divide between sciences and humanities. This program can be completed entirely online.
- Graduate Certificate - Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
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  The graduate certificate in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy is an excellent option for those who want to work in a professional setting assisting adult populations who are visually impaired. The curriculum is aimed to integrate compensatory skills and assistive technology enabling them to live safe, productive, and independent lives. Individuals who would like to pursue certification only in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and complete a total of 25 credits. Apply all credits earned for the graduate certificate towards a M.Ed. program in Special Education, specialization in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy also offered online through UMassOnline. Specific areas of instruction taught by Vision Rehabilitation Therapists include: Communication Systems (Braille, handwriting, recording skills, use of electronic reading systems, use of assistive technology and computer access technology, etc.). Personal Management (grooming, hygiene, clothing organization, medical measurement, socialization skills, etc.) Home Management (organization and labeling, repair and home maintenance, budgeting and record keeping, etc.) Activities of Daily Living (cooking, cleaning, shopping, safety, money organization and management, etc.) Leisure and Recreation (hobbies, woodworking, crafts, sports, etc.) Psychosocial Aspects of Blindness and Vision Loss Medical Management (assessment and instruction and training of adaptive medical equipment) Basic Orientation and Mobility Skills (sighted guide, safety techniques, etc.) Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work with a number of special populations among persons who are blind or visually impaired including persons who are deaf-blind, college students, persons over 55 years old, children in transition to adult services, persons who are multiply disabled, and employed persons requiring "on the job training."
- Undergraduate Certificate - Gerontology
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  The Frank J. Manning Certificate in Gerontology provides students with an understanding of the aging network and aging process through direct service, research, field placements and legislative advocacy for the elderly. It is designed for individuals currently working in or new to the field of Gerontology. The courses in the Manning Certificate are fully integrated with the core curriculum of the UMass Boston College of Public & Community's Service's undergraduate program in Gerontology. Both programs are designed to help those interested in the field of Gerontology augment their current knowledge and skills and to pursue a rewarding career built around issues of aging and public service. Some highlights include: Focus on direct care, research, social and public policy, and advocacy, the option of applying this 18-credit, four-course certificate program to the Bachelor's degree program in Gerontology and first - rate faculty.
  
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Undergraduate Certificate - Spanish-English Translation
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  The Certificate Program in Spanish/English Translation has been designed to meet the increasing local, national, and international demand for professionals, educators, and students interested in meeting the challenges of modern multicultural, multilingual societies.
  
  Participants will explore the history, principles, theory, and practice of oral and written translation. They will practice the techniques of legal, medical, technical, general, and literary translation and learn to use specialized dictionaries and other essential reference materials. They will also improve their knowledge of English and Spanish syntaxes, morphologies, and semantic systems.
  
  A Certificate in Translation is awarded upon successful completion of the program and demonstration of excellence by successfully completing a comprehensive examination given by a departmental panel.
  RESIDENTS OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, MARYLAND, AND MINNESOTA: The University of Massachusetts Boston is currently not accepting students for online study who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, due to regulations in those states.
- Undergraduate Certificate - Women's and Gender Studies
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  UMass Dartmouth's Women's and Gender Studies Undergraduate Certificate offers students the opportunity to develop a fuller understanding of the position of women in society. Courses draw upon such fields as economics, history, literature, political science, and sociology, as well as feminist thought and methodology.
  The Women's and Gender Studies Certificate fosters an active examination of the varying influences upon women's and men's lives such as race, class, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, and age. The program provides students with an opportunity to:
  - Think about the construction and influences of gender in contemporary society
  - Discover the historical factors that have shaped the current status of women from varying backgrounds and countries
  - Explore paths to achieve equality for all people
  The Goals of the Program are for students to:
  - Understand the historical, social, and political contexts of women's movements and feminist thought
  - Understand feminist theories and apply them in critiquing and transforming their world
  - Connect the women's movements and feminist theory to other social justice movements and theories
  WMS courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences teach students to:
  - Identify and evaluate the social construction of gender and the ways gender intersects with other forms of identity
  - Understand the gendering of our socioeconomic and political worlds and the individual and collective components of social change
  - Identify, compare, and evaluate culturally and historically specific ideas of gender, sex, and sexuality
  - Apply a critical feminist perspective to the study of literature and the arts
  ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, KANSAS, MARYLAND, and MINNESOTA RESIDENTS:UMass Dartmouth does not presently consider applications for online degree or certificate programs from applicants whose permanent residence is in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland or Minnesota because of the regulations resulting from legislation in these states. For details about regulations in your state that may affect your enrollment in an online program offered by another state, you may wish to consult your state's Department of Education and/or learn about efforts of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements at http://nc-sara.org/. If you are a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, or Minnesota, UMass Dartmouth welcomes your application to a face-to-face program only.

General Info

Facts & Figures

Institutional Accrediting Agency:
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
Total Online Enrollment:
0-999
Calendar Type:
Quarter Schedule (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)
Delivery Format:
Online.
Carnegie Classification:
Doctoral/Research University—Intensive
Technical Requirements:
You must have: access to a personal computer (Mac or PC), basic computer skills, Internet connection, e-mail program and account, at least a 56 kbps modem, Java-capable browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari), Shockwave plugin (to use chat).
Geographic Restrictions:
None.
On-Campus Requirement:
None.
Loans Offered:
Availability of financial aid varies depending on course status and matriculation. Check with your advisor to determine your eligibility and application procedures.

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Doctorate

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Institutional Accrediting Agency:

Total Online Enrollment:

Calendar Type:

Delivery Format:

Carnegie Classification:

Technical Requirements:

Geographic Restrictions:

On-Campus Requirement:

Loans Offered: