University of Massachusetts Amherst

General Information about University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Massachusetts Amherst was formed in 1863 as an agricultural college. At that time, the college's curriculum included science, liberal arts, farming and technical courses. By 1947, the college had become University of Massachusetts Amherst and saw a boom of growth that came with the end of World War II.

Currently, the university has over 26,000 students enrolled in its nine colleges and schools. Over the years, the university has received top rankings in a number of categories. In the 2010 edition of U.S. News and World Report, the University of Massachusetts Amherst was ranked 51 in best graduate schools.

Admissions and Enrollment Information for University of Massachusetts Amherst

Prospective freshmen and transfer undergraduates should submit an application, transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. The university encourages letters of recommendation as well as proof of participation in extracurricular activities during high school. Graduate students must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Since each graduate program has different requirements for acceptance, it's important to check with the program of interest for specific requirements. All prospective graduate students should include a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation and GRE scores when they complete their application.

Colleges/Schools of University of Massachusetts Amherst

School of Education

The School of Education offers master's and doctoral degree programs, master's certificate programs and an undergraduate minor in education. In addition to degree and certificate programs, the School of Education, in conjunction with the Division of Continuing Education, offers a post-baccalaureate teacher licensure program for non-degree seeking individuals who wish to teach in the state of Massachusetts. The school also houses four research centers, including the Center for School Counseling Outcome Research and the Center for Educational Policy.

College of Engineering

The College of Engineering consists of four departments that offer six bachelor's, six master's and five doctoral degree programs, including chemical engineering, civil engineering and mechanical engineering. The college has introduced a new undergraduate concentration in biochemical engineering, which is intended for chemical engineering majors. In 2007, the College of Engineering in collaboration with the School of Management began offering dual graduate degree programs, such as the MBA/M.S. in Environmental Engineering.

College of Humanities and Fine Arts

The College of Humanities and Fine Arts is one of the largest colleges at University of Massachusetts Amherst. It offers 61 undergraduate majors and minors, 19 master's and nine doctoral degree programs. Students have the opportunity to engage in additional certificate or study programs within the college, including medieval studies or professional writing and technical communications.

Isenberg School of Management

The Isenberg School of Management consists of seven departments, including management, hospitality and tourism management, and finance and operations management. Students can pursue a Bachelor or Master of Science as well as undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate business administration degrees. The school offers six dual-degree programs, leading to a Master of Business Administration/Master of Science. Students wanting to expand communication skills can enroll in the school's business communication program and explore topics, such as leadership communication and writing for finance.

College of Natural Sciences

Consisting of 15 departments, the College of Natural Sciences includes mathematics, science, psychology and a handful of interdisciplinary programs. The college offers 26 bachelor's and 46 master's and doctoral degree programs. All 15 departments within the College of Natural Sciences are engaged in extensive research projects.

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including a dual graduate degree in nursing and public health. Undergraduate programs consist of traditional pre-licensure, second bachelor's and an online R.N. to bachelor's degree. The pre-licensure and second bachelor's degree programs prepare students to take the NCLEX-RN Professional Nursing Licensure exam.

School of Public Health and Health Sciences

Students can pursue bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees within the four departments of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences. In addition to on-campus programs, online graduate programs in public health practice and nutrition are available. The school also takes part in the Five Colleges initiative, which consists of local higher education institutions providing a range of educational opportunities. Students can also enroll in the culture, health and science certificate program and receive interdisciplinary education as a part of their degree program.

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences includes seven academic departments. The college houses numerous centers and institutions that offer degree programs, including labor studies, as well as social thought and political economy. In addition to degree programs, students can expand their education by choosing from the college's numerous certificate programs and minors.

Stockbridge School of Agriculture

The Stockbridge School of Agriculture offers six 2-year associate's degree programs, such as arboriculture and forestry, equine industries, and landscape contracting. Students enrolled in the Stockbridge School have the opportunity to engage in the larger university community as well as transfer credits to a 4-year program. The school has recently added the Green School extension, which provides certificate programs relating to the green industries and its professionals.

Commonwealth College

The Commonwealth College is the honor's college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The college encourages and expects students to engage in study that goes beyond the average degree program. Students have the opportunity to be involved in a number of research and educational programs, such as Oxford Summer Seminar.

Contact Information

• Address: 181 Presidents Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9313
• Phone Number: (413) 545-0111