About the College
Dedicated to civic engagement and social justice, the College of Public and Community Service at UMass Boston centers on the study of urban reality and positive social change.
CPCS offers four undergraduate degree programs and one graduate degree, as well as minors and certificates, that allow students to learn not only in traditional classroom settings, but also through community and service projects and experiences, while drawing on previous education and participating in independent study.
The college’s unique curriculum provides an outcome-oriented system of education through innovative courses and a commitment to supporting students as they become effective professionals who maintain a strong focus on the enhancement of their communities.
History of College of Public and Community Service
CPCS was founded in 1972 to extend the land grant mission of the university by focusing on public and community service in urban areas. The college represented a new model for undergraduate professional education built on the idea of building links between understanding and effective action, with ample opportunities for fieldwork and work experience. CPCS developed specific arrangements with anti-poverty organizations and government agencies for instructional and recruitment purposes.
As it continues to evolve, CPCS stays true to its vision of empowering people to make a difference in the world through positive social change and social justice activities in professional and community arenas. In its practice and in the educational opportunities it provides, the College of Public and Community Service endeavors to function as an inclusive, democratic and participatory learning community that promotes diversity, equality and social justice.
