Application Requirements
All applicants are encouraged to submit supporting credentials at the same time as their applications. The sending of documents under separate cover will delay the processing of an application.
The requirements listed here apply to all UMass Boston graduate programs. For information about additional or more restrictive requirements that may apply to individual programs, please refer to individual program descriptions, or to the application materials.
Please note: Individual programs may require interviews for applicants. For information on special and additional requirements for applicants from other countries, please refer to "International Applicants."
General Admission Requirements
- Submission of the graduate admissions application form. Note: each application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee ($40 for residents of Massachusetts, $60 for non-residents).
- An official transcript from each institution attended (graduate
and undergraduate), even if credits appear as transfer credit on another
transcript. The transcript(s) must demonstrate
- a minimum cumulative grade point average in undergraduate work of 2.75, and
- a bachelor's degree from a college or university of recognized
standing.*
Each transcript must be in the sending institution's original sealed envelope.
- Submission of test scores, if required by the program to which
the applicant is seeking admission.
Note: In accordance with provisions of the General Laws of Massachusetts,
Graduate Studies policy permits residents of Massachusetts who have
been diagnosed as developmentally disabled (including those with specific
language disabilities, such as dyslexia, but not including those whose
sole disability is blindness) to request a waiver of the requirement
to submit GRE, GMAT, or MAT scores. To qualify for a waiver, an applicant
must submit documentation validating his or her disability. A graduate
program may require an alternative mode of assessment (e.g., a writing
sample) in lieu of the standardized test score. For information, contact
the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Information about the tests and about the locations of test centers
is available from:
- * Educational Testing Service, Box 6000, Princeton, New Jersey, 08541-6000 for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) 609 771-7670 voice/TDD/text: 609-734-9362 www.gre.org
- * Educational Testing Service, Box 6103 Princeton, New Jersey, 08541-6103 for the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) 609 771-7243 voice/TDD/text: 609 734-9362 www.gmat.org
- * Psychological Corporation, Controlled Testing Center, 555 Academic Court,San Antonio, Texas, 78204 for theMiller Analogies Test (MAT)1 800 622-323
- *Applicants must have either a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited US college or university, or a degree which is in all respects equivalent.
The programs listed below require that applicants submit the appropriate test scores.
Biology: GRE
Biotechnology and Biomedical Science: GRE (general exam and one subject exam)
Business Administration: GMAT
Chemistry: GRE (required of applicants with degrees only from foreign universities)
Clinical Psychology: GRE (general exam and psychology subject exam)
Computer Science, PhD: GRE*
Computer Science, MS: GRE*
Counseling: GRE or MAT*
Dispute Resolution, MA: GRE or MAT*
Education (MEd) (Teacher Education): MTEL**
Educational Administration: MTEL**
Environmental Sciences: GRE
Environmental Sciences/ Environmental Biology: GRE
Gerontology: GRE
Historical Archaeology: GRE
Human Services: MAT*
Instructional Design: MAT*
Nursing: GRE
Nursing/Management: GMAT
Public Affairs: GRE or MAT
Public Policy: GRE
School Psychology: MTEL**and GRE or MAT
Applied Sociology: GRE or MAT
Special Education: MTEL**
-
The programs listed below recommend that applicants submit the appropriate test scores.
American Studies: GRE
Chemistry: GRE
Critical and Creative Thinking: (GRE or MAT)
Education (EdD) Education/Higher Education Administration: GRE or MAT
Education/Leadership In Urban Schools: GRE or MAT
Educational Administration: GRE or MAT
English: GRE
History: GRE
Applied Physics: GRE*Test score not required if applicant holds an advanced degree from a US university. Please note that some programs require the advanced degree to be in a specific field.
** Out-of-state applicant may submit GRE or MAT instead of MTEL.
- Three letters of recommendation from people who have worked closely with the applicant in an academic, professional, or community service setting. These letters should include specific information about the applicant's abilities and performance. Letters of recommendation should not be written by friends or family members of the applicant. If possible, at least one letter should be from a faculty member at an institution where the applicant has been enrolled who is familiar with the applicant's academic work. It is strongly suggested that the three letters of recommendation comment on differing aspects of the applicant's abilities and performance, and that they be current, directly addressing the applicant's present ability to do graduate work.
- Statement of interests and intent. Please submit, with your application,
a typed two-part essay. In the first part (up to 300 words), give
your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate study. In the second part
(at least 1,200 words), indicate your specific interests, and discuss
the kind of work you would like to do in your intended field.
Use plain U.S. letter-size paper and put your name and social security number on each page. Please type if possible. Be sure to enclose the essay with your application form, and submit both to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Please refer to individual program sections and to the application materials at the back of this publication for information about additional or more restrictive requirements.
- Acceptance by both the graduate admissions committee of the program for which application is made and the dean of Graduate Studies.
- Acknowledgment of acceptance by the applicant. Acknowledgment should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. An admission deposit of $250.00 is required to confirm your enrollment. The deposit is applied to your first semester tuition and fees, but it is not refundable if you fail to enroll. Failure to acknowledge acceptance and pay the $250.00 deposit by the required date may result in deactivation of the application.
Copies of Submitted Material
All materials submitted to the University of Massachusetts Boston become the property of the University. Because neither such materials nor photocopies of them can be returned to the applicant, all applicants -- and enrolled students--should be certain to keep copies of all forms, documents, and correspondence they submit to the University. If questions about any of this material should arise, students will find it useful to have copies for reference.
Former Boston State College Students
Boston State College was consolidated with the University of Massachusetts Boston in January 1982. All former Boston State College students who now seek admission to UMass Boston must follow the standard application procedure, and must complete the full course of study for advanced degrees at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Please note: Applicants must indicate on the application form the academic programs in which they were enrolled and their dates of attendance. The Office of Graduate Admissions will then obtain copies of Boston State College transcripts.