UMass Boston

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• A minimum, cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work, though an exception may be made based on the holistic strength of the application
• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of recognized standing or an international equivalent at the time of enrollment
• Official transcripts for all institutions where you have earned more than 6 credits: Applicants who completed the majority of their undergraduate coursework outside of the United States are typically required to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English proficiency test score
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of Purpose
• Two (2) letters of recommendation

Current UMass Boston undergraduates who wish to apply for the accelerated master's program (AMP) should use the AMP application. Learn more about the AMP program.

Deadlines: June 15 for fall, December 1 for spring

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu. Please refer to Graduate Student Financial Aid for more information on financial aid.

Core Required Courses (15 Credits)

• GISD 601 - Current and Historical Perspectives on Global Inclusion and Social Development 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 602 - GISD 602 Research in Diverse Settings: Challenging Epistemological Hegemony 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 605 - International Responses to Social Inclusion 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 803 - Qualitative Methods: Research Praxis for Global Justice 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 804 - Capstone Seminar: Engaging Communities in Research and Practice 3 Credit(s)

Core Electives (6 Credits)

Complete two from below.

• GISD 608 - Ethics and Professionalism in Global Inclusion and Social Development 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 609 - Justice: A Global Transdisciplinary Framework for Culture and Innovation 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 610 - Strategies for Systemic Change 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 611 - Managing Change: Supporting Communities and Embracing Cultures 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 615 - State, Sovereignty and Governance for Inclusion and Social Development 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 616 - Population Needs and Global Practice 3 Credit(s)

Concentration Courses (15 Credits)

Complete five courses from one of the concentrations below.

• Critical Ethnic and Community Studies Concentration
• Disability Studies Concentration
• Gerontology Concentration
• Human Rights Concentration
• Nonprofit Management Concentration
• Individualized Plan of Study Concentration

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

 In this program, students will:

• Develop a deep understanding of social inequalities, power dynamics, and systems of oppression, enabling you to critically analyze and challenge structural barriers that hinder social inclusion and development
• Acquire advanced knowledge in the principles and practices of social development, intercultural communication, community engagement, and program evaluation, equipping you with the tools to design, implement, and assess inclusive social interventions
• Cultivate intercultural competence, ethical awareness, and collaboration skills, empowering you to work effectively with diverse populations, engage in cross-cultural dialogue, and promote sustainable and equitable social change

Complete 36 credits from twelve courses, including five required core courses, two core electives, and five concentration courses.

Concentration: Students must choose a concentration from disability studies; gerontology; human rights; non-profit management; critical ethnic and community studies; or an individual plan of study.
Capstone: Completion of a master’s project consisting of a 7,000 to 8,000 word writing project (research paper, policy analysis project, program development project, grant application, or self-directed paper) and a public oral or poster presentation of the writing project. Typically, the project is completed within the student’s capstone seminar course.

Minimum grade: No course with a grade below B may be applied toward the core courses for the program.
GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required from all courses applied toward the program.
Residency: No more than six credits of graduate coursework from another institution may be applied toward the program. Transfer courses must have a grade of B or higher and be approved by the graduate program director.
Statute of limitations: Five years.

Graduate Program Director Valerie Karr
valerie.karr@umb.edu
(617) 287-4336