UMass Boston

Apply for Admission

Please review the first-year and transfer apply pages for important information about application requirements, deadlines, and application status check.

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Financing Your Education

Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.

Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process

Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students

Introductory Philosophy Course (3 Credits):

• PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
  or
• PHIL 108 - Moral and Social Problems 3 Credit(s)

200-Level Philosophy Course (3 Credits):

• PHIL 216 - The History of Ethics 3 Credit(s)
  or
• PHIL 218 - Major Social and Political Thinkers 3 Credit(s)

Philosophy Area Electives (15 Credits):
Take five courses from three areas listed below. At least one course must be completed in each area.

History Area:

• PHIL 211 - Ancient Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 216 - The History of Ethics 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 218 - Major Social and Political Thinkers 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 297 - Asian Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 311 - Medieval Philosophy: Islamic, Jewish, Christian 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 351 - Plato 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 397 - Marxist Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 452 - Aristotle 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 455 - Hegel and German Idealism 3 Credit(s)
   

Theory Area:

• PHIL 290 - The Philosophy of Law 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 318 - Race and Racism 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 333 - Ethical Theory 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 380 - Social & Political Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 395 - International Ethics 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 450 - Rights 3 Credit(s)
   

Problems Area:

• PHIL 210 - The Philosophy of Education 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 215 - Philosophical Foundations of Public Policy 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 220 - Environmental Ethics 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 222 - Moral Issues in Medicine 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 225 - The Philosophy of Religion 3 Credit(s)
• PHIL 230 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 Credit(s)

Additional Electives (9 Credits):
Take three additional philosophy courses from the list below.

• PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
  or
• PHIL 108 - Moral and Social Problems 3 Credit(s)
  or
• PHIL 120 - Introduction to Logic 3 Credit(s)
   
• Any philosophy courses at the 200, 300, or 400-level except for PHIL 478 - Independent Study I and PHIL 479 - Independent Study II.

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

Upon completion of the BA program, students will:

• be able to construct or reconstruct a structured argument
• Have a familiarity with philosophical methods 
• Have acquired critical analysis skills
• have acquired clear and engaging written communication skills
• be able to accurately represent and interpret philosophical sources

Students who complete these majors or minors will be able to:

• Understand how to ask and answer philosophical questions
• Know how to apply a humanistic philosophical approach to issues of life that can arise from any discipline or across disciplines
• produce clear and convincing written and oral arguments
• understand the history of philosophy (the Standard Major and the ESP major emphasize this more stringently)

Early action deadline: November 1; Regular Decision Deadline: June 15

Financing Your Education

Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.

Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process 

Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students

For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu.

Creative Writing
The Creative Writing program is designed for students with interests in writing fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Through the course of study, the program connects you to a creative writing community in which you can foster your writing talents and skills.

Race, Ethnicity & Literature Minor
The Race, Ethnicity, and Literature (REL) minor gives you the opportunity to encounter the literary expressions of diverse communities, including your own. If you are interested in learning more about African American, Asian American, Native American, and Latinx literature, then this is the concentration/minor for you. In addition to learning about diverse literatures and cultures, REL courses also teach literature in diverse ways so that you can take courses on everything from Race in Shakespeare to Latinx literature.