Other Admission Policies and Programs

Readmission

A student or applicant who falls into one of these categories must submit a new application:

1. An applicant who has previously been admitted to the university but did not enroll on the entrance date stated in the acceptance letter;
2. A graduate student at this university who was accepted for one degree program and wishes to apply for another program or degree; and
3. A degree candidate who has not continuously enrolled in courses or paid the Program Fee (see Continuous Enrollment), must be readmitted and pay all associated fees.

New England Regional Student Program

The New England Regional Student Program (RSP), a program administered by the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), was established in 1957. The RSP enables New England residents to attend the University of Massachusetts and pay reduced fees when they enroll in an approved program that is not offered by the public colleges and universities in their home-state. Not all degree programs at UMass Amherst are eligible for the reduced tuition rate. To find a program, and information on fee reductions, review the RSP Graduate Catalogue online at www.nebhe.org.

Non-degree graduate students are not eligible for the reduced rate under the RSP.

Special Admissions

The special admission procedures have been designed for the rare applicant who lacks an undergraduate degree but who considers themself as having the appropriate qualifications for applying to a graduate program of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. These would be very special circumstances that are unlikely to appear repeatedly in applicants to any graduate program of the university; therefore, standard criteria cannot be established and each case has to be considered on its merit. This procedure is not intended as substitution for any current university program that addresses degree equivalencies from other institutions, or that evaluates prior life experiences which could lead to an undergraduate degree.

Admission of Faculty and Staff Members to Graduate Study

Members of the university faculty who wish to retrain or redirect their professional interests may, under special circumstances, earn a graduate degree from the university. The Dean of the Graduate School may permit eligible faculty to become degree candidates subsequent to a favorable recommendation from both the appropriate academic dean and department head, assurance that no conflict of interest will occur, and that the university's best interests will be served. The degree may not be earned in the department in which the candidate is a faculty member. However, faculty members of any rank may enroll as non-degree students in any university courses.

University employees who enroll in courses or degree programs may be eligible for tuition benefits - see Human Resources for details.

New England Land-Grant Universities Student Exchange Program

In order to provide undergraduate and graduate students at the New England Land-Grant Universities with expanded access to unique programs and faculty expertise, the institutions have agreed to encourage short-term student exchanges. Students with special academic interests may take advantage of the talent and resources available at the state universities of the region, without becoming a degree candidate at another institution. Contact the Graduate Student Service Center for more information.

Out of State Students Enrolling in Online Programs and Classes

UMass Amherst accepts students from all 50 states into online programs and classes. Some restrictions may apply to programs related to professional licensures (e.g., nursing). For details, check the program websites.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA): The University of Massachusetts Amherst operates distance education classes and programs for out-of-state students under the terms and provisions of SARA. Please see the SARA website for a list of participating states and territories.

California Students: The state of California allows all public institutions to offer distance education to its residents.

Nursing Programs Only: The UMass Amherst College of Nursing is authorized to accept applications or enrollments for online degree or certificate programs from residents of most states. There are some restrictions, please check with the College of Nursing for the most recent updates.

Additional Information for Distance Education students in SARA member states outside Massachusetts:

In accordance with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), if a person bringing a complaint is not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional process for handling complaints, the complaint (except for complaints about grades or student conduct violations) may be appealed, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education which is the SARA portal for Massachusetts SARA member institutions. Complaint forms are available at www.mass.edu. The resolution of the complaint by the institution’s home state SARA portal entity, through its SARA complaint resolution process, will be final.