University of Massachusetts Amherst
2016/2017 Guide to Undergraduate Programs

About This Guide

This is the Guide to Undergraduate Programs of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. All students are responsible for observing the rules and regulations published herein, as well as those in other official publications regarding policies and requirements which may be issued from time to time. Students are also expected to have read other general information documents. The University reserves, for itself and its departments, the right to change its announcements or regulations whenever such action is deemed appropriate or necessary.

The information in this publication is provided solely as a convenience; no contractual liability is assumed. Because courses listed were secured from academic departments prior to editing and publishing deadlines, students should refer to SPIRE for the official schedule of courses for any given semester. The schedule of courses provides course identification by section, and lists times and places of meeting; this Guide does not attempt to serve these functions. Unless otherwise indicated, “the university” in this Guide refers to the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts and “the University” to the five-campus system.

This Guide was prepared by the Office of the Provost for the use of potential applicants, undergraduate students, and university faculty and departments. The Graduate School Bulletin describing graduate programs and courses is published separately.

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Association accredits schools and colleges in the six New England states. Accreditation by one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States, of which NEASC is one, indicates that the school or college has been carefully evaluated and found to meet or exceed standards agreed upon by qualified educators, and is eligible to receive federal financial aid and other funding.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of Massachusetts Amherst prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orienta­tion, gender identity and expression, genetic information and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment.  Further­more, University policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination. 

Affirmative action in employment is required for women; racial and ethnic minorities; disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, Armed Forces service medal veterans, and Vietnam-era veterans; and individuals with disabilities in order to address under-representation in the workforce.

Inquiries concerning applicable laws, regulations, and policies should be addressed to the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Office, 243 Lederle Lowrise Building, main number and TTY (413) 545-3464; Email address: eod@admin.umass.edu.

The Executive Director for Equal Opportunity and Diversity, or designee, is also the Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator for the campus.  This person will provide informa­tion about the University's obligations with respect to the provisions of nondiscrimination statutes including information about the requirement to provide program accessibility for persons with disabilities.

The University is committed to compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title I and Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Executive Order 11246 (1965), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its regulations found at 34 C.F.R. part 106, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Vietnam-era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapters 151B, 151C, and Chapter 149, all as amended. Inquiries regarding federal laws may also be directed to: Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 33 Arch Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02110-1491; tel. (617) 289-0111; TTY: (877) 521-2172 and to U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, John F. Kennedy Federal Building, 475 Government Center, Boston, MA 02203; tel. (617) 565-3200 or 1-800-669-4000; TTY: (617) 565-3204 or 1-800-669-6820. Inquiries regarding state laws may be directed to: Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, 436 Dwight Street, Suite 220, Springfield, MA 01103; tel. (413) 739-2145; TTY: (617) 994-9196.