Required Online Course for all New Students

Welcome to UMass Amherst! As part of the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s commitment to the well-being of our individual students and the larger UMass Amherst community, all incoming undergraduate students, including all transfer students, are required to complete AlcoholEdu regardless of age.

AlcoholEdu is an interactive, 2 part, online alcohol and other drug education program that will provide you with tools and information to choose behaviors to help successfully navigate the social pressures of the campus environment and achieve academic success.

Access to part 1 of the course begins on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Part 1 takes about 90 minutes and must be completed by Thursday, August 31, 2023. Students must receive at least a 70% on the post-test to be counted as completed. Access to the course will be through the New Student Orientation & Transitions Moodle class. Students who do not complete the course by August 31st will have a registration hold placed on their SPIRE accounts and will be unable to register for spring 2024 classes until this requirement is met.

If you have any questions, check out the FAQs or email the Center for Health Promotion at CHP@umass.edu. For technical assistance, click the “technical help” button in the module.

Now available as a resource for all students, faculty and staff

AlcoholEdu is an interactive online alcohol and other drug education program that is now available to the entire UMass community!

This course provides students with tools and information to assist them in choosing behaviors to help successfully navigate the social pressures of the campus environment and achieve academic success.

To view this engaging program:

• Click here
• Click the orange UMass Amherst button to login.

If you have questions, check out the FAQs or email the Center for Health Promotion at CHP@umass.edu.  For technical assistance, click the “technical help” button in the module.

For Parents and Caregivers

AlcoholEdu offers information, tips and tools for parents and caregivers.

www.everfi.com/higheredparents

Frequently Asked Questions

Purpose | Access | Length | Requirements | Registration Holds
Part 2 Access | Confidentiality | What if I Don't Drink or Use Drugs?
Questions or Technical Issues

Q: What is the purpose of AlcoholEdu?
A: AlcoholEdu is designed to assist students in making healthy decisions regarding alcohol and other drug use in college.  It includes information on college alcohol use statistics, alcohol’s effects on learning and memory, how to recognize and respond to an alcohol or other drug use emergency, UMass Amherst policies and expectations, and how to find alcohol and other drug-related services on campus. 

Q: How do I access the AlcoholEdu course?
A: Detailed information on how to access and complete the course will be emailed to all new students.  You will have access to the AlcoholEdu link through the New Student Orientation & Transitions Moodle class. You will need access to a computer, iPad or tablet with access to the internet and audio capabilities. Should you not have access to one and are unable to use a friend or family members and are unable to visit a local library, please email us at CHP@umass.edu and schedule a time to use one of our computers.

Q: How long will this take?
A: AlcoholEdu is a 2 part course. Part 1 will take about 90 minutes to complete. You do not need to complete the course in one sitting. You may take a break and come back to it. Part 2 will be available 30 days after you complete Part 1 and will take about 30 minutes to complete.

Q: Do I really have to do this? What if I already completed this or something similar at a different school?
A: All new incoming undergraduate students and transfer students, regardless of age, are required to complete AlcoholEdu.  If you do not complete Part 1 by August 31st, you will not be able to register for spring 2024 classes until you complete the course and pass the post-test with at least a 70%. If you already completed a similar program at another school, you will still need to complete this version of AlcoholEdu as this program contains resources and information specific to UMass Amherst.

Q: What do I do if I have a registration hold?
A: If you have a registration hold, please complete Part 1 of the AlcoholEdu course. Access the course through the link provided in the New Student Orientation & Transitions Moodle Class. Once you complete Part 1 and pass the post-test with a score of at least a 70%, please email CHP@umass.edu and request that your hold be removed.

Q: Part 2 is locked. What do I do?
A: Part 2 will be open for completion 30 days after you complete Part 1 . You will receive an email to remind you to complete Part 2.

Q: Will my answers be private?
A: The AlcoholEdu course will include surveys about your personal health behaviors to help personalize your experience and measure students’ alcohol and other drug-related attitudes and behaviors. All survey responses are confidential; UMass Amherst will only receive information about the student body as a whole and will never see individual student answers. However, if you prefer not to answer some questions on the anonymous survey, you can choose to leave them blank and that will not impact your completed status for the overall module.

Q: I don’t drink or use other drugs. Do I still need to take this course?
A: Yes, all new incoming students including transfer students, regardless of age or substance are required to complete this course. This course includes surveys to help provide personalized paths through the curriculum so if you don’t use substance use you will receive support and specific information tailored to your choices.  Students who choose not to use substances may still be impacted by the alcohol and other drug use of others in the college environment.  AlcoholEdu will provide these students with important information regarding coping with potential drinking behavior of their peers.

Q: What if I have questions?
A: Please contact the Center for Health Promotion at CHP@umass.edu for any questions about requirements or verification.

If you have a technical issue, use the “help” button to access AlcoholEdu directly, 24 hours a day.