About University Without Walls
UWW graduate Ron Lenker (B.A., 2000) completed a UWW concentration titled Spatial Design & Construction Management. Since graduating, he has taught CAD/CAM classes at the college level, designed and built his own house in Vermont, worked for architectural firms, had his designs published in a local magazine, and continues to do both volunteer and freelance design and CAD consulting work. Of his UWW experience, Ron says, "For older students who run into roadblocks indicating that they CAN'T, with UWW they CAN. It is important to not let go of the dream. My life is so much richer beyond my wildest expectations due to the UWW faculty and staff, UWW, UMass Amherst, and a dream."
For over 36 years the UMass Amherst University Without Walls (UWW) has offered adult learners the opportunity to earn their first ever bachelors degree from UMass UWW that builds on credit granted for prior coursework and experience.
In the fall of 1971, the first group of thirty UMass Amherst UWW students entered an individualized degree program specifically designed for non-traditional students—adults with families, jobs, and community commitments. Today there are over 510 UWW students attending UMass Amherst each semester.
UWW recognizes that the deepest learning is that drawn from an integration of direct experience with theoretical understanding and a broad knowledge base gained from college courses. Adults move around, shift careers, take on new commitments, and otherwise live rich and varied lives. The result is often an equally varied and incomplete higher education background. UWW offers adult learners the opportunity to combine new course work from UMass Amherst with college-level learning gained from a variety of sources, such as:
- previous college-level courses transferred in from other institutions
- previous courses taken at the UMass Amherst
- learning gained from life experiences, the workplace, community activities, and other contexts
- structured training, certificate, workshop, non-credit classes or programs
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests
To support those enrolled in this unique and valuable program, UMass Amherst UWW provides specialized services for the adult student: flexibility in scheduling, courses and programs that match their interests and acknowledge their experience, opportunities to accelerate the degree process, consistent and available advising support, and innovative and quality course delivery done live, online or blended.
For more information, contact:
University Without Walls - UMass Amherst
100 Venture Way, Suite 200
Hadley, MA 01035-9450
phone: 413.545.1378
fax: 413.545.4258
uww@uww.umass.edu
