Online Student Resources

Meet your advisor and plan your program

As a first step, make sure to set up a meeting with your advisor. They can offer advice on courses to take and help direct you through the steps necessary to get started and set your goals for your program. 

• Each online program has its own academic requirements, be sure to check the program page and program handbook of your specific program for details.
• Set up a time to meet with your advisor to discuss your goals and how the two of you will work together. Be sure you both have shared expectations related to communications, responsibilities, and other practical matters. Your primary advisor will be listed on your student home page in SPIRE.
• Consider what courses you plan to take, check requirements, review how often certain classes are offered, and check with your program for special requirements such as practicums.

Set up accounts and get oriented

If this is your first time in an online program or class, here are useful steps to take to ensure that you are well prepared to get the most out of your experience.

• Set up your UMass IT accounts. Your IT NetID is how you access your UMass email, SPIRE, Library resources, and other online services. The IT Guide for Students provides an overview of the services provided to students by the UMass Amherst Information Technology office.
• Become familiar with SPIRE. This is the home base for managing your student information. This is where you will register for courses, view grades, pay bills, and perform other official tasks.
• Set up your UMass Email account (GMail). Official communications will always be sent to your UMass email address, so remember to check it regularly if you typically use a personal account.
• Get on the college email lists to receive updates about assistantships, courses, calls for conference proposals, and other news related to your degree program. Students should be automatically added to college-wide mailing lists when they are admitted. Send an email to education@umass.edu if you have not been receiving updates. Contact your program's coordinator or department administrator about program-specific mailing lists.
• Get your Distance Learning ID Card. For students who are not on campus, the distance learning ID card will assist in proving your active student status. This card is not a photo ID, so will typically need to be used in conjunction with some form of official picture identification. If you are ever on the UMass Amherst campus, you may wish to also get a UCard, which is an official picture ID which also functions as a bus pass, recreational center access card, dining services meal card, door access card, library card, and more. 

Additional documentation: 

• Preparing for Your Online Course (UWW)
• Setting up Accounts (UWW)
• Learning Online - Succeeding in Your Online Class (UWW)
• Student Orientation and Resources  (UWW) - includes a guide to Blackboard.

Finding Classes

The best option is to work with your advisor to find the best courses that fit your goals. Your program page and handbook contain lists of recommended and required classes.

Browse what courses are available on the College of Education Courses page and the UWW Explore Classes page. 

Registering for Classes 

Register for classes using SPIRE.  More information about the process can be found on IT's Enroll in Classes Using SPIRE page and UWW’s Class Enrollment page. Contact the UWW Registration Office at regoff@uww.umass.edu or 413-545-3653 with questions.

Learning Management System (LMS) 

Online courses at the College of Education are largely taught on the Blackboard learning management system (LMS). Some classes may be based in Moodle or other platforms, depending on the objectives of the class. 

Blackboard support available from UWW: 

• 24/7 Support Center (live chat and knowledge base of answers to FAQs)
• Blackboard Learn Documentation

Email 

Email is the primary medium for official communications from the university, college, and program. Email is also the best way to communicate with your instructors outside the LMS. Students are given an official university email account on GMail. Be sure to check this account regularly and use it to send class and program-related messages. 

Email at UMass Amherst provides the log in and documentation (UMass AMherst IT)

Software 

Registered students have access to discounted or free software to help with their studies; including tools for work (Microsoft), design (Adobe), data analysis, programming, and security. 

Additional IT Systems and Services 

For general assistance and guidance on tools for online learning see the IT Guide for Students or the UWW IT Guide for an overview of services and links to documentation. 

Want to contact a real person? Contact the UMass Amherst IT Help Center

• Email (it@umass.edu) or Chat
  • 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. eastern Monday - Friday
  • 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. eastern Saturday and Sunday
• Phone - 413-545-9400
  • 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. eastern Monday - Friday

Security

If you have security concerns or wish to report a it-related security incident: www.umass.edu/it/security or email itprotect@umass.edu

The UMass Amherst Libraries offer research assistance, as well as access to digital books, online journals, online media, and open education resources. Online students get full access to online library resources through their NetIDs.

The designated library subject specialist for education, Steve McGinty (smcginty@library.umass.edu ) is available to give advice on research. Steve also maintains a curated list of the publications and databases that are particularly useful to scholars studying education on this page: Education - Library Guide 

The library offers many resources to help with your research:

• Research Process
• Literature Review
• Evaluating Resources

The Writing Center in the library provides resources to help with writing and offers online synchronous appointments to meet with a writing tutor. 

Access to Library Resources from Off-Campus
Note: URLs that start with “https://silk.library.umass.edu” will provide a log in to access the resource. 

Open Access Resources
The library supports the use of open educational resources in classes. Open access materials can be shared outside of class and students can continue to access these resources well after their enrollment ends. We recommend that online instructors choose open access materials whenever possible. Scholarworks is the local UMass Amherst repository of open access resources. 

The Office of the Bursar handles all academic financial transactions. The Bursar’s web site includes information about payment methods, deadlines, and scholarships. 

• View and Pay Bills
• International Payments (Flywire)
• Third Party Payments (veterans, scholarships, sponsors)

The Financial Aid Office has information about eligibility, getting help with paying for your education, and specific information for UWW online students. 

The College of Education also offers Scholarships and a Student Emergency Fund that can help cover unexpected costs related to your education. 

Being a non-degree student lets you test the waters of a program, or take a few courses in a topic that interests you. 

• How to Enroll as a Non-Degree Student (see How To Enroll page)   
• Financial Aid for Non-Degree Students

“Course credits earned as a non-degree graduate student do not accumulate toward a graduate degree at this university. However, if you are later admitted to a graduate degree program, a maximum of six (6) graduate credits earned as a non-degree student may be applied to that program. This requires a favorable recommendation by the appropriate Graduate Program Director and approval by the Dean of the Graduate School.” - Graduate School web site