UMass Amherst campus at night

Explore Our Programs

Gain a critical understanding of the frameworks that guide business decisions at all levels, from Fortune 500 companies to small nonprofits. The Isenberg School of Management Accounting program develops highly-skilled professionals uniquely positioned to take on leadership roles in industry and academia.

 

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus, Online

Engage in deeply interdisciplinary study of the history, politics, culture, music, economics, and literature of people of African descent in the United States and across the wider African Diaspora. The W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies is one of the largest such departments in the country, bringing depth and breadth to this crucial academic field.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

Examine the welfare, breeding, nutrition, physiology, behavior, and other aspects of the care and research of domestic and laboratory animals. At UMass Amherst, students of animal science have the opportunity to study diverse areas of concentration within this complex field. Our leading-edge laboratories provide space for research into immunology, infectious diseases, and cancer biology. And with its rolling hills and acres of open farmland, western Massachusetts is ideal for the study of beef and dairy cattle and other domesticated animals. Students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels prepare for careers in the worlds of human and animal research, animal management, agriculture, and the veterinary sciences.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

Answer some of today’s most complex questions through leading-edge education and research in four anthropological subfields: archaeology, biological, cultural, and linguistic anthropology. The Department of Anthropology at UMass Amherst is one of the largest in New England, offering unparalleled access to experiential opportunities to study the diverse ways of being human.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

Study the art of the arborist in the arboriculture and community forest management program at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Established in 1893, this program is the oldest arboriculture program in the country, with a legacy of excellence in education. This two-year program explores the latest research through classroom instruction and outdoor field work to give you the hands-on experience needed for a successful and fulfilling career as an arborist.

Level of Study

Undergraduate

Degree Type

A.S.

Method

On-Campus

Architecture is more than the design of buildings, it is the art of designing the spaces where people live, work, and play. At UMass Amherst, we take a holistic approach to architecture, understanding the ecological and political context of the built environment and encouraging students to design for sustainable communities. Our undergraduate pre-professional program prepares students for the study of architecture at the graduate level while our Master of Architecture can be the first step in a prolific architectural career.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.S., M.Arch.

Method

On-Campus

Find comfort in the uncomfortable. Ease in the awkward. At UMass Amherst, we encourage all students of art to examine the world with an unflinching gaze. We educate artists who are intellectually curious, artistically fearless, and technically proficient. Our studio programs encompass a wide range of media and leave space for students to invent new methods. The program prepares students for careers in the fine arts with wide applications across marketing, communications, nonprofits, and studio careers, as well as careers in arts education.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.A., B.F.A., M.F.A.

Method

On-Campus

Transform a passion for art into a career as a visual art teacher. The art education program at UMass Amherst is dedicated to creating inventive, passionate, and collaborative art educators who inspire creativity in their students. Through a combination of studio arts, art history, education, and field experiences, students embark on a critical examination of art education as they develop skills in research, visual arts, and professional pedagogy. The programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels prepare students for teacher licensure in the state of Massachusetts.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.F.A., M.F.A.

Method

On-Campus

See: History of Art and Architecture

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.A., M.A.

Method

On-Campus

Study the planets, moon, stars, galaxies, even the origin of the universe itself. Astronomy is a broad and exciting field encompassing the well known use of instruments like telescopes to study the stars, as well as lesser known mathematical and computer models that ask penetrating questions about the nature of the universe. At UMass Amherst, undergraduate students can choose to study astrophysics or space science. At the graduate level, our PhD program in astrophysics gives candidates the opportunity to conduct research at some of the leading national and international facilities. Careers in astronomy range from research positions in academia, roles in public and private institutions such as NASA or Boeing, or careers in education.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.A., B.S., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

Created for the modern scholar whose curiosity exceeds the bounds of traditional academic fields, the Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration is a self-directed, interdisciplinary major program that empowers students to design their own course of study. BDIC students work with a faculty sponsor and BDIC faculty supervisor to design their program. BDIC concentrations are deeply interdisciplinary, drawing from at least three departments. Students are encouraged to engage with resources from across the Five College Consortium, and it is common for BDIC students to conduct their own independent research or embark on a field experience prior to graduation. Recent BDIC concentrations include Buddhist philosophy through art, international trade and foreign policy, history and racism, archaeological tourism, and nutrition and the developing world.

Level of Study

Undergraduate

Degree Type

B.A., B.S.

Method

On-Campus

Uncover the chemical and physical principles underlying life as we know it. At UMass Amherst, students of biochemistry and molecular biology examine biological processes from physical, chemical, and genetic perspectives to better understand how biochemical reactions are integrated and regulated, and how genetic information is expressed. The study of biochemistry and molecular biology opens the door to a wealth of careers and graduate opportunities in the sciences. This program can also lead to a high chance of acceptance into medical and dental schools.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

Discover the science of life. At UMass Amherst, biology is a diverse field of study encompassing everything from the planetary to the microscopic. Students have the opportunity to study genetics, anatomy, physiology, neurobiology, botany, and paleontology, among others. Research is conducted in laboratories and in the field. For many students, an undergraduate biology program paves the way for further graduate study and careers in medicine or academia. A bachelor’s degree in biology can also pave the way for careers in education, and in public or private industry.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.A., B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

Make a difference in the world working at the intersection of biology, medicine, and engineering. By looking at the human body through the lens of engineering, biomedical engineers are able to use concepts of design, optimization, and programming to detect, repair, and treat diseases. This deeply cross-disciplinary field is focused on improving human health globally and solving problems in healthcare delivery. The study of biomedical engineering can lead to careers in medical equipment design, scientific research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and other work related to the medical field.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.S., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

The study of building and construction technology is aimed at maximizing the economic and environmental performance of the built environment. At UMass Amherst, students are transformed into leaders in the field of sustainable design and construction through comprehensive coursework on virtually every aspect of the field, from construction management to sustainable building planning. With our emphasis on sustainability, our graduates use green building as a tool to address climate change, enhance urban biodiversity, and conserve natural resources. Graduates of this program are in high demand across both residential and commercial building industries.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

Transform conceptual laboratory discoveries into new products and processes. Chemical engineering sits at the crossroads of chemistry, physics, and mathematics, working to bring about chemical and physical changes in materials. Traditionally utilized in industries such as petroleum refining and petrochemicals, the program at UMass Amherst prepares students for the future of the field through studies in biochemical engineering and advanced materials. Students at the graduate and undergraduate level are trained for careers across industries through research and coursework in our state-of-the-art facilities.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.S., M.S.

Method

On-Campus

The field of chemistry touches nearly every other scientific discipline. Most of the phenomena in the biological and physical sciences can also be broken down into the processes of molecules and atoms. As such, the field of chemistry is uncommonly broad, and at UMass Amherst, we encourage students to embrace this diversity and explore the areas of chemistry which they find most engaging. With opportunities to study and conduct research in organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry, students at UMass Amherst are uniquely positioned to take on leadership roles across scientific industries or pursue further study.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.S., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

Chinese culture is one of the oldest and most well-documented in the world, with traditions that extend back thousands of years. Chinese civilization has provided exceptional literature and arts, political thought, historical documentation, philosophy, and religion. Today, China is a culture and commercial center of Asia, with influence extending around the globe. At UMass Amherst, students immerse themselves in Chinese culture of the past, present, and future, through coursework ranging from Chinese business to Chinese pop culture. Studies are deepened through study abroad opportunities in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.A., M.A.

Method

On-Campus

Civil engineers build the environments of our lives. From roadways and subways to landfills, water treatment plants, even ski lifts, civil engineering touches every aspect of our world. At UMass Amherst, students are exposed to disciplines across the breadth of civil engineering including environmental and water resource engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural, mechanical, and transportation engineering. This field of study leads directly to relevant careers in engineering the built environment. UMass Amherst is dedicated to training engineers with both the technical expertise and sense of responsibility needed to excel in the field.

 

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Graduate

Degree Type

B.S., M.S.C.E., Ph.D.

Method

On-Campus

Discover the oldest discipline within the liberal arts. Classics is the study of ancient Greece and Rome, from their languages to their architecture, their art to their political thought. At UMass Amherst, classics scholars delve deep into these ancient societies to understand them in their own context and discover the ways in which these societies continue to shape our world. Essential to an education in the classics is a knowledge of the original language, either Greek or Latin. After graduation, classics majors are well placed to continue to graduate level education or step into any career requiring analytical and verbal skills. Additionally, there is currently a shortage of qualified Latin teachers at the secondary level, and a degree in classics from UMass Amherst is the first step toward this highly-valued profession.

Level of Study

Undergraduate

Degree Type

B.A.

Method

On-Campus