ULA Student FAQ

ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

The Labor Center at UMASS Amherst offers three different Master’s of Science in Labor Studies tracks. 

Union Leadership & Activism

The original ULA program requires students to attend four 10-day residencies on campus in western Massachusetts. Each student must complete 2 July and 2 January residencies. The final, fifth semester is fully remote.

Union Leadership & Activism for Educators

The ULA for Ed program is the only program of its kind in the US. Students (mostly public education workers) attend on-campus residencies in July only. We offer a fully remote elective class for students in the educator track during Spring semesters. Students typically complete the degree in 6 semesters.

Accelerated Residential

The residential program is a traditional full-time Master’s program. Students attend classes on campus for an academic year and then attend one July ULA residency. The degree can be completed in 3 semesters, however some students choose to take 4. ULA students will meet a handful of residential students each year that they attend a July session. 

PRE-ARRIVAL

Admissions

• How do I accept my offer of admission?

You will need to respond to the Offer of Admission letter from the Graduate School in the Slate application system.

• What steps do I need to take after being admitted?

Once admitted, you will need to submit official transcripts from your previous educational institution to the graduate admissions office, submit an up-to-date vaccine record to health services, and accept required financial agreements in SPIRE. Please note that these three requirements can take lots of time and document wrangling. Do not wait to do these as they will impact your ability to enroll in courses.

• Can I defer?

Yes. Students can defer for up to 2 semesters. After that time, you must reapply. Communicate your decision to accept or defer with Associate Director Nellie Taylor and GPD Clare Hammonds.

Finances

• How does billing for tuition and other fees work?

ULA courses are billed on the regular academic calendar. Current cost is $550 per credit. The university charges other fees associated with graduate study which will be itemized on your bill. More information on the Bursar website.

• Who can I reach out to if I have questions about my bill?

If you think you have been billed for the incorrect number of credits, please check-in with Nellie or Sierra. If you have questions about payment plans, making payments, or charges on your bill, please contact the Bursar’s office.

• When are tuition bills generated? 

The bursar posts the billing timeline on their website.

• What are ‘conference services’ and why do I have to pay for them?

Conference services help us run our January and July sessions. We rent banquet rooms from them, they provide catering, and help with lodging. Students are required to pay a small conference services fee for the use of facilities. 

• Can I get financial aid?

You can discuss financial aid and get support on your financial aid application via the UMASS Amherst financial aid website. 

• Does the Labor Center offer scholarships?

Yes. We will communicate about scholarship opportunities every semester when we send out our list of available courses. 

Course registration

• How do I know which classes to register for?

Every semester, we will send out the list of classes we are offering. Most ULA students take their classes on a standard progression. We will list recommended classes for each track. 

• How do I get signed up for classes?

Newly admitted students will be registered directly by Labor Center staff. Returning ULA and residential students are responsible for using SPIRE to register themselves correctly in classes. In order to register, you will need to have active student status and no holds. Holds get placed on your account by other offices when you have missing documents, unpaid bills, or a variety of other bureaucratic issues. 

Travel, lodging, and food

• What are my housing options on campus?

Options include: dorms, the campus hotel, and Hillel House. They all range in price. Conference services will provide specific options when it’s closer to session time.

• Do people ever stay off campus?

Yes! You are welcome to book a hotel or airbnb. Some students organize to rent homes together.

• What are my options for meals?

We provide a meal card option that allows you to purchase all meals on campus in various eateries. Some students choose to cook for themselves or eat off-campus and forgo the mealcard. 

• What’s the best way to get to campus from xyz location?

We will share comprehensive travel information once you’re registered for a session. 

Preparing for class

• How much do I need to read before class starts?

Lots! Instructors assign a fair amount of pre-reading in each syllabus. You are required to complete these assignments before arrival.

• How will I access the syllabus and other materials before I arrive?

We use Canvas (a Learning Management System) to organize courses and syllabi. Once you are admitted, your student status is activated, and you get your student email address, you will be able to access Canvas. We sometimes share syllabi with students before they’re able to access Canvas depending on timing.

DURING SESSION

Campus resources 

• Health Services
• IT
• Libraries
• Athletics & Recreation
• Office of Professional Development
• U-Cards
• International Students 

Student life 

• How can I connect with my classmates?
  • Contact your student caucus reps and ask to join your cohort’s text thread. Consider attending our community-building events during the 10-day session, or self-organize an event! 

POST SESSION & BETWEEN SESSIONS

Maintaining Student Status 

If you delay or take a break between sessions, you are required to self-register for continuous enrollment by each semester’s registration deadline in order to maintain active student status. If you fail to register, you will be "de-activated" by the graduate registrar and incur readmission fees. 

Communicating with professors and staff

Staying in frequent contact with your instructors and Labor Center staff is the best way to stay on top of information and build relationships. Please actively check your umass email for the duration of your time with us, attend Zooms and talks, etc. 

Academic Support 

UMASS Amherst has a number of resources available to graduate students. Please be in touch if you find yourself needing academic support of any kind. 

Incompletes

We have a department-specific incomplete policy. If you need to take an incomplete for any reason, please complete our incomplete contract with your instructor and submit it to LC staff. 

Withdrawals

If you need to withdraw from the program, please contact LC staff. If you’d like to return at some point, we recommend against withdrawing as it incurs larger fees. 

Readmission

If you are discontinued by the graduate school for any reason, we will need to re-admit you. To be readmitted, contact LC staff. 

Graduation

Once you have completed 36 credits and submitted all outstanding work, you will be eligible to apply for graduation. You must have active student status, have paid all bills, and completed all work to qualify. There are three graduation seasons a year: May, September, and February. We will send out email reminders yearly for students nearing graduation readiness. Each May, the Labor Center hosts a celebratory meal on graduation day. Graduates and family and friends are most welcome to attend. 

Hear from our current and former ULA students...

“Go talk to the cohorts ahead of yours. I learned a lot talking to the folks who were a couple semesters ahead of me. And, do the social time stuff!”

“Get the readings done so you can hang out. There is so little time that we're all together, that if you're scrambling to do the readings last minute, there will be no time to get to know your cohort—and your classmates are amazing.”

“Don't try to attend ULA and commute from more than 30 min away. It's going to be punishing, and you won't be able to hang as much.”

“Make a plan with the faculty to do your paper and don't wait.”

“However you can swing it, familiarize yourself with all the assigned reading. At least get an understanding of what each required article is about, and come up with one question or reflection relevant to it. Trying to get the reading done while at ULA is a recipe for stress, confusion and burn out.”

“Bring cash just in case for the opening banquet bar.”