4. Multi-Disciplinary Activities

Commonwealth Honors College

In 1999, the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education selected the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus as the location of Commonwealth College, renamed the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Honors College offers a variety of educational, service, social and advising opportunities to support its over 2,500 academically talented students. Commonwealth Honors College is a campus-wide program; students from all majors in every college are eligible to join the Honors College. Features of the Commonwealth Honors College include:

  • The curriculum of the Honors College constitutes at least 20% of a student’s degree program.
  • The Honors College requires an honors thesis or honors capstone project.
  • Students affiliated with the Honors College are eligible to apply for funds to support independent research and thesis projects.
  • The college emphasizes active learning and participatory education by offering opportunities for students to participate in regional and national conferences, Honors Semesters, international programs, community service, internships, undergraduate research, and other types of experiential education.
  • The Honors College offers substantial honors residential opportunities:  https://www.umass.edu/honors/book/handbook

International Programs Office

The International Programs Office is located at 70 Butterfield Terrace on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus. This office handles all international travel for University of Massachusetts students attending classes overseas or students from international institutions attending classes at the University of Massachusetts. If students have questions about visas, please have them reach out to IPO directly. https://www.umass.edu/ipo/

The International Programs student handbook can be found at: https://www.umass.edu/ipo/iss/international-student-handbook-0

Study abroad: If students are interested in studying abroad, they are encouraged to work with their academic advisor early in their academic career to identify which courses they can take abroad. There are over 70-campus sponsored programs on every continent but Antarctica. There are currently two undergraduate study abroad programs that are specifically designed for SPHHS students, offered through the Public Health Sciences undergraduate program. In the spring semester, students and faculty are invited to participate in a study abroad program in Costa Rica. Faculty apply to participate as instructors in these programs to offer intensive (3 week) courses.