Resources to Support Your Success

Graduate school can often be a time of unique challenges for students. We all bring different strengths to the table, but sometimes, we may face different challenges. To support students, UMass has several both academic and non-academic resources. Please see several highlighted university and school resources below. You are also encouraged to visit the Graduate Student Senate website for additional information related to graduate students and available resources.

If you have questions or need assistance getting connected with campus or community resources, or aren’t sure where to begin, please fill out the Dean of Student’s Office Student Support Request/Referral Form or contact acaddean [at] schoolph [dot] umass [dot] edu (acaddean[at]schoolph[dot]umass[dot]edu).

SPHHS Office of Academic Success and Career Planning

The SPHHS Office of Academic Success offers centralized resources for students in the school. The Center is dedicated to helping SPHHS graduate and undergraduate students achieve their highest potential through thoughtful support and career planning. It creates and complements other campus-wide programs that increase student retention; support timely progress toward degree completion; and enhance wellness, student engagement, and career exploration.

The Center supports all SPHHS undergraduate and graduate students academically, professionally, and personally through:

  • Academic skill building and student development
  • Helping students understand and navigate campus policies
  • Providing referrals to campus resources
  • Career planning and development
  • Collaborating with departments and programs to create a comprehensive level of support

Contact: acaddean [at] schoolph [dot] umass [dot] edu (acaddean[at]schoolph[dot]umass[dot]edu)

Career Advising

The Office of Career Planning works with all SPHHS students on a wide range of career planning activities, such as: identifying career interests; cover letter and resume writing, practicum/job search strategies, interviewing and salary negotiation skills. Additionally, they host employer information sessions, career fairs and panels. Connect with the Office of Career Planning early, utilize Handshake and read their Career Snaps, delivered directly to your UMass inbox.

Additionally, the Graduate School Office of Professional Development offers graduate students professional skills training on career preparation, communication, grants and fellowships, personal development, and teaching.

Housing

There are many housing options for graduate students both on and off campus. To learn about which options may work best for you, check out the Graduate Student Senate’s website.

Academic and Inclusive Learning

Disability Services at UMass Amherst is committed to full access for all persons at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and embraces the philosophy of social justice, promoting the empowerment of people with disabilities and their full integration into campus life and the community. Direct services are provided for all types of disability. Disability Services also provides information and referral on issues of accessibility, coordinates guest accommodations, and provides training and staff development to the university community.

If you have a disability and require accommodations, please register with Disability Services (413-545-0892). Information on services and materials for registering are available on their website.

UMass Writing Center: Provides support for developing writing skills, tutoring, and editing of written work.

English as a Second Language Program: Provides support for non-native English speaking students.

Well-Being and Support Services

  • Dean of Students Office (DOSO): Helps support students experiencing hardship, crisis, trauma, or financial or food insecurity. DOSO offers short-term loans.
  • University Health Services: This is your first point of contact for any health or medical issue you might have! UHS has provided guidelines and action steps for new students coming to UMass Amherst that can be found here.
  • Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH): Provides psychological counseling and therapy, diagnostic assessment, suicide prevention, behavioral management, and stress management. Provides services to meet the needs of the diverse cultural and linguistic populations of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Five Colleges, and surrounding Hampshire County community. Services include on-call clinician for emergencies, confidential sessions with counselors, skill-building and support workshops, individual therapy, psychiatric consultation, therapy resources for students of color, referrals to outside providers, and assessments. Unfortunately, CCPH services are not available to UWW students at this time.
  • Student Care Supply Closet: Provides free toiletries and household items to students who are facing economic insecurity and/or an unexpected financial emergency.
  • Center for Women and Community: 24-hour rape crisis service; counseling; support groups; training and community organization on issues of violence against women; advocacy and cultural, educational, and social programs for women of color.
  • Student Parent Programs: Offers a number of support resources for student parents, such as childcare subsidies, connection to SNAP and WIC, and more.
  • Title IX at UMass Amherst: Title IX is a federal education law that protects against discrimination based on gender. To report an incident of sexual harassment, discrimination, assault, violence, or stalking, contact the Title IX coordinator: 413-545- 3464
  • UMass Recreation Center: UMass Campus Recreation offers a range of facilities and fitness options, whether it’s intramural or club sports, group fitness classes, yoga or drop-in recreation for pickup basketball, walking on the track, swimming, or running on the treadmill.
  • The Student Legal Services Office (SLSO): is a student-funded law office providing legal assistance to fee-paying UMass Amherst students and student groups. The SLSO offers FREE, CONFIDENTIAL advice and/or referral in most legal matters affecting students, assisting them to identify and solve their legal problems. In certain limited circumstances they represent students in court. The SLSO employs attorneys, professional support staff, law clerks, and student staff. They also offer opportunities for a semester-long legal assistant internship to undergraduate students at UMass Amherst.
  • Public Safety – UMass Police Department: Operates 24 hours per day, seven days a week, providing all patrol, investigative, specialized, and emergency response, as well as crime prevention and educational services at the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus.

Community and Support Services

  • SPHHS Graduate Student Lounge: Check out the graduate lounge in Arnold House Room 12. It is a great place to study or meet with your peers.
  • Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS): Cultural enrichment, academic support, student development, and support for institutional diversity.
  • International Programs Office (IPO): Supports international students with visas and transitioning to the University. IPO hosts many community events. Please note that IPO is not able to assist students who are only enrolled through UWW with obtaining a visa.
  • Stonewall Center: Provides support, resources, programming, and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA), and allied students, staff, and faculty at UMass Amherst and for the larger Pioneer Valley.
  • Veteran Services: Certification of Education Benefits. Programming and support for families, actively serving military members, and separated veterans.
  • Office of Religious and Spiritual Life: Educational programs, individual and institutional advocacy, interfaith dialogue, meditation groups, and referral to pastoral counseling and support services.
  • Campus Pulse: Your gateway to hundreds of campus activities, campus offices, and more than 200 registered student organizations (RSOs). Check Campus Pulse for the full list.

Parking and Transportation

There are many ways to commute to campus: bike, PVTA bus system, or car. Please check out the parking and transportation website for more information. Please note that students who are only enrolled through UWW do not have access to parking and transportation services at UMass.