Apply anytime to this online program! You can take classes as a "non-degree" student before official acceptance.
Request More Information about the Online Bachelor Degree in Sustainable Food & Farming
The Bachelors Degree Program
The fully online BS in sustainable food and farming is designed for those who are intrigued by sustainable agriculture and possible careers in this field. The major offers flexibility in designing a personal program of study, allowing students to focus on vegetable, fruit, and animal systems, permaculture, whole farm production and marketing, agricultural education, public policy, advocacy, community development, and more. The self-designed, hands-on internship is an enjoyable experiential component of this program that is optional, but highly recommended.
We also offer a fully online Associate degree in sustainable food and farming as well as 15-credit Certificate.
List of online classes and annual schedule
If you have specific questions please contact Renee Ciulla at , @email or 413-687-1392
Background
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has offered Bachelor of Science degrees to students at the UMass Amherst campus since 1871 when 27 students graduated with an agricultural degree. U.S. News & World Report has recently named the Stockbridge School of Agriculture #1 in the nation, and #5 in the world, for Best Global Universities for Agricultural Science. The Stockbridge school began offering online courses in 2008 and now offers over 40 online classes in sustainable food and farming.
Admission Requirements
Students are admitted based on their complete applicant profile, including academic record, related experiences, and personal/professional goals.
- The minimum GPA required for admissions is 2.7/4.0 scale, however, we evaluate applicants on a number of criteria including work experience, military experience, and life circumstances.
Application deadlines
• Fall semester – Early application deadline May 1, regular deadline June 1
• Spring semester – Early application deadline October 1, regular deadline November 1
• Summer semester – Early application deadline March 1, regular deadline March 15, material deadline April 1
Fees
- $550 per credit (subject to change)
- Credit registration fee (per term) $85
- Application fee: $60 for the early deadline and $85 for the regular deadline
- Fees are the same for in-state, out-of-state, and non-U.S. students
Application Materials
- Official college transcripts from all colleges previously attended, regardless of whether or not transfer credit is desired. Transcripts are considered official if mailed directly or sent electronically by the institution’s registrar to: @email (Hard copies of transcript may be needed if the electronic transcript is illegible or not from a reputable organization).
- Official transcripts should be mailed to UWW Admissions: University Without Walls / Division of Online Education / 350 Campus Center Way / Amherst, MA 01003-9202. Paper or electronic transcripts sent from students are not considered official. Photocopies are not acceptable. If you have additional questions, please call CPE Admissions at (413) 545-3440.
- Official high school transcript – If students have completed fewer than 27 graded semester credits of college coursework, an official high school transcript with graduation notation (or GED scores) is also required.
- Official SAT or ACT scores are sent directly to UMass Amherst from the testing agency. If students have completed fewer than 27 semester credits of college coursework at the time of application, official SAT or ACT scores are also required, unless the student has a waiver. Waivers are granted upon request to: students from Massachusetts with documented learning disabilities (state law); veterans; and students who graduated from high school five or more years ago. The school codes are as follows: SAT 3917 and ACT 1924.
- ESL students – Students whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English language proficiency, from one of the following: TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based); SAT written score of 450 or higher; 7/8 essay score. Prueba de Aptitud Academica (PAA) English score of 600 or higher; IELTS score of 6.5 or higher. TOEFL/IETL scores are only accepted for two years after the test date. Applicants may also request an ESL exam exemption if they have completed two non-ESL English composition courses with grades of B or better, and additional coursework in the humanities and social sciences with a grade of B or better. Please note that exemption from the ESL exam requirement is not automatic, but is based upon a complete review of the applicant’s academic history.
- Essay (250 words or less)–What led you to apply to the UMass Amherst BS in sustainable food and farming? What qualifications and traits do you possess that would help you be successful? How would completing this degree program help you meet your personal and/or professional goals?
- If a student has a disciplinary or criminal history, s/he must also provide an explanation, as well as a Transfer Disciplinary Report from the college where the disciplinary incident occurred or a CORI report. See the application form for more information.
- For more information, see: UWW Admissions
Financial aid
If you would like to apply for financial aid, please complete a FAFSA application: https://fafsa.gov/
The university code is 002221. Any questions related to completing the FAFSA in relation to your UMass financial aid package can be directed to Sharon Ruth at 413-545-3219 or via email at @email; or Matt Mourovic at @email
Please also see the Financial Aid website. Alternatively, students are always welcome to meet with a counselor during office hours, call the main number 413.545.0801, or e-mail at finaid@finaid.umass.edu. It's best to identify yourself as an online (UWW) student to be sure to get the most accurate information.
- Students admitted for summer will be packaged starting in early April, and continue as students are admitted/activated for summer. To receive aid in summer 2021, you must submit a 2020–2021 FAFSA and a summer aid application (online around mid-March at umass.edu/umfa/forms). The deadline to submit the FAFSA for summer aid is June 30, 2021.
- Students admitted for fall will be packaged for financial aid starting mid-July. Packaging will continue through the academic year as students are admitted.
- Students admitted for spring will be packaged starting in late November. Packaging will continue as students are admitted.
*In all cases, students will not be packaged until they are admitted and have provided all required documents to Financial Aid Services. The FAFSA priority deadline is May 1. Missed the deadline? There is still aid available. Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible.
Transfer credit
Transfer credit is awarded upon acceptance; PTCE (preliminary transfer credit evaluation) upon admission, final transfer credits are awarded before the semester begins. However, transfer credit for coursework related to program requirements is done in consultation with the faculty advisor after admission.
General education requirements
Please see here for information from the UMass Registrar's Office related to general education requirements. Keep in mind that this information was initially created for campus students, so although the requirements remain the same, certain courses will differ for online students: General Education Requirements.
Gen Ed Course Planning Guide for Transfer Students
Gen Ed Course Planning Guide for First Year Students
Second Bachelor’s
If you have a previous BS degree from UMass Amherst, then you need to complete a minimum of 30 additional credits to attain a second BS degree. If your BS is from a University other than UMass, you’ll need to complete a minimum of 45 credits. All previous credits can be used to complete degree requirements, but it's important to keep in mind that the UMass BS degree requirements still have to be met. Therefore, there is a chance that few or no electives, for example, will transfer over. Please note that ALL applications for the online bachelors degree in sustainable food and farming, including from students who already have a bachelor's degree, should follow the application process for University Without Walls (UWW) explained above.
How to enroll in classes
Please see here for instructions on how to register for online classes whether you are a non-degree or degree-seeking student.
Math and English placement exams
Please see here for the placement exams that are required to take before registering for Math or English classes:
International students are welcome!
Since this program is fully online there are no visas required, and therefore no barriers for any international student to apply and take classes. Keep in mind that if a student would like to come to campus to participate in a commencement, or other type of formal meeting, they would need to do so on a visitor's visa, not a student visa. Students who have attended universities outside of the United States are asked to have their official transcripts evaluated by a professional organization. Please see the following website for more information.
UMass accepts students from all 50 states
Please see here for more information about the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
Academic advisers
Disability services
Disability Services coordinator Jackie Walton can speak with students and explain the process to get disability accommodations. Her email is @email and phone is 413-545-0892.
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A school program offered by one of our online students
Our students are amazing!
What a few of our students are saying about our online program
“I was offered my dream job this spring, thanks largely to what I've learned in this program. I'm the Sustainable Food Systems Program Coordinator for Penn State's Commonwealth campuses, based at Behrend College. It's been incredible. I had no idea when I started all of this that my dream job would be created just in time...but something drew me strongly to this UMass program, and I love how things evolved!”
–Katie Chriest
"I cannot believe the richness of these courses, and how much I have learned. Each week as I look through the online discussions, I realize the different needs of the other students – where they live, their economic constraints, their philosophies about life, their passions. I love being able to study online, and I never thought I would."
-- Margaret Seton
"As a passionate farmer, taking the time to sit on a school bench again seemed a difficult decision; not wanting to miss a single season at the farm yet wanting to be up-to-date in the field and take charge of the farm successfully and even more sustainable. This is what pushed me toward the online program; I could do both, and adjust my studying periods with my farmer's schedule.
–Gloria Fortin
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the rich palette of courses this program offers, with great professors who have an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. I found the program and its platform allowed me to access the class from anywhere and also at any time of the day or night. This accessibility enabled me to work classes into my already very busy life."
–Arthur Hildreth Jr.