Apply to Interdisciplinary Studies

To be considered for admission, here are the minimum requirements: 

• A minimum of 12 transferable college credits* 
• A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA*
• You do not have a bachelor's degree   

*Former UMass Amherst Students - You do not need to have a 2.0 GPA or 12 credits.

The following materials are required when applying to this program, some of which will be collected as part of the application. If you are a former UMass Amherst student, unless you took classes after leaving UMass Amherst, none of these additional materials are typically required.

• Resume
   
• Essay: In about 150 words, please tell us what led to your decision to apply to this program as well as your educational goals.
   
• Official Transcript(s): Submit official college transcripts from all colleges you have previously attended, regardless of whether credit is desired. UMass Amherst accepts electronic transcripts from official third parties (eScrip-Safe, Parchment, etc.) or directly from the Registrar's office of the issuing school. Student-submitted transcripts are not accepted. Transcripts can be sent to the Admissions Office, UMass Amherst, 350 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003-2902 or email to @email. Maximum transfer credit is 75 semester credits.
  
  Former UMass Amherst students: You do not have to submit any transcripts unless you've taken classes since you left UMass Amherst. To receive credit for these classes, please send an official transcript(s) to us as soon as possible.
  
  NOTE: Applicants are not required to submit JST, CCAF, or CLEPs at the time of admission. These transcripts can be submitted after acceptance for additional transfer credit.
   
• High School Transcripts, GED or HiSET Scores (if less than 27 transferable college credits)
   
• English Language Proficiency Documentation: If English is not your first language, please review our English Language Proficiency Requirements.
   
• International Transcript(s), if applicable: If you have attended a post-secondary college or university, official transcripts are required whether or not transfer credit is desired. 
  
  International Students: Please review our International Applicant's Guide.

Applicants are also evaluated on other criteria, including work and military experience and life circumstances.

• Boston Children's Hospital and Mass General Brigham Employees
  If you are a Boston Children's Hospital or Mass General Brigham employee, you will receive a 10% discount on all Univ+ online undergraduate courses. To receive this discount, answer "yes" to the question "Are you affiliated with a partnership program" on the application, choose your employer, and verify your employment. Acceptable documentation include: Pay stub (redact SSN), Employee ID, Email from supervisor or HR, company web profile, business card, company directory, or anything else that shows your employer. Do not upload documents containing your social security number.

Application Deadlines/Fee

For your convenience, we have fall, spring, and summer starting terms. Apply by our early deadline to receive a discount on your application fee, have your application processed faster, meet your academic advisor sooner, and get a jump start on class registration.

Application Fee Waivers

The application fee is waived if you are a former UMass Amherst or Hampshire College student, Massachusetts Community College graduate (or current student in your last semester), active duty military, a U.S. veteran, or a military spouse or dependent.

Materials Deadlines

In order to be considered for admission, please make sure that all of the required application materials/fee are received by the following date. Admissions review will not begin until all required materials, including the application fee (if applicable), have been received. Materials deadlines do not apply to former UMass Amherst students.

Admissions are done on a rolling basis and complete applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received.

Review the International Applicant Guide prior to submitting your application. Former UMass Amherst students have already satisfied the English language proficiency requirement.

Students who are returning to UMass Amherst after an absence of at least three years may have their prior work excluded from the calculation of their cumulative grade point average subject to certain conditions. This is known as the "Fresh Start" policy, because you begin a new cumulative GPA upon readmission. Please review the Fresh Start policy for more information including eligibility requirements. Before making a decision about Fresh Start, please contact Academic Dean Scott Davidson at @email.