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UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Complete your bachelor’s degree with one of the nation’s top online programs.
The UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at UMass Amherst helps you complete your bachelor’s degree in a way that fits your life. Ranked #1 in New England and #17 nationwide for Online Bachelor’s Degrees by U.S. News & World Report (2026), our program combines academic excellence with flexibility.
Choose from courses across 40+ departments to build a concentration aligned with your career goals. Receive credit for your experience, accelerate your path to graduation, and benefit from expert advising and dedicated student support.
55 Years of Excellence
Established in 1971 as the original University Without Walls program, the UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies is one of the oldest and most well-regarded online bachelor's programs in the United States.
Why Is the UWW Degree Completion Program Right for You?
The UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies enables many types of students to take the next step in their undergraduate academic career. Here are just some of the types of students that can benefit from the flexibility of an online degree through UWW.
Working Parents
Adults who may be busy raising children and working while completing their degree.
Early- to Mid-Career Students
High school graduates with some transferable college credit and job or internship experience.
Community College Transfers
Students who have completed some undergraduate studies at a community college and are ready to advance their studies.
Active Military and Veterans
Active duty service members and veterans looking for the flexibility of a UWW online degree.
No transferable credit? Our Exploratory Pathways Program lets you start college as a part-time student, with no prior learning experience required.
More Reasons to Choose UWW Degree Completion
Credit for Experience
A unique aspect to the program is the credit you can earn from prior experience, which can help you speed up your degree and lower your cost. You can bring in or earn up to 105 credits for previous coursework, professional trainings and certifications, exams such as CLEP, and by writing a series of essays about your experience (prior learning portfolio).
Advising and Support
For us, it's more than a job. Our advising team is made up of people who took the road less traveled, are invested in your success, and who are experts in supporting students like you. From your academic and faculty advising team, to our tutoring and career services, you'll get the assistance you need to balance work, family, and school, stay on track academically, and push you past the finish line.
What You Need to Know
Explore our areas of study to build an individualized degree concentration that meets your educational and professional goals and leads to degree completion.
Learn how to get credit for experience, save time and money, and receive the best advising and support. Have questions or need guidance? We are always here to help.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
The University Without Walls Department of Interdisciplinary Studies has been helping students just like you finish their bachelor's degrees at a world class public university. And now it's your turn.
Submit this form and one of our dedicated staff members will be in touch soon to answer your questions and help guide you on your journey. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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