Applying: University Without Walls Interdisciplinary Studies
Welcome! We are excited you’ve decided to apply to the UWW Interdisciplinary studies program to earn your customized bachelor's degree online.
The admissions process differs depending on your current relationship with UWW and UMass Amherst. We put together the following guide to assist you.
First Things First
Add the @umass.edu domain to your Safe Senders list so that important emails from UMass Amherst don't get caught in your spam filter. UMass Amherst provides instructions on how to add to your Safe Senders list for Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook 2016, and a couple of others. Not seeing your email provider? Search the internet for “How do I add a domain to my safe senders list in _____ (add email provider).”
Please check your spam filter regularly to be sure that you’re not missing any emails from us.
It’s particularly important during the admissions process that you receive emails from the following addresses:
Which Form Do I Use?
The first thing is to figure out which application form to use. Are you a:
If you're new to UMass Amherst, use the online UWW Undergraduate Admissions Application.
Are you a non-degree student who has only ever taken individual classes at UMass Amherst? Use the online UWW Undergraduate Admissions Application.
Are you a Former UMass Amherst (on-campus) Student who was enrolled in an on-campus degree program in the past? Welcome back! Use the UWW Undergraduate Admissions Application.
Are you a Former UMass Amherst Student who was enrolled in a UWW/CPE program in the past? Welcome back! Please submit this UWW Undergraduate Reactivation Form.
The Basics
To be considered for admission, here are the minimum requirements:
- A minimum of 12 transferrable 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.
For your convenience, we have three start 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.
| Starting Semester | Early Application ($60 Application Fee)* |
Regular Application ($85 Application Fee)* |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | May 1 | June 1 |
| Spring | October 1 | November 1 |
| Summer | March 1 | March 15 |
Admissions are done on a rolling basis. Completed files will be reviewed and decided upon on a first-come, first-serve basis for each term. Decisions are sent via email as they are determined.
Application Fee Waivers
The application fee is waived if you are a Massachusetts Community College graduate (or current student in your last semester), or you are active duty military or a U.S. veteran.
In order to be considered for admission, please make sure that all of the required application materials are received by the following date:
| Semester | Deadline |
| Fall | July 1 |
| Spring | December 1 |
| Summer | April 1 |
Review the International Applicant Guide prior to submitting your application for admission.
Required Materials
Make sure to submit all required materials below, some of which will be collected on the application:
- Resume: Having this helps our advisors to get to know you so they can provide you with the best possible support.
- Short answers: In about 100 words, describe how your past experiences have led you to apply to UWW and, in another 100 words, tell us more about what you're interested in studying and why.
- 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. Applicant-submitted transcripts are not accepted. Transcripts can be sent to the UWW Admissions, UMass Amherst, 350 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003-2902 or by email to @email. Maximum transfer credits is 75 semester credits.
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
Official transcripts and official transcript evaluations are required whether or not transfer credit is desired. If you are an international student, please review our International Applicant's Guide.
- 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+ (UWW) 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.
Make sure to submit the required materials below, some of which will be collected on the application:
- Resume: Having this helps our advisors to get to know you so they can provide you with the best possible support.
- Short answers: In about 100 words, describe how your past experiences have led you to apply to UWW and, in another 100 words, tell us more about what you're interested in studying and why.
- 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+ (UWW) 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.
Official Transcripts
You don't have to submit any transcripts with your application. However, in order to receive credit for courses you've taken since you left UMass Amherst, you'll want to get those official transcripts to us as soon as possible.
Fresh Start
Students who return 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.
Additional Steps
Depending on your status when you were last a student, there may some additional steps you have to take. The application instructions will walk you through this and our staff is here to help.
What Happens After I Apply?
Following receipt of your application, you will be sent an email with further information. Within 5-6 business days, you will also receive credentials that will allow you to log into our student information system (SPIRE) where you will be able to check the status of your application and missing materials, if applicable.
NOTE: Application review will not take place until we have received all required materials in our office. It is essential for you to check the status of your application and remit any materials as quickly as possible. Decisions are generally determined within 4-6 weeks from the start of application review.
HOLDS: Prior students are responsible for resolving any hold(s) on their UMass account. Applications received on accounts that have a hold which prevents enrollment will not be reviewed by admissions until resolved. To check for holds, log into SPIRE, on the right side of the screen on your student services center page you will see “holds”. To resolve, please contact the office which placed the hold. Once resolved, we can begin our review (if all required materials have also been received). For advising holds, please contact your department.
Please add the @umass.edu domain to your Safe Senders list so that important emails from UMass Amherst don't get caught in your spam filter. You can follow these instructions on how to add to your Safe Senders list for Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail and a few others.
