Degree Resources
The New Student Guide provides you with all the information and resources you need as a brand-new student.
The New Student Guide provides you with all the information and resources you need as a brand-new student.
The Student Handbook provides in-depth information about the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, including philosophy, requirements, curriculum, policies and more.
The Degree Planning Handbook walks you through the process of creating your degree plan and building your area of concentration.
This handbook provides you with the information you need to write your prior learning portfolio. To access, log into OneDrive (our online data storage site) with your UMass email and password.
Use this form to authorize the UWW Records & Registration Office to include all non-degree University of Massachusetts Amherst courses taken prior to matriculation into your cumulative credit total.
Use this form if you are a student who wishes to have a transfer course evaluation “re-evaluated” for transfer credit to UMass Amherst for the purpose of fulfilling degree or general education requirements.
Here you'll find the login to the degree plan form and detailed instructions on how to complete the degree plan form.
Use this form if you are a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student who would like to request an evaluation of trainings/certifications directly related to your area of concentration (AOC).
Use the Prior Learning Transcript Statement (PLTS) form if you are a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student seeking prior learning portfolio credits.
Use this form if you are a current online student seeking prior approval to take class(es) at another institution and transfer those class credit(s) taken at another institution to UMass Amherst to meet degree requirements.
Use this form if you are a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student who wants to enroll in practicums, internships, or independent study.
For campus students enrolling in an independent study or practicum in Summer or Winter OR online students enrolling in an independent study or practicum in any term.
Form for campus-based university undergraduates dropping a University+ class in Fall or Spring, non-credit students, and students who do not have access to drop their class in SPIRE.
Form used by former online student to either return to their original undergraduate degree program or to enroll in a different online undergraduate degree program.
UWW Interdisciplinary Studies students who are employees of Boston Children's Hospital or Mass General Brigham are eligible for our extended payment plan option which allows students to pay their bills up to 45 days after grades are posted.
Here you'll find the login to the degree plan form and detailed instructions on how to complete the degree plan form.
Review this list of common areas of concentration (AOC) with their definitions, or work with your faculty advisor to craft your own AOC title and definition.
Explore this list of online courses offered by UMass Amherst in the past three years to help you with degree planning. Remember that courses come and go with new, exciting courses being put online each semester.
If you are a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student seeking EEC credentialing or teacher licensure in the state of Massachusetts, this resource will help. Be in touch with your advisors to make sure you're taking the courses you need to fulfill state requirements.
Visit Gen Ed @ UMass to understand and get the information you need to fulfill the UMass Amherst General Education requirements.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams test college-level learning in a variety of subject areas, offering an option for a less expensive and faster way to meet general education requirements, demonstrate independent learning, and earn credit. You can even fulfill your R1 and CW requirements this way!
Here is a list of CLEP exams accepted by UMass Amherst. Before signing up for a CLEP exam, you should check with your advisor to be sure it is accepted for transfer. You will need to complete and submit the Prior Approval for Transfer Coursework form prior to registering for CLEP general exams. All CLEP exams are administered by the College Board and are included on transcripts as transfer credit.
If you attended UMass Amherst before becoming a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student, you may need 4 credits to fulfill a general education requirement, but some CLEP exams are only 3 credits. Make sure to consult with your academic advisor to confirm that a CLEP exam can satisfy a general education requirement if you previously attended UMass Amherst.
Some CLEP prep classes are offered online for free through Modern States. Courses consist of four to six hours of lectures, as well as access to free textbook readings and supplementary videos. The CLEP preparation page also has study guides that can help.
One of the University’s general education requirements for graduation is the R1 (Basic Math Skills) requirement. If you are unsure whether or not you have met the R1 requirement, check your SPIRE Academic Requirements Report or contact your advisor.
There are three ways to meet this requirement:
1. Take a course through UMass Amherst or elsewhere
Many courses within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics that meet the R2 (Analytic Reasoning) requirement for graduation also meet the R1 requirement. In addition, there are courses that only meet the R1 requirement. You can search for courses that meet the R1 or R2 requirement on SPIRE. To find out if a course that meets the R2 requirement also meets the R1 requirement, read the course description. If you elect to take a course elsewhere and transfer it in, it must at least be at the college algebra or intermediate algebra level; statistics courses may also meet the requirement. Consult with your advisor before registering for courses at another college.
2. Take the R1 Exemption Exam
The free R1 Exemption Exam is administered online by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and offered twice every semester.
3. Take a CLEP exam
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams in College Algebra, College Algebra/Trigonometry, and Precalculus meet the R1 requirement. Always speak with your advisor before signing up.
Another of the University’s general education requirements is the College Writing (CW) requirement. If you are unsure whether or not you need the CW, check your SPIRE Academic Advisement Report or contact your advisor.
Three ways to meet the CW requirement
- Take a College Level Examination Program Test (CLEP): The CLEP test College Composition meets the CW requirement. Always speak with your advisor before signing up.
- Take a course at a college other than UMass Amherst: Always speak with your advisor before registering for courses at another college.
- Fulfill the requirement at UMass Amherst: If you choose to fulfill the CW requirement through UMass Amherst, the first thing you’ll need to do is take the College Writing (CW) Placement Questionnaire. This free questionnaire can be completed online anytime. Be sure to visit the Writing Program website for further instructions.
Three possible paths after the questionnaire
- Some students will be encouraged to take ENGLWRIT 112 at UMass Amherst or the equivalent at another school to fulfill the CW general education requirement. ENGLWRIT 112 is offered online at UMass Amherst during the summer.
- Some students will be encouraged to take ENGLWRIT 112 at UMass Amherst or the equivalent at another school to fulfill the CW general education requirement, but also to seek additional writing support before or while taking the course.
- Regardless of questionnaire results, some students may wish to complete the waiver process to fulfill the CW general education requirement, which involves writing an essay comparable to the final assignment in ENGLWRIT 112. If you wish to complete the waiver process, email @email after completing the College Writing Placement Questionnaire.
Sometimes life happens and you need to take a break from school. We understand. Here’s how to do it right.
- Contact your advisor and let them know you need to take time off.
- Make arrangements to take care of any outstanding bills.
- When you’re ready to start classes again, submit the Undergraduate Reactivation Form.
- Once you're reactivated, your access to SPIRE and your email will be restored and your academic advisor will be in touch.
Below you will find some helpful videos with information covering common questions students have about various topics. If you have any questions about a video, please contact your academic advisor.