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Throughout the university, faculty and staff in a number of different offices provide students with support and advising services designed to help them get the most out of their academic experience at UMass Boston, and to plan for their future. Some services are campus-wide; others are located within each of the colleges; some serve all UMass Boston students, while others focus on students with particular needs. The descriptions that follow are a guide to advising, support, and enrichment at UMass Boston.
Academic Advising
University Advising Center
https://www.uac.umb.edu
Campus Center, 1st Floor, Room 1100
Academic Advisors in the University Advising Center (UAC) partner with students to help assess their academic strengths, stay on track, and identify a target graduation date.
Students without a declared major in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science and Mathematics, students without a concentration in the College of Management, and students with fewer than 60 credits in the College of Management are assigned an advisor in the University Advising Center.
Pre-Law and Pre-Med Advising
Advising in the Colleges
Staff and faculty members at each of the university’s colleges provide academic advising that focuses specifically on the needs of majors or concentrators within the college. Most students, once they have declared a major, receive academic advising through these college-based services.
College of Advancing and Professional Studies: Advising is provided by faculty in the student’s major
College of Education and Human Development: Students receive advising in their major and concentration area by faculty and receive general education advising from staff within the Student Services Center.
College of Liberal Arts: Students with a declared major receive advising from faculty advisors or departmental advisors in their major departments or from professional advisors in CLA Advising.
College of Management: Students with more than 60 credits may seek advising from the professional advisors in the Undergraduate Program Office.
College of Nursing and Health Sciences: Advising is provided by faculty and staff coordinated through the Office of Student Services.
College of Science and Mathematics: Students are advised by faculty in their major departments, with complementary advising available through the Student Success Center.
School for the Environment: Advising is provided by faculty in the school with support from the Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Dean’s Office.
Career Services & Internships
https://www.umb.edu/careers
Campus Center, 1st Floor, Room 1300
Engaging students/alumni in the process of their career development and connecting them to employment opportunities is the focus of Career Services. The staff provide information for students and alumni about career opportunities, and facilitate contacts with prospective employers. Individual counseling and group seminars in career planning alert students to the many and varied career opportunities available and to the requirements of prospective employers as well as to the changing nature of employment opportunities. Seminars are offered to assist with résumé writing, interviewing techniques, and the job search. On-campus events such as job fairs and guest speakers are regularly scheduled.
An active on-campus interview program is arranged each year so that students may meet employers and discuss current openings. Career Services offers job-seeking students and alumni password access to Beacon Careers Online, an online job search and career information site. A Career Resource Library houses information on employment and salary statistics, as well as specific information on businesses, non-profit organizations, school systems, and government agencies. A bank of computers is available to allow students on-line access to employment information and job opportunities. An option for students is use of an online career assessment program. It identifies interests and personality traits as they relate to work options and career choices. A biweekly job bulletin is emailed to interested students and alumni.
Career Services also provides information on a variety of graduate study programs. Materials on many fields are available, as well as application forms for graduate and professional school admission tests. The staff provides special advising for students interested in the law and in management.
National Student Exchange and University of Massachusetts Exchange
The National Student Exchange Program offers UMass Boston students the opportunity to study at one of the nearly 200 participating colleges and universities in over 40 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, at a cost comparable to what they currently pay to attend UMass Boston. While on exchange, students can develop an increased awareness of academic, cultural, ethnic, and geographic diversity within the United States. More information can be found at https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/uac/special_programs/national_student_exchange.
The University of Massachusetts Exchange Program is designed to allow matriculated students from one undergraduate University of Massachusetts campus who meet all eligibility requirements to attend another undergraduate university campus full-time for a period of not more than two semesters. The program provides access to the variety and richness of the academic offerings of the participating campuses. More information can be found at https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/career_services/special_programs/exchange.
Study Abroad and International Exchange
https://www.umb.edu/academics/global/studyabroad
Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Room 2100
UMass Boston students who wish to study outside the United States, whether for a summer or winter session, an academic semester, or an entire academic year, have a wide range of options available. Students may choose from over seventy programs offered through the University of Massachusetts; as well as short-term programs offered through University College and other educational institutions; or, with prior approval, direct enrollment in foreign universities.
International Student and Scholar Services
https://www.umb.edu/academics/global/isss
Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Room 2100
The International Student and Scholars Office (ISSO) provides services to international (non-immigrant) students. The office assists them with immigration-related concerns, issues related to employment, and questions regarding their visa status, including, but not limited to, the Form I-20, DS 2019. In addition, the office oversees a mandatory information session for new international and exchange students.
Academic Support Programs
https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/academic_support
Academic Support Programs offers comprehensive coursework and programs with the goal of helping students to succeed at UMass Boston. Academic Support Programs’ focus is on academic instruction, tutoring, and assessment of students’ writing and critical thinking capabilities.
Subject and math tutoring
Reading, Writing, and Study Strategies Center (RWSSC)
Undergraduate Studies
https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/undergraduate_studies
Campus Center, 1st Floor, Room 1300
The Department of Undergraduate Studies oversees the general education program, including the Writing Proficiency Requirement. They are here to provide you with information and guidance about general education curriculum and assessment, academic policy concerns, and waivers of certain academic requirements and deadlines.
Disability Services (Ross Center)
https://www.umb.edu/disability
Campus Center, Upper Level, Room 211
The mission of the Ross Center is to serve as a resource for the UMass Boston campus community in order to ensure academic access and inclusion for students, promoting a view of disability informed by social, cultural, and political forces. RCDS strives to create inclusive academic environments by advancing the construct of universal design throughout the university.
We accomplish this by providing academic accommodations, resources and training in assistive technology, and information to increase the understanding of disability throughout the university community.
Success Programs
Asian American Student Success Program
https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/aassp
McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 703
The Asian American Student Success Program (AASSP) is an academic support office. Its purpose is to help Asian American students gain admission to UMass Boston and to make sure they succeed academically, personally, and socially while they are here. Come see us for answers to any questions you may have during your time at the university. Feel free to seek our assistance whenever you need it; there is nothing to join or sign up for.
Success Boston Initiative
https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/success_boston
Campus Center, 1st Floor, Room 1300
Success Boston is a citywide college completion initiative that provides resources aimed at doubling the college graduation rate of Boston Public School (BPS) students. The university has formed a Success Boston team of university administrators, staff, advisors, and coaches from nonprofit community agencies to work with our BPS graduates. The community agencies working with UMass Boston students are Boston Private Industry Council, Bottom Line, Freedom House, Inc., Hyde Square Task Force, Sociedad Latina, The Steppingstone Foundation, uAspire, and West End House Boys and Girls Club. The initiative has expanded to include support for students who graduated from Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, Chelsea High School, and transfer students from Roxbury Community College.
Student Support Services
https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/student_support_services_program
Campus Center, 1st Floor, Room 1100
The federally funded Student Support Services Program provides advising, counseling and educational support services to 500 UMass Boston undergraduates with academic need who are first-generation college attending, economically disadvantaged and/or have disabilities. First year students, along with upper-class peer tutor/mentors, participate in Foundations, an eight-week program to improve academic survival skills. Continuing students attend workshops designed to enhance their decision-making skills and to help them prepare for the world of work or graduate school. Throughout their academic careers at the university, students work closely with their assigned advisors to identify needs, and to develop and attain educational, professional and personal goals. Scholarship support is provided to first- and second-year students who have unmet financial need. In addition, intensive support is provided for students who are interested in majoring in a math or science field but need additional skill development in these areas.
Alternative Admissions Program (Directions for Student Potential)
https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/academic_support/directions_for_student_potential
Campus Center, 1st Floor, Room 1300
Directions for Student Potential (DSP) is an intensive summer program designed to strengthen academic skills, and successful completion of the program guarantees admission to UMass Boston’s College of Liberal Arts or College of Science and Mathematics.
DSP is for motivated people who do not currently meet the admission requirements for the University but who demonstrate the potential to succeed at the college level. This is a comprehensive six-week summer program that prepares students for academic success at the University by helping them to improve their Verbal, Math, and English as a Second Language Skills.
Pre-Collegiate Programs
Admissions Guaranteed
https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/support_programs/admissions_guaranteed_program
McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 634
Initiated in 1989 by the University of Massachusetts Boston, the Admission Guaranteed Program assures admission to the University for students enrolled at the Dorchester Education Complex, Jeremiah E. Burke, and the High Schools at South Boston Education Complex who take courses in required subject areas and meet specific program criteria. Recruitment for the program is focused primarily on ninth graders. An important goal of the program is to help students see college as a viable option for their futures. Program services include tutoring, career advising, college awareness workshops, and cultural enrichment activities. The program furthers UMass Boston’s urban mission and its commitment to serve the urban community.
Talent Search (Project REACH)
https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/support_programs/talent_search
McCormack Hall, 1st Floor, Room 414
Project REACH identifies disadvantaged young people who have the potential for education at the post-secondary level and encourages them to continue and graduate from secondary school and enroll in programs at the post-secondary level. High school and post-secondary dropouts are also encouraged and assisted in returning to school. Initially funded in 1985, Project REACH was the first Talent Search Program in the nation to serve low-income, urban youth with disabilities. The Project serves students in special education and general education and is a national model for the successful inclusion of youth with disabilities in TRIO programs.
Math/Science Upward Bound
http://www.nobles.edu/summer-programs/upward-bound.cfm
The university operates the Math Science Upward Bound Program in conjunction with the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts. The purpose of the program is to increase the number of low-income and first-generation college students majoring in mathematics, the sciences, and computer science at the undergraduate level and, eventually, to increase the number who go on to advanced study in these fields.
Upward Bound
http://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/support_programs/upward_bound
McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 706
The Upward Bound Program provides 105 low-income, first-generation high school students with the skills and motivation to enter and successfully complete post-secondary education. This federally funded program offers high school students an array of academic, counseling, and support services that are designed to supplement high school education and are tailored to address specific student needs. Upward Bound juniors and seniors may audit university courses, gaining firsthand college experience and potential credit. The Program provides its services in a twice-weekly after-school program throughout the academic year and an intensive six-week residential session during the summer. Eligible participants are low-income and/or first generation college students who demonstrate interest in and potential for post-secondary education. They must also be residents of Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, or South Boston and/or attend the Dorchester Education Complex, Burke, Madison Park, South Boston Education Complex, or West Roxbury Education Complex. Students selected for participation attend year-round through high school completion.
Urban Scholars
http://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/support_programs/urban_scholars
McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 8
The purpose of the Urban Scholars Program is to provide gifted and academically talented students with the skills and motivation necessary for achievement at the highest level of their potential and to prepare these students for a successful college experience. The program also works collaboratively with the partner schools to enhance their capacity to develop the talent potential of all students. Urban Scholars serves students attending select Boston public middles schools.
The program offers students an early exposure to the university environment. The Urban Scholars core curriculum is designed to provide practice in applying basic skills and to develop higher level skills such as analysis, critical thinking, problem solving and other skills necessary for advanced learning. The core curriculum also strives to develop active and independent learning behaviors and the ability to teach oneself. All students must complete specific core requirements in order to graduate from the program. Program activities include university and program-provided classes, tutorials, supervised study, college and career advising, and cultural enrichment.
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