What do I need to know to complete a course or earn a BA at UMass Boston?
I’ve been accepted to a funded course, what are my responsibilities?
Congratulations! There will be other expenses that are related to the course that you will be responsible for:
Books: The price of text books can vary but they often average about $125 per course for new books. Other options are: many of the faculty put a copy of text book on reserve in the library.
This does require that you plan extra time on campus each week to keep up with assigned reading. Used books are often available at bookstore or online. In addition, it is now possible to rent books for a semester.
Commuting: If you drive to campus, the parking fee is $6.00 each time, but consider buying a multiuse parking pass, which can reduce that cost to as little as $5.00. These parking passes are available in Quinn 2 nd
floor and in the bookstore, campus center - lower level.
Personal expenses: you might have expenses of child care or reduced hours at work. Please be sure to factor these into your cost of participating in the course.
What is the time commitment for a college course?
Most classes meet for three hours each week, plus you will need to factor in time to do reading and assignments, writing and research. A typical three credit course, meets for three hours, you will need an additional six hours to prepare, totaling nine hours a week.
What computer skills do I need?
Most faculty and all university communication is via email. You will be given a UMass email, which can be forwarded to your usual email account (hotmail, gmail, etc.)
So knowledge of email is essential, but there are resources to learn all the other skills! It is extremely helpful for students to have access to computers and the internet so those extra hours of coursework can be done conveniently. The library does have laptops for loan, within the library. If you have a technology need please share your concerns as we have some limited resources to support students.
WISER is the where your university information is stored. Here you will access your grades, register for classes and see next semesters schedule.
BlackBoard is a learning management system that is used by some faculty for electronic discussions and submittal of assignments.
Wikis are websites that can also be used for discussions and building information in collaboration with other students.

With your UMass ID, you will be able to access the university’s journals and articles from home! This opens an amazing resource for seeing what has already been written on a topic.
Where am I in the process?
Application
I’ve indicated interest in a course, so I applied to ABCD for
EPS funding. or
I’m interested in working on my degree at UMass Boston, so I’ve completed an application are awaiting acceptance.
Registration
I’ve signed up to take a course.
Registering for a course, does not mean that I’m accepted into a degree program.
Matriculation
I have completed the application process at UMass Boston, supplied transcripts, paid application fee AND been accepted to a degree program.
Once matriculated at UMass
Boston, it is expected that you will take courses each semester or withdraw for the semester and then re-activate your matriculation.
Courses offered online and through University College
(funded by EPS grant) do NOT keep you matriculated.
What do I need to apply to a degree program?
1.
Complete the application available at: http://www.umb.edu/admissions/ug/transfer/apply/ as soon as possible, at least by July 1 st
.
2.
Obtain official copies of transcripts for all courses completed at other colleges and universities sent directly from the registrars' offices at these institutions to the UMass Boston’s Office of
Undergraduate Admissions.
3.
Pay application fee of $60 or make an appointment to attend Transfer days, typically in
May/June.
How long will it take me to graduate?
If you are transferring in 60 credits, and you take 6 courses a year it will take 3 years plus one more semester of 2 courses.
If you take one course a semester, fall, spring and summer it would take 6 years to graduate.

What funding is available to support me in earning a degree and how do I access it?
EPS funded courses Financial Aid ECE Scholarship
These are early childhood courses to help bridge students into college and other funding.
Typically student can access this funding for one or two semesters.
Complete the FAFSA at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ You will need to have a copy of your most recently completed federal tax form.
Each year in mid- April, the ECE
Scholarship applications become available. To qualify you must:
1.
Be matriculated
This financial aid form is needed to qualify for scholarships and loans.
2.
Work in an approved program
3.
Compete the FAFSA.
If there are other students attending college in your household, it may increase your financial aid.
To access your financial aid package, you must enroll in at least 9 credit hours (typically 3 courses)
This scholarship allows you to take up to six courses over one year. You can take 1, 2, or 3 courses a semester. This can be divided: 2 in the fall, 2 in the spring and 2 in the summer, or you can take 3 fall and 3 spring, or just one fall and one spring.
You are asked to first access other scholarship money, but you do not have to access student loans.
How many courses can I manage?
Only you can assess the time you have to commit to your course work! Be sure to be realistic about your time commitments for work, family and commuting. One suggestion is to try one course, if you feel you can handle more add a second the next semester and build slowly.
One, 3 credit course
Time in class each week 3 hours
Two, 3 credit courses
6 hours
Three, 3 credit courses
9 hours
Preparation for class:
Readings
Assignments
6 hours 12 hours 18 hours
Total time for college 9 hours or more/week 18 hours or more/week 27 hours or more/week

In addition to early childhood courses what else will I need to take?
UMass Boston has “General Education Requirements;” these are approximately 45 credits of courses that are required for all UMass graduates. Once you are matriculated you will be able to see on WISER
(the computer system) how your transfer credit applied to these requirements and what you still need to take. It is important to work with Jennifer Thompson in Advising as she knows how other EECIS students have successfully completed these requirements.
What is writing proficiency?
See the UMB website: http://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/undergraduate_studies/writing_proficiency/
This can be completed by taking the writing proficiency exam or creating a writing portfolio.
What is quantitative reasoning?
See the UMB website: http://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/undergraduate_studies/general_education_requirements/quan titative_reasoning/
This requirement can be completed in a number of ways, as outlined on the website.