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Student Advising and Resources
CLA students with a declared major
CLA Advising office provides professional advising services to declared Liberal Arts majors. We are available to all CLA declared students, to support and assist in degree and education planning. We encourage students to meet with their faculty advisors as well, for advice on major coursework and to benefit from mentoring in their specific fields.
CLA students in CLA First! or CLA SophoMORE programs
As a current or former member of CLA First!, we welcome you to reach out to us for any advising needs throughout your time at UMass Boston.
CLA First! Need advising? - Google Docs
CLA students with undeclared majors
All CLA students who haven’t yet declared a major in the college are advised in the Academic & Career Engagement and Success (ACES) Center; Campus Center, 1300, aces@umb.edu 617.287.5500
View ACES Drop-In Advising, Appointment information, and more!
CLA students in the Student Success Scholars program (SSSP)
If your advisor is in the Student Support Services, please contact their office directly for advising. Their office is located in the Campus Center, 1st Floor, Room 1100.
Undergraduate Research Portfolio Program
The exploration and invention of new ideas is at the heart of the university. The Undergraduate Research Portfolio encourages you to participate in research—and become part of this analytical and creative activity at UMass Boston. The Undergraduate Research Portfolio gives you the opportunity for high quality faculty/student intellectual exchange by helping you to learn about and participate in research in your field.
The Undergraduate Research Portfolio is also a flexible way to participate in research; you use your major’s coursework and research opportunities to craft a sequence of research experiences that works for you. The Undergraduate Research Portfolio is noted on your transcript and can offer you advantages on the job market and in the graduate school application process. The portfolio can be completed in one year or up to three years. Please see the Undergraduate Research Portfolio Flyer for more information on the requirements for completion. Upon completing the program, you will submit the Undergraduate Research Portfolio Form for final approval.
To schedule an orientation please contact Rafael.Jaen@umb.edu
Dean's List
Dean's List achievement is noted on an undergraduate student's transcript when they have achieved a certain minimum grade point average (GPA) in a given semester.
Each college has its own standard:
College of Liberal Arts:
- At least 9 graded credits with a 3.50 GPA or higher and no incompletes. Courses with a grade of "P" do not count towards the 9 graded credits.
Graduating with Honors
The University bestows three separate honors designations for scholastic excellence reflected in the cumulative average:
Summa cum laude- Students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or above
Magna cum laude- Students must maintain a GPA of 3.50 to 3.74 inclusive
Cum laude- Students must maintain a GPA of 3.30 to 3.49 inclusive
Accelerated Masters Programs (AMP)
Did you know UMass Boston offers 18 accelerated master’s program (AMP) degree choices exclusively for UMass Boston undergraduates?
- Save money and time with the accelerated master’s program (AMP)
- Earn a master’s degree in as little as one additional year at UMass Boston
- Apply in your junior year (earlier for Honors College) and start taking graduate-level courses to count as undergrad electives.
- Make more money master's degree holders typically find higher-paying jobs, faster.
Museum Partnerships
Boston is home to a number of world-class museums. We encourage UMass Boston students to take full advantage of these institutions, and to use the privileged access that our students enjoy. Please see the Museum Partnerships page for a list of museums that offer benefits to UMass Boston students.
Student Writing Journal "Undercurrents"
More information can be found on Student Writing Journal "Undercurrents" page.
The McNair Program
The McNair Program at UMass Boston has been funded for the next five years. The new application includes STEM students and faculty from CLA. The Mission of the Ronald E. McNair Program is designed to provide opportunities for undergraduates from disadvantaged backgrounds- especially from underrepresented academic groups- to excel at the undergraduate level and progress toward doctoral degrees to undertake careers in college and university teaching. Participants prepare for graduate school by attending seminars, advising sessions, and completion of a faculty-mentored research project. Benefits include travel opportunities, a research stipend, partial tuition assistance, and intensive during the graduate school application process. The McNair Program at UMass Boston has been funded continuously by the U.S. Dept of Education for over thirty years with thirty-four of its McNair Scholars going on to receive PhDs at universities. Please let us know if you know of any talented students who might fit the requirements of the program and we will contact them about opportunities in education and research.
In addition, if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for McNair Scholar please let us know. We try to connect scholars with faculty mentors for training in research opportunities in their research specialties. We assist research investigations by providing support for necessary laboratory supplies needed for research investigations. Please, let us know if you have any questions about the program or selection of students as McNair Scholars.