Application Procedures
CCT offers a 33*-credit Master of Arts degree and a 15-credit Graduate Certificate. Officially, students applying to the certificate program must meet the same admissions criteria (described below) as students entering the Master's program. In practice, a shorter statement of interest and intent and only two letters of recommendation suffice for a certificate applicant. Students matriculated into the Certificate Program may apply to switch to the M.A. Program, in which case their original application plus their progress in the Certificate are taken into account. If approved, all certificate credits count.
(*30 credits for students who matriculated before Fall '08.)
Information and application forms may be obtained on line or from the Office of Graduate Admissions (617)287-6400. The office is located in the Campus Center, floor UL (uppper level), Room 00320, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, Massachusetts 02125.
The application form can be completed ( on-line (follow links)), but supporting application materials must be submitted to the Graduate Admission Office with a fee of $60 for in-state residents and $100 for out-of-state and international residents. Graduate Admissions microfilms the student's application material when it arrives and sends to the Program. The Program is allowed to sign the official acceptance form only when the application is nearly complete, that is, when transcripts, most of the letters of recommendation, and the statement of intent have been submitted. Applicants to the Program are advised to check with Graduate Admissions to make sure that all the needed documents have arrived and the file is complete. (This can also be done online at https://www.umassadmin.net/isis/checkstatus/login.asp?inst=umbos&career=grad using a personal code mailed to you by the Admissions office.) Do not send any admissions materials to the Critical and Creative Thinking Program
unless specifically requested. However, please feel free to contact the Critical and Creative Thinking Program for any information you might have regarding specific program application procedures, for information interviews, and to schedule meetings with the Faculty Advisors for the Program.
Applications received by the official deadlines of Nov. 1 and April 1 will reviewed by the CCT Admissions Committee and decisions made by Nov. 15 and April 15. Late applicants are welcome and will be reviewed as soon as they are received, but admission will be subject to existing CCT students having priority in registration for CCT courses. (Students are welcome to take up to 2 courses as non-matriculated students while they are waiting to be admitted.) The University admits students regardless of sex, race, cultural background, religion, ethnic group, or disabled status.
1. Undergraduate Transcripts
The CCT Program looks for a generally distinguished undergraduate transcript with an average of at least 3.0 in advanced undergraduate work. For students with a strong record of accomplishment in other areas, the CCT Admissions committee will recommend provisional admission with the stipulation that the student completes two courses in the program with a course grade of B+ or better. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the Program, we do not require that you come from any specific program of study.
2. Letters of Recommendation
Three letters are required from people who have worked closely with you and who have direct knowledge of your abilities. The people you ask to recommend you should be able to comment in detail about your academic strengths, work experience, or life experience.
3. Statement of Interest and Intent
The Program's admissions requirements call for an essay of at least 1200 words
in which you explain your intellectual, artistic, professional or personal
reasons for wanting to pursue a degree in Critical and Creative Thinking. Your
essay should include specific accounts of your past work and current direction.
You should provide a detailed discussion of your specific interests and
priorities as a student (or scholar, teacher, artist, computer wizard,
philosophizer); the projects you have completed in the past; the problems and
topics you want to focus on in future study; and how and why you believe the
CCT program can help you accomplish your goals. The CCT Admissions Committee
will read your essay as a demonstration of how you write and how you think
about issues, as well as determine if your interests and goals match those of
the Program.
4. Test Scores
GRE scores are optional to apply for our program. Foreign students, please check with Graduate Admissions to inform you of your required tests.
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Required from students from countries where English is not the primary language
6. Declaration and Certification of Finances
Required from all International Students before an I-20 is issued, with which the student applies for a student visa. For current financial support requirements and other information, visit www.uac.umb.edu or direct questions about this requirement directly to the Graduate Admissions Office (617-287-6406).
7. Personal Disclosure Form
Personal Disclosure Form (new requirement from 2009)
Transfer of Courses
With the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator/Director, the University allows
graduate students to transfer up to 6 credits of graduate work from outside UMB and up to 6 credits of UMB courses taken before matriculating into the
Program. Grades must be a B or higher, and an official transcript is needed for
courses taken outside UMB. Students starting their coursework in the
summer do not matriculate until the fall but may submit a prematriculation
waiver so that all credits taken in the summer count. If the Program Coordinator approves your transfer, s/he will
submit the proper paperwork to Graduate Records.
Course Waivers
If you bring an unusually strong background in a particular subject area and
have written documentation to verify this, it may be appropriate to have a
course waived and have another course substituted in its place in your program.
If you wish to apply to have a course waived, write a clear letter of request
to the Program Coordinator, attaching copies of the appropriate documentation and
identifying the course you wish to substitute. Allow at least one month for
such requests to be processed and responded to.
Non-Degree Students
(a.k.a. Special students, Non-matriculated students)
Non-degree students who have an undergraduate degree may enroll in CCT
courses on a space available basis. Non-degree
students can enroll in courses during the registration period set aside by the
University ( procedures). If your experience as a non-degree student leads you to decide to apply to
the Program, please do so before you take a third course because only 6 credits
of UMB courses taken before matriculation can be counted toward your degree. Any
exceptions to this policy must be addressed by submitting a
Pre-Matriculation Waiver Form which must be approved
by the Program Coordinator.