Graduate Certificate in Critical and Creative Thinking
(including the Science in a Changing World track)
Students seeking the certificate take a total of fifteen credits,
consisting of two core or foundation courses and three other
elective courses (chosen after consultation with their faculty
advisor and with the approval of the Program Director), and complete
an exit performance as part of one of the courses taken.
The Certificate may be taken in the regular CCT track, for which the
required core courses are CrCrTh 601 and CrCrTh 602, or in the Science in a Changing World (SICW) track,
The objective of the regular track is to provide a coherent and
substantial course of study resulting in an understanding of the
skills needed in teaching, training, or designing curriculum for
critical and creative thinking and an enhanced ability to use and
communicate these skills in professional practice. A special
emphasis on Creative Thinking at Work
is possible.
The objective of the SICW track is to prepare students to move
across the persistent divide between sciences and humanities, to
participate in questioning and shaping the direction of science and
society, and to teach and engage others to participate in this
important endeavor.
Students may enter the Certificate program on its own or as an
addition to studies for another UMass Boston graduate degree.
Students entering the Certificate program on its own must meet the
same admissions criteria as students entering the Master's program, except their
statement of intent can be shorter and one fewer letter of
recommendation will be acceptable.
Students who have matriculated into another UMB graduate program may
apply to add the CCT Certificate program by sending the Additional Program form to the CCT
coordinator together with a note regarding why you are interested in
the CCT Certificate and authorizing access to your original
applications materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation,
personal statement, etc.). The CCT coordinator reviews (or the
admissions committee if the coordinator has any questions about the
request) and decides as soon as possible (usually within two weeks
of receipt).
Credits from a UMass Boston graduate program may also count for the
Certificate (subject to the usual condition for transfer credits
that the grade must be B or higher). On-line sections are available for several
courses.
For more information, please contact the Program Office, email
cct@umb.edu.