UMass Boston

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• A minimum, cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work, though an exception may be made based on the holistic strength of the application
• A master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of recognized standing or an international equivalent at the time of enrollment
• Official transcripts for all institutions where you have earned more than 6 credits: Applicants who completed the majority of their undergraduate coursework outside of the United States are typically required to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English proficiency test score
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of Purpose
• Two (2) letters of recommendation
• Two (2) writing samples

Deadlines: February 1 for fall

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu. Please refer to Graduate Student Financial Aid for more information on financial aid.

Core Required Courses (15 Credits)

• GISD 601 - Current and Historical Perspectives on Global Inclusion and Social Development 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 605 - International Responses to Social Inclusion 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 606 - Research and Evaluation in Diverse Settings: Methods and Implications 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 801 - Innovations Seminar 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 802 - Social Innovations in Domestic Settings Seminar 3 Credit(s)

Core Electives (9 Credits)

Complete three from below.

• GISD 608 - Ethics and Professionalism in Global Inclusion and Social Development 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 609 - Justice: A Global Transdisciplinary Framework for Culture and Innovation 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 610 - Strategies for Systemic Change 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 611 - Managing Change: Supporting Communities and Embracing Cultures 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 615 - State, Sovereignty and Governance for Inclusion and Social Development 3 Credit(s)
• GISD 616 - Population Needs and Global Practice 3 Credit(s)

Advanced Electives (12 Credits)

Complete four electives chosen in consultation with the graduate program director. Two electives must be research courses.

Research Seminars (6 Credits)

• GISD 898 - Transdisciplinary Research to Practice Group 3 Credit(s) - complete two semesters

Dissertation Seminars (12 Credits)

• GISD 899 - Dissertation Research Seminar 6 Credit(s) - complete two semesters

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Post-Master's Track

Complete 54 credits from 16 courses including five required core courses, three elective core courses, four advanced electives, two research seminars, and two dissertation seminars.

Doctoral candidacy: Successful completion of a written and oral comprehensive examination of content related to the core courses in the program.
Dissertation: Compose and defend a dissertation based on original research
Second language proficiency: Each PhD student must achieve a certain level of proficiency in a language other than their native language. American Sign Language (ASL) can be used as a second language.

GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required from all courses applied toward the program.
Residency: No more than six credits of graduate coursework from another institution may be applied toward the program. Transfer courses must have a grade of B or higher and be approved by the graduate program director.
Statute of limitations: Eight years.

Graduate Program Director Valerie Karr
valerie.karr [at] umb.edu
(617) 287-4336