Tips
Learn everything you need to know about the GMAT exam by registering at mba.com, the official GMAT website.
UMass Amherst has a dedicated Veteran Services Office to assist you with your military benefits and available tuition assistance.
You can obtain a UMass Distance Learning ID card to help verify that you are a current student.
As an online student, you have special privileges at the UMass Amherst Library. You can access articles and other materials online, you can speak with a subject specialist librarian and you can order print materials delivered to your home.
You do not need to have prior business education to be admitted.
If you're not sure which course to take, review this list of
suggested first courses.
If you’ve taken MBA classes with another program, you may be eligible to transfer credits or waiver classes. Find out more.
We now accept your GRE scores instead of the GMAT. Find out how your GRE score compares to a GMAT result.
You can take two classes before you apply, or while you wait for your application to be processed.
We offer core courses and electives throughout the year at our satellite campuses in Holyoke, Shrewsbury and Boston.
Tricks
How do I get access to SPIRE, UMail and online library resources?
You need to activate your Student OIT Account to get access to SPIRE, UMail, and Online library resources.
How do I enroll in a summer or winter class?
To enroll in a summer or winter class, you must request a CPE Enrollment Appointment in Spire.
1. Login to Spire
2. Create your Summer Enrollment Appointment:
- Main Menu > Enrollment > CPE Enrollment Appointment
- Choose your semester
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page
- Click "REQUEST CPE ENROLLMENT APPOINTMENT"
You are now ready to add classes.
What should I expect after I’ve enrolled in my first course prior to being formally accepted to the program?
After your enrollment request has been processed and you’ve been added to the course, you will receive an email to your Non-UMass email address with instructions to activate your OIT Accounts for UMail (UMass email) and SPIRE (online student information system) . Once this email is sent to you, all future university correspondences will be sent to your UMail email address. Check this email regularly for updates and notices from UMass.
Who should write my professional recommendations?
Your professional recommendations should be written by direct supervisors (current and past), or clients who are familiar with your work.
What should I include in my personal statement? How long should it be?
Your personal statement should be one to two pages in length, and include information about your past and current academic and professional history, your future goals and reasons for pursuing a MBA, and other pertinent details that will help us evaluate you as a candidate.
My transcript is not in English. What do I do?
If your transcript is not in English, you must send us a certified translation of your official transcript from every non-U.S. undergrad and graduate school attended. Notarized and true attested copies of original academic documents are also accepted.
GMAT school code and waiver details.
Isenberg-UMass Amherst school code: 3917
If you have a Master’s degree from a US accredited institution with a 3.5 GPA and 5 years of work history, you do not need to take the GMAT or GRE exam.
Waivers may also apply for those with J.D., M.D., and PhD. degrees.
What happens if I do not enroll in a class and forget to register for Continuous Enrollment?
If you do not enroll in a minimum of one course in the spring and fall semesters by the add/drop deadline OR do not apply for a Continuous Enrollment waiver, you will be withdrawn from the University for “failure to enroll.” Should this happen and you wish to be readmitted, you must contact the Graduate Programs Office, pay the program fees and a readmit fee. Readmission is not guaranteed.
Am I eligible for tuition remission?
Full-time state employees, their spouses and unmarried dependent children (through age 25) who meet eligibility and admission requirements will receive 50% tuition remission for online courses.
How will I receive my tuition bill?
You will be billed directly by the University Bursar's Office. Billing information will be sent to your UMass email (UMail) account. Paper bills will not be generated. The bill can be viewed from a link within SPIRE and paid directly online, or it can be downloaded and mailed with a check. If your employer is paying for your tuition, you may also use Agency or Corporate Billing.
What course materials, such as textbooks, are required for my course?
Once you have been enrolled in a course and have access to SPIRE, you can find out what course materials will be required by looking at your course schedule in SPIRE.
Can I preview my classes before they begin?
Yes! One week prior to the official start date of each course, you can preview the course to familiarize yourself with the course syllabus, get details about course materials, and introduce yourself to the professor and fellow students. Go to
UMass Online to login to your class.
I have an area of interest I want to explore in greater detail. Is it possible to earn credit towards my MBA while I work independently?
Yes! Look into our Independent Study option.
Is the tuition the same for out-of-state students?
Yes, tuition is the same regardless of state or even country.
How do I access my online class for the first time?
To access your online class for the first time, check your UMail account for an email that contains your username and password details. If you enrolled in the course more than one week ago and still do not have access, please contact us. Go to UMass Online to login to your class.
I am enrolling in my last class before I graduate. Is there a form I need to fill out?
Congratulations on reaching your goal of completing your MBA! If you are enrolling in your last class this semester, you must complete the Degree Eligibility Form and submit it to the Isenberg Graduate Office for review.
Deadlines
February Degree* - December 1
May Degree - April 1
September Degree - August 15
*Students completing all required courses in the Fall or Winter semesters are anticipated February graduates.
How to Submit:
Please complete and submit the form via email or fax to (413) 577-2234.
Note:
- Once your Degree Eligibility Form has been processed by the Graduate Office, details about commencement will be mailed to your current address (listed in Spire).
How do I register for classes?
Find all the information you need to sign up for classes in our Courses: Browse & Enroll section.
Do I have to send a transcript with my application? Where do I sent it?
You must send the Graduate Admissions Office one official copy of your transcript from every U.S. undergrad and graduate school where you earned six credits or more. The transcript can be sent electronically or by mail.
Electronic transcripts
Electronic transcripts from US schools can be sent by the originating school to gradadm@grad.umass.edu
Mail transcripts to:
Graduate Admissions Office
530 Goodell Building
University of Massachusetts
140 Hicks Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9333
Note: For foreign graduates: notarized and true attested copies of original academic documents are accepted.
I need to take a semester off. What should I do?
If you are unable to take a class in a fall or spring semester, register for Continuous Enrollment and pay the program fee. Waivers may apply; contact your advisor for more details.
Can I participate in graduation ceremonies on campus?
YES! All eligible MBA students can participate in graduation ceremonies and receptions.
* You are eligible if you complete your MBA credits by May 2013.
* Students who graduated Sept 2012 or Feb 2013 are welcome.
* Dual-degree students are encouraged to join our celebrations.
MBA Reception
Date: Thursday, May 9th
Time: 6:30-8:30 PM
Location: Marriott Center, 11th floor, Lincoln Campus Center, UMass
Hosted by: Dean Mark Fuller, Associate Dean John D. Wells &
Associate Dean Alan G. Robinson.
RSVP: mba@isenberg.umass.edu indicating the expected number of guests.
MBA Oath Ceremony
Date: Thursday, May 9th
Time: 6:00-6:30 PM
Location: Cape Cod Lounge, Student Union, UMass Amherst
Learn more
Graduate Commencement Ceremonies
Form: Submit your Commencement Participation Form by April 22nd.
Date: Friday, May 10, 2013
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: The Mullins Center, UMass Amherst
Learn more
Contact us via email or call 413-545-5608 if you have any questions about graduation.
Congratulations MBA Graduates! This year's class will receive an Isenberg MBA Challenge Coin as a gift.
What is the MBA Oath Ceremony?
The MBA Oath is a voluntary pledge for graduating MBA students to "create value responsibly and ethically." The Oath is an MBA student initiated and driven movement which started in 2008. To date, over 5,000 signers at 300 institutions have signed the MBA Oath.
The Isenberg School of Management, along with Net Impact and a dedicated committee of student leaders, invite all interested graduating MBA students to sign the Oath and participate in a very brief Oath Ceremony prior to the MBA Graduation Reception.
Date: Thursday, May 9th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Reading Room, Lincoln Campus Center, UMass Amherst
Followed by: MBA Reception at 6:30 PM on the 11th Floor, Lincoln Campus Center
RSVP due by May 1st: Email William Luff at wluff@som.umass.edu with the expected number of guests. Space is limited.
For more information on the Oath, to read and pre-sign the Oath online, please visit www.mbaoath.org. You can sign the Oath online if you are unable to attend the Ceremony.
Questions can be directed to William Luff.
Current Student
