Programs

Degrees for the most important workers in the world.

UMass UWW respects your work, and is committed to helping you finish your bachelor's degree 100% online with a focus in early care and education.

Whether you are a seasoned early childhood educator or new to the field, we will help you develop the knowledge and enhance the skills you need to open your own childcare center or advance your career within public or private childcare programs such as Head Start, YMCA, 4-H, scouting, and a variety of pre-schools and after-school programs.

Required to get a degree? Scholarships are available for early care and education. 

Head Start teachers will soon be required to have a bachelor’s degree in Early Care and Education or a related field.  We can help. Many early childhood educators in the state of Massachusetts are now required to have a bachelor’s degree as well. We can help with this too. And if you live and work as an early childhood educator in Massachusetts, scholarship money is available that will pay 100% of the cost of your early care and education degree through UMass UWW.

A great education. Credit for experience. Support you deserve.

For 40 years the UMass Amherst University Without Walls (UWW) has been helping adults just like you complete your first bachelor's degree at a world-class public university. At UMass UWW, you can design your own program of study in early care and education, earn up to 30 credits for the learning you've gained from your experience, and finish your degree 100% online without ever having to come to campus.

We understand the daily challenges you face balancing work, family and community responsibilities, and are committed to providing flexible options and outstanding one-on-one support from your first class through graduation.

Learn more about this program:
To receive more information and connect with the program manager, please click on the inquire now button to the right.

Sample a Course

Visit the UMass UWW website to learn more about our BA, Early Care and Education Concentrations.

As part of a public state university, UMass Amherst University Without Walls (UWW) is committed to providing you with a great education at an affordable cost. By awarding academic credit for life and work experience, UWW helps you accelerate your degree and save money.

Type of Fee	Amount
Fee per credit	$385 (some variation in cost per credit is possible)
Program Fee	$150 per fall and spring semesters
Registration Fee	$45 per semester (winter, spring, summer, fall)
Course Total	$1350 (approximately 385 x 3 credits {for a 3 credit course}, $45 registration fee and $150 program fee)

 Click here to browse our course listings.

The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Did you know?

University of Massachusetts has earned several awards for its distance learning programs, faculty and technology including:

• University of Massachusetts Lowell’s B.S. in Information Technology Ranked Among Top Affordable Online IT Degrees by Get Educated in 2011
  
• UMass Ranked Among Top 10 Best Colleges in Online Education in Communication & Public Relations Degrees, 2011 by The Best Colleges
  
• UMass Ranked 2nd Among Top 10 Online Bachelor of Business Administration Degrees, 2011 by The Best Colleges
  
• UMass ranks 19th highest-rated university in the world by the Times of London.
  
• UMass ranked 56th in the Times of London's Top 200
  
• UMassOnline, UMass Boston President's Special Achievement Award, Valerie C. Haven, Sloan-C 2010 Awards
  
• University of Massachusetts Ranked Among Top 28 Best Value in Online Education for Human Services & Psychology Professionals, 2009 by Get Educated
  
• Ranked Top 10 Online Degrees Colleges- September 2009 (Online Degree Reviews.com)
  
• UMassOnline Awarded Public Sector of the Year by Mass Technology Leadership Council , 2008
  
• Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program, UMass Lowell's Online Graduate Behavioral Intervention in Autism Program, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• 'Excellence in Online Teaching' Award, Dr. Jeannette E. Riley, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• 21st Century Best Practices Award, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
  
• Program of Excellence, University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)-Journalism Certificate
  
• Excellence in Faculty Development, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Programming, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Teaching, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• UMass Amherst Isenberg MBA, Top 10 national rankings, #4 Best Professors (2005, 2006, 2007 Princeton Review: Best Business Schools rankings)
  
• 4th in Primary Care Education, U.S. World Reports
  
• Excellence in Distance Teaching Education

It's easy to get started...

The UMass University Without Walls (UWW) seeks to admit adults who are determined to finish their bachelor's degrees and ready to work hard to complete a rigorous program of study.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

•    A minimum of 12 college credits
•    A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
•    You have not already earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university.

Admissions Deadlines

April 15 to start in September. 

October 1 to start in January.

Applying is simple.

We’re glad you found us and look forward to receiving your application.

Financial Aid Services at UMass Amherst is committed to helping you meet the cost of your college education. Most UMass UWW students receive financial aid. You may be eligible for grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, military benefits or employer reimbursement. Learn more about financial aid at UMass Amherst UWW.

Cost for Credits Awarded for Life and Work Experience

Credit for Experience - Because what you've done in life matters.



UMass UWW gives you the opportunity to:

• earn up to 30 academic credits for your life and work experience
• convert your professional and military training into academic credit. 

You've seen a lot. You know a lot.  You've done a lot. You may not have a college degree (yet), but we bet you could teach a course on life. At UMass UWW, we respect the life and work experience you bring into our program. We believe the experiences you have had, and the skills and wisdom you have gained over the years matter and are worthy of academic credit.  



Credit for life and work experience

As a UMass UWW student, you will be supported in writing a portfolio of essays about what you have learned through your life and work experiences. This portfolio is then evaluated for academic credit.  You will be eligible to receive up to 30 credits towards your degree. 

Credit for professional and military trainings

As a UMass UWW student you will have the opportunity to earn credit for your professional and military training and certifications. And the best part is there is no per-credit cost for the credits you earn this way which can mean huge savings for you- savings of time and money. 

Graduate in less time. Save money. 



By granting credit for experience, UMass UWW helps you accelerate your degree and saves you money. For example, let's say you earned 15 credits for experience. That's 5 courses you don't have to take at 1/5 the cost.  Cost of credits awarded for life and work experience

Up to 15 credits	$1,185
16-18 credits	$1,485
19-21 credits	$1,785
22-25 credits	$2,085
26-29 credits	$2,385
30 credits	$2,585
Special transcript evaluation fee	$75 if applicable to convert professional and military trainings to academic credit.

As you can see, through granting credit for experience, we're steadfast in our commitment to helping you graduate as quickly and affordably as possible with a great education from a world class university.