Why Online? And Why UMassOnline?

UMassOnline has been chosen by thousands of worldwide learners because of its rich tradition and quality education. Each one of these learners has their own unique story to tell about why they chose to get their degree or certificate online. Here are just a few....

UMassOnline is also best known for the faculty who teach online. They are a stellar group of professionals who are the same people who teach on campus and have set the bar in quality education. Each has embraced distance learning and offers a unique perspective on teaching over the web in addition to the classroom. We welcome you to scroll through a sample of our faculty testimonials to hear what they have to say about teaching online.

UMOL Student Quotes
	Bill Sullivan, Amherst RN to BS Program "The advantage of having the bachelor's degree is that it gives you credibility for what you are doing. It allows you into positions that you might not necessarily be able to have applied for. I worked full time while I completed the program and it was a challenge, but it was manageable. You get a positive email from a faculty member and suddenly what seemed to be impossible becomes possible."
	Christine Shea, Amherst Business Studies Focus Program "With my full-time career that requires a lot of traveling, continuing my education online was the perfect solution for my needs. It provides me with a flexible learning environment while interacting with high quality teaching professionals. "
	Glen Louis Loveland, Lowell Liberal Arts Program "UMassOnline was truly one of the best investments I could have made. The strength of the program and the outstanding faculty have helped me improve my communication skills and innovative thinking, and they have instilled in me a desire to continue to learn."
	Mary Gagliastro, Amherst MBA Program "UMassOnline offers me the option of both online and in-person classes located at satellite locations. The online option works well because it doesn't require you to be in a particular place at a particular time each week, so there is more flexibility. It allows you to interact with people from around the globe without leaving your home. It affords you the opportunity to work within your own schedule to do class assignments. It's definitely a different way of learning and takes a little time to get used to, but you may be surprised at how connected you do feel even from a distance."
	Venu Iyer, Amherst MBA Program "The Online curriculum that UMass offered was flexible and helped me strike the right work/school/personal life balance. I was amazed how the distance learning courses not only encapsulated all the subjects and materials that an on-campus curriculum would offer but in addition offered much more flexibility and opportunity to study in a virtual way--which is the growing phenomenon in today's economic environment. It is also in one way a positive contribution towards a greener environment."
	Kenneth Asahan, Amherst Online Part-Time MBA Program "While deployed to Kuwait, I have found the UMass Isenberg Online Professional MBA Program to be very flexible in accommodating my schedule, especially when I am 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. There is no need to log in at a specific day or time, which makes it very convenient. Professors are very helpful and provide professional discussions and assistance via threaded discussions on the course website, or through email. During my deployment to the Middle East, I have been able to take courses to further both my military and civilian career. "
	Larissa Daigel, Amherst Campus "UMassOnline was a terrific way to finish the bachelor's degree I started almost 30 years ago. I was convinced that being an only-parent with a full-time job meant that going back to school was something I'd have to wait years for."
	Daniel Robert , Amherst BBA Program "Online learning is an excellent fit for me. It provides a better program than a traditional experience w/ significantly more convenience."
	Candace Bracken, Boston RN to BS Program "The opportunity to participate in online education has allowed me to work, go to school and most importantly be a mom. The support of my instructors has been wonderful and allowed me to develop my vocational educational curriculum."
	Janet Joseph, Boston Instructional Design Program "What I like most about the Instructional Design program is the flexibility the program offers to select courses of importance to me. I was able to select online courses that fit my needs and my work life."
	Tiffany Koh, Amherst HTM Program "Pursuing an online education has made me more independent and disciplined, ensuring that work and school deadlines are met. The flexibility has also allowed me to plan my work schedule and allocate time for my classes. I am more motivated to participate in the activities and discussions."
	Gwen Barmes, Dartmouth BIS Program "I am a student at UMass Dartmouth in the Bachelor of Information Science degree program. I had to take off a semester due to health reasons. I was able to take courses online, which allowed me to stay on track even if I couldn't come to campus."
	Thomas Mariano, Lowell M.Ed Program "The online program allows me to focus on what I am learning instead of worrying about missing a class due to traffic jams. It's an excellent fit for me and I have no doubt that learning online is as good, or even better than a traditional experience with significantly less inconvenience."
	Cheryl Gray, Lowell IT Degree Program "I have taken classes in writing, programming, math, history, psychology and, economics. I've also taken web and computer graphic courses - all online. I'm a full-time "stay-at-home" mom and the flexibility of the program fits well with my schedule."
	Robert Stark, Amherst MBA Program "I travel regularly and it can be a real problem if you miss a (face-to-face) class. That's not the case with UMass Amherst's online MBA. I like the flexibility. I can do my work Monday nights, over the weekend, or at lunch. Anytime."
	Victor Veira, Amherst MBA Program "I am convinced I learned significantly more in significantly less time through the online system and the professors good use of it. Now, instead of racing out of the classroom to make it to a grad class across town, I can interact with classmates and manage my assignments from home or anywhere."
	Kevin Karpowicz MD FAAP, Amherst MPH Program "When I first began the online MPH program, I was unclear as to where it was going to take me and what I expected. I am now a much more effective community partner with multiple agencies in my community. I have been able to develop a new paradigm of integrating public health and the primary health care of children. I could have continued simply providing basic health care in my office and retired. The MPH experience has given me the ability to go beyond the confines of the office into uncharted territory. It is exciting and I know will lead to significant improvement in the health of children."

UMOL Faculty Quotes
Richard Siegal, Lowell Campus "I have found online teaching to be very convenient for me and my students because it allows the freedom to work according to our own schedules. But especially important to me as an educator, is the power of on-line discussions. Unlike classrooms, everyone gets to participate and the participation is often better informed by the ability to think through a response, and students can carry on a thread of discussion without worrying about the clock or shutting other students out."
Art Clifford, Amherst Journalism Program "Distance learning appeals to a broad spectrum of students -- young, old, disabled, geographically disadvantaged, and late starters. The experience is intensely personal as students create online personas and share their enthusiasm, ideas and goals. It's an exciting opportunity that every teacher should be lucky enough to experience."
Jeannette E. Riley, Dartmouth Women's Studies "Learning is very much about dialogue and the ongoing development of an active discursive community. It fosters student discussion and requires students to become integrally involved with the learning process. Students post their work and learn from one another as they use their own writings as texts in the class. Students learn to reflect upon their work, which in turn fosters lifelong learning skills that helps them find their voices inside and outside the classroom. "
Jim Theroux, Amherst Campus "Our live online case study was the first of its type in the world. Without the web it couldn't have been done."
Robert Weiner, Boston International Relations "I have taught international relations online for the past four years, and it has been an amazing experience for both me and my students. I have been teaching international relations for 40 years, and doing it online has reenergized my approach to and perspective of world politics. With a touch of their fingertips, my students can peruse the world's media, watch a meeting of the UN Security Council, or participate in the experimental online war studies program at King's College London. Teaching international relations online has opened up opportunities for my students which never existed before."