About: 

A variety of approaches is introduced to invention, dialogue, listening, and teamwork. Certificate students learn to confront ambiguous and complex problems, reflect deeply and bring insights to the surface, transform the giving of feedback into a mutual learning experience, build relationships of trust and enthusiastic acceptance of diverse perspectives, articulate a practical vision, and collaborate in bringing it to fruition.

Students take two core courses, three elective courses, and complete an exit performance as part of one of the courses taken. Critical and Creative Thinking Masters students, graduate students from other programs, advanced undergraduates, and special students are welcome to enroll in individual courses.

Program Highlights:

  • First - Rate Faculty
  • Commitment to the Student Learning
  • Focus on change in education, work, social movements, science, and creative arts.

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

Sample a Course

Click here for more information on the Critical and Creative Thinking Certificate.

Tuition/Fees: 

Please see Fee Schedule below.

Type of Fee Amount
Fee per credit $575
Returned Check Fee per semester** $28
Total for course*** $1725 (575 x 3 credits = 1725)

Click here to browse our course listings.

*applicable when you register after deadline; non-refundable unless course has been cancelled

** applicable when checks returned unpaid

*** Courses can vary from one to six credits; this total represents a standard 3 credit course

Accreditation: 

The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

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 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 - United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Admissions: 

Officially, students applying to the Critical and Creative Thinking Certificate Program must meet the same admissions criteria (described below) as students entering the Master's program. In practice, a shorter statement of interest and intent and only two letters of recommendation suffice for a certificate applicant.

Admission is competitive - Apply early! Here's how…

1.  Read application form instructions carefully and complete application form. Click here for the application.

2 Two letters are required from people who have worked closely with you and who have direct knowledge of your abilities. The people you ask to recommend you should be able to comment in detail about your academic strengths, work experience, or life experience.

3. In your personal statement, explain your intellectual, artistic, professional or personal reasons for wanting to pursue a degree in Critical and Creative Thinking in at least 1200 words. Your essay should include specific accounts of your past work and current direction. You should provide a detailed discussion of your specific interests and priorities as a student (or scholar, teacher, artist, computer wizard, philosophizer); the projects you have completed in the past; the problems and topics you want to focus on in future study; and how and why you believe the CCT program can help you accomplish your goals. The CCT Admissions Committee will read your essay as a demonstration of how you write and how you think about issues, as well as determine if your interests and goals match those of the Program.

4. Request official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. The CCT Program looks for a generally distinguished undergraduate transcript with an average of at least 3.0 in advanced undergraduate work. For students with a strong record of accomplishment in other areas, the CCT Admissions committee will recommend provisional admission with the stipulation that the student completes two courses in the program with a course grade of B+ or better. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the Program, we do not require that you come from any specific program of study.

5.  All hardcopy materials, including paper transcripts (if electronic ones are not available), should be mailed to our document processing partner below.

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Plan of Study: 

The Critical and Creative Thinking Certificate may be earned by taking courses face-to-face as well as online.

The certificate requires the completion of 15 credits (typically 5 courses).

Students must take the following two foundation courses:

CRCRTH 601, Critical Thinking

CRCRTH 602, Creative Thinking

Students must also complete three electives, chosen from all other courses according to the student's area of interest.

Financial Aid: 

Availability of financial aid varies depending on matriculation and course status. Please check with your program manager or advisor to determine your eligibility. Generally, if you are matriculated in a degree program and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, you may qualify for financial aid. Please review our Financial Aid Checklist below.

  1. Fill out the FAFSA form at https://studentaid.gov. It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Boston school code number 002222.
  2. For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu

Contact:

For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu.

More Program Details
Campus: 
UMass Boston
Contact: 
Jeremy Szteiter
Phone: 
617.287.7636
Level: 
Graduate
Type: 
Certificate
Credits: 
15
Tuition Per Credit: 

$575

Format: 
Online
Subject: 
Fine Arts, Design and Communications
Liberal Arts and Humanities

Inquire Now