Current Students

Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) Information

Curriculum practical training (CPT) is available for students during their program and after completion of a whole academic year. Although CPT could be paid and is an off-campus employment, students receive credits for CPT and it should be required by your program. Please read the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) website section on CPT and contact them with any questions you might have.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Information

Optional practical training (OPT) is an opportunity for graduates to work in the field of their study. Your degree allows you to be employed while still in student status for 12 months. OPT requires precision with paperwork and timing so please be sure to contact the ISSO well in advance with any questions you might have. Make sure to study the OPT section of the ISSO website.

Our academic calendar features deadlines to file for graduation. Be sure to plan in advance. Remember to consider applying for OPT well in advance as this process is time-consuming. Contact the ISSO with any questions you might have.

As a graduate student, you can consider adding an edge to your future degree. MBA students can choose from the list of our specializations. Also, you can graduate with a dual degree. Please contact your academic advisor to discuss this option.

Somewhere along the way you might realize that you are more drawn to a different field of study. As long as that is absolutely natural, try to catch this early on and contact your academic advisor to discuss your options. Remember: there are always options.

STEM degrees (Science Technology Engineering Math) are in high demand on the market. For an international student, a STEM degree also means that your OPT could be 3 years instead of one.

Here is the list of STEM degrees offered by the College of Management:

• Master of Science in Finance (Investment Management & Quantitative Finance Track)
• Master of Science in Business Analytics
• Master of Science in Information Technology

As an international student, you are eligible to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during school year. These are some of the resources to explore:

• Finding a Graduate Assistantship
• Graduate Teaching Program
• Student Employment

Many students are eligible to waive or substitute courses. If the WISER system produces an error, you will need to submit the registration request form and your academic advisor will enroll you in courses and send a confirmation email.

• Industry Research Practicum (IRP) course
• Master Thesis Option (IRP course leads to this)
• Bloomberg Certified
• Student Managed Fund/Asset Management Practicum course
• Study Abroad
  • India during winter break
  • China during summer break
• Networking
  • Faculty
  • Fellow peers/classmates
  • Other graduate students on the campus
  • Graduate Student Assembly

Students in the FT/PT MBA program can choose from 12 optional MBA specializations. Specializations are completed by taking a group of designated electives as part of the general MBA elective requirement.

UMass Boston’s graduate business certificates are a great way to add skills to your resume with as little as one year’s commitment. You can take them part-time or full-time, and in some cases, entirely online. Course credit from a certificate will count toward an MBA or MS degree should you choose to continue on. Graduate business certificates do not require the GMAT and if the student’s GPA is higher than 3.3 they are eligible to waive the GMAT requirement upon entering the MBA and MS programs.

Currently the WISER system degree audit feature is not applicable to graduate students. Submit a request to receive a customized degree audit. Your academic advisor will follow up; please allow two business days.

All graduating students must declare their intent to graduate by applying online through WISER.

Students interested in enhancing multiple skill sets may be enrolled in two programs i.e. MBS/MSF. Students will be enrolled in two degrees and receive two diplomas. Domestic students may be enrolled in two degrees at the simultaneously. However, international students will need to complete the first program before they can apply to complete the second degree. All students are required to complete a minimum of six additional courses if the second degree is a master’s of science. For example, a student completes his/her MBA degree (12 courses) and then would like to complete the MSF degree. If many of the MSF requirements have been completed while studying the MBA, she would still be required to complete 6 additional courses.

Get information about accelerated bachelor's/master's programs.

An independent study is an option for students to work 1-on-1 with a professor over the course of a semester to complete one of their 3-credit elective requirements, according to a plan that is agreed upon by the student and the professor. Students may participate in a maximum of two independent studies while completing their degree. An independent study cannot take the place of a course offered by the College of Management. It is a good idea to identify more than one professor with whom you would like to work, in case certain professors are not available. Be sure to complete the Independent Study Agreement Form.

Each degree-seeking graduate student must maintain continuous registration. If in any semester, for any reason a student will not enroll in courses he/she may maintain continuous registration by registering for the program fee (CAS 600). Discuss your options with your academic advisor. Students that are not in continuous enrollment will be subject to applying for readmission to the program.

The grade INC is reported only where a portion of the assigned or required classwork, or the final examination, has not been completed because of serious illness, extreme personal circumstances, or scholarly reasons at the request of the instructor. Permission of the instructor must be obtained and the Incomplete Contract form must be completed by the faculty member. Further details are available through the Registrar’s Office.

To view the grading system and learn how to calculate your GPA refer to the Registrar’s Office.

The lowest grade assigned at the graduate level is a letter grade of C.

The Course Pass/Fail Option does not apply to graduate students.

Students have the option to withdraw from a course, refer to the Registrar’s Office for further detail.

Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be issued a diploma upon completion of fulfilling degree course requirements

Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 in a given semester are placed on academic probation. Consecutive semesters with a GPA below 3.0 may result in academic dismissal from the program.

If you’re a current UMass Boston student, this is where you’ll find information on career planning, as well as internships and co-ops for that all-important work experience. Contact William Farrick, Career Specialist, College of Management.

The University of Massachusetts Boston offers a series of free Tech Training Workshops on campus.