Application Procedures


CCT offers a 30-credit Master of Arts degree and a 15-credit Graduate Certificate. Officially, students applying to the 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.

Information and application forms may be obtained on line or from the Office of Graduate Admissions (617) 287-6401. The office is located in the Quinn Administration Building, 2nd floor, Room 81, at the Harbor Campus, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, Massachusetts 02125.

The application form can be completed on-line (follow links), but supporting application materials must be submitted to the Graduate Admission Office with a fee of $40 for in-state residents and $50 for out-of-state and international residents. Graduate Admissions microfilms the student's application material when it arrives and sends to the Program. The Program is allowed to sign the official acceptance form only when the application is nearly complete, that is, when transcripts, most of the letters of recommendation, and the statement of intent have been submitted. Applicants to the Program are advised to check with Graduate Admissions to make sure that all the needed documents have arrived and the file is complete. (This can also be done online at http://www.umassp.edu/ss/admiss/bosgrad/logon.html using a personal code mailed to you by the Admissions office.) Do not send any admissions materials to the Critical and Creative Thinking Program. However, please feel free to call the Critical and Creative Thinking Program administrative assistant (617-287-6520) for any information you might have regarding specific program application procedures, for information interviews, and to schedule meetings with the Faculty Advisor for the Program.

Applications received by the official deadlines of Nov. 1 and April 1 will reviewed by the CCT Admissions Committee and decisions made by Nov. 15 and April 15. Late applicants are welcome and will be reviewed as soon as they are received, but admission will be subject to existing CCT students having priority in registration for CCT courses. (Students are welcome to take up to 2 courses as non-matriculated students while they are waiting to be admitted.) The University admits students regardless of sex, race, cultural background, religion, ethnic group, or disabled status.

1. Undergraduate Transcripts


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.

2. Letters of Recommendation


Three 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. Statement of Interest and Intent


The Program's admissions requirements call for an essay of at least 1200 words in which you explain your intellectual, artistic, professional or personal reasons for wanting to pursue a degree in Critical and Creative Thinking. 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. Test Scores


GRE scores are optional to apply for our program. Foreign students, please check with Graduate Admissions and Records to inform you of your required tests.

Transfer of Courses


With the approval of the Graduate Program Director, the University allows graduate students to transfer up to six credits of graduate work into the Program. These credits may be from courses taken as a Special Student, from a Graduate Program in another University, or from a Graduate Program at UMass Boston. Please speak to the Faculty Advisor about the transfer guidelines. If the Advisor approves your transfer, s/he will submit the proper paperwork to Graduate Admissions and Records.

5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Required from students from countries where English is nt the primary language

6. Declaration and Certification of Finances

Required from all International Students before an I-20 is issued, with which the student applies for a student visa. Please direct questions about this requirement directly to the Graduate Admissions Office (617-287-6406).

Course Waivers


If you bring an unusually strong background in a particular subject area and have written documentation to verify this, it may be appropriate to have a course waived and have another course substituted in its place in your program. If you wish to apply to have a course waived, write a clear letter of request to the Faculty Advisor, attaching copies of the appropriate documentation and identifying the course you wish to substitute. Allow at least one month for such requests to be processed and responded to.

Non-Degree Students

(a.k.a. Special students, Non-matriculated students)

Well-qualified special students may enroll in CCT courses on a space available basis. Special student admission is available to qualified non-degree candidates who have a particular reason to enroll in a CCT course. Special students can enroll in courses during the registration period set aside by the University. Please call the CCT Office for procedure, dates, and fees. If through your experience as a special student you decide to apply to the Program, please do so before the completion of your second course so that all 6 credits can be counted toward your degree.

updated: 28 Dec-02