General Degree Requirements

To qualify for university degrees, baccalaureate candidates are required to obtain a minimum of 2.000 (C) average in their total course of study; to present a minimum of 120 semester credits; to fulfill the minimum residency requirement; to satisfy the regulations and academic standards of the colleges that exercise jurisdiction over the degree for which they are matriculating; to complete all curriculum requirements specified by the college in which they are enrolled and department(s) in which they are majoring; and to complete the university general education/core curriculum requirements.

General Education and Core Curriculum Requirements
Residency Requirements
Residency Requirement for Active Duty Service Members, their Spouse and College-age Children
Dual Degree Program

General Education and Core Curriculum Requirements

For students who enrolled before September 2015:

General Education Requirements

For students who enrolled after September 2015:

Core Curriculum Requirements

Residency Requirements

Please note that all credits transferred may not be used to satisfy requirements in your program of study.

All candidates for baccalaureate degrees, must meet the residency requirement by completing a minimum of 60 semester credits at the University of Massachusetts Lowell except as indicated below. The following residency options apply, as specified, to candidates for baccalaureate degrees:

  1. Complete three years at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, earning not less than 90 credits, and an approved junior or senior year program at another accredited baccalaureate institution, earning not more than 30 semester credits or the number of semester credits specified for juniors or seniors by those prescribed courses of study that are listed in this catalogue. 
  2. Complete an associate’s degree at a Massachusetts community college under the provisions of the Mass Transfer agreement and complete the last two years at the university, earning not less than 60 credits at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. An exception to this residency requirement, not to exceed 15 credits, may be granted by the department chair of the major field.
  3. Complete up to the first two years in an accredited two-year institution, earning not more than 60 semester credits with grades of C- (1.700 on a 4.000 scale) or better, and the remaining years in the university, earning not less than 60 semester credits. An exception to this residency requirement, not to exceed 15 credits, may be granted by the department chair of the major field.
  4. Complete up to the first three years of a baccalaureate program in an accredited four-year institution, earning not more than 90 semester credits, with grades of C- (1.700 on a 4.000 scale) or better, and the remaining year(s) in full-time study in university classes, earning not less than 30 credits.

An individual who has been admitted to day courses of the university as a non-matriculating (special) student is not considered a student in residence. If subsequently admitted as a matriculating student, such an individual must petition the college dean for recognition of non-matriculated courses. Up to 15 credits of non-matriculated day courses may be recognized for application to the minimum residency requirements of 30 semester credits of university courses.

Off Campus Study

Once students have matriculated at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, they are expected to complete their coursework at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Such coursework may also include credits earned through approved study-abroad programs. In some cases, in order to clear a deficiency or to remain on track for graduation, a student may seek permission for off-campus study to take a course at another accredited institution. Even when authorization for off-campus study is granted, all students are required to fulfill their University of Massachusetts Lowell residency requirements.

Matriculating students in satisfactory academic standing may be permitted to apply off-campus courses to their degree programs when they comply with established procedures. Students wishing to apply credits earned off-campus must obtain approval prior to off-campus enrollment, through an Authorization of Off-Campus Courses form available in the Office of the Registrar.

Off-campus courses may be taken in regionally accredited institutions only, and ordinarily should be taken at baccalaureate colleges or universities. Permission to pursue off-campus courses in regionally accredited associate degree institutions may be granted to students only for courses which are to be presented for lower-division requirements of University of Massachusetts Lowell curricula and provided that such courses do not lead to a violation of the University Residency Requirements. All off-campus courses must be taken under the regular grading system and may not be taken on a pass-no credit (pass/fail) basis. 

To view the list of courses approved by departments for transfer into the University of Massachusetts Lowell, visit the Transfer Dictionary on the Registrar's Office website.

University Restrictions Concerning Off-Campus Study

Students are not permitted to pursue off-campus courses until an initial evaluation of their academic progress at the university has been made. Students who combine university courses with off-campus courses during the regular academic year are subject to university restrictions on semester course loads.

Residency Requirement for Major Fields

Baccalaureate degree candidates must complete at least 15 semester credits within the academic department(s) in which they are majoring for each major presented for a degree. Upon the approval of the appropriate college dean, the course requirement of 15 credits within the major department may be satisfied through satisfactory completion of courses in the University of Massachusetts Lowell Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies. 

Residency Requirement for Active Duty Service Members, their Spouse and College-age Children

The University of Massachusetts Lowell will limit academic residency to twenty-five percent (30 credits for bachelor's degree, 15 credits for associate's degree)or less of the degree requirement for all degrees for active-duty service members and their adult family members (spouse and college-age children). In addition, there are no “final year” or “final semester” residency requirements for active-duty service members and their family members. Academic residency can be completed at any time while active-duty service members and their family members are enrolled. Reservist and National Guardsmen on active-duty are covered in the same manner.

Dual Degree Program

Students who wish to pursue a dual degree program must establish simultaneous matriculation in both programs and designate their candidacy for two degrees. The curricula for dual degree programs are approved by participating college faculties and must be completed as prescribed. It is therefore imperative that a student who wishes to pursue an approved dual degree program obtain a copy of the specified curriculum that enumerates the specific semester-by-semester course requirements. Students interested in this program must receive authorization from all relevant chairs and deans. The minimum credits to receive two degrees is 150.