University of Massachusetts’s Snapshot
13+
Online master’s programs
$625–700
Per credit hour
~$19–42k
Typical total cost
8 wk
Terms · rolling starts
Key policies
Institution type
Private, nonprofit (UMass system)
Regional accreditation
WSCUC
Admissions model
Rolling — no fixed deadlines
GRE/GMAT required
Not required
Military rates
Available (Yellow Ribbon)
Notable Programmatic Accreditations
- ACBSP
- Edited By Jeevan D'Souza
Start Here: Compare UMass Global by What Matters Most
- Compare institutional strengths → Particularly strong in California-aligned education credentials, counseling licensure pathways, and flexible working-adult graduate programs
- Compare accreditation → WSCUC regional accreditation plus ACBSP accreditation for business programs and California credential alignment across education pathways
- Compare flexibility → Rolling admissions with online sessions starting approximately every 8 weeks and no GRE/GMAT requirements across all programs
- Compare student fit → Strongest for working adults, military-affiliated students, career changers, and California educators needing practical credential advancement
- Compare alternatives → National University, Western Governors University, and Southern New Hampshire University
What University of Massachusetts Global Is Known For
1. Education and Teaching Credential Programs
UMass Global’s deepest program bench is in education. It offers multiple master’s pathways for both aspiring and practicing educators — including an MA in Teaching (with student teaching for initial credential candidates), an MA in Education with four concentration tracks, an MA in Educational Leadership tied to California’s Preliminary Administrative Services Credential, and an MA in Special Education. For California-based educators seeking a master’s that pairs with a credential or advances their salary schedule placement, UMass Global is one of the most direct options.
2. Counseling Programs With Clinical Licensure Pathways
The MS in Counseling program offers both Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credits, preparing for LPCC licensure in California) and School Counseling (48 credits, preparing for the PPS credential). Both require supervised practicum and internship hours — which means real clinical experience, not just coursework. This is a meaningful differentiator from institutions that only offer non-licensure psychology programs .
3. ACBSP-Accredited MBA With Seven Concentrations
The MBA program holds ACBSP accreditation and offers concentrations in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, health administration, human resources, marketing, and organizational leadership. At $700 per credit and 39 credits, the total cost is approximately $27,300 — competitive for a programmatically accredited MBA that doesn’t require a GMAT.
4. Rolling Admissions With Frequent Start Dates
Every online master’s program at UMass Global operates on rolling admissions with sessions starting roughly every 8 weeks. There are no fall-only or spring-only entry points to wait for. This is built for professionals who need to start when they’re ready, not when a semester calendar dictates.
5. Accessibility for Non-Traditional Students
No GRE, no GMAT, rolling admissions, evening/weekend-friendly course scheduling, and a student body that skews older and employed. UMass Global doesn’t pretend to be a traditional research university experience. It’s designed for people who are already working and need a master’s degree that fits around a career, not the other way around.
Featured Programs / Top Picks
Who it’s for: Practicing K-12 educators who want to advance on the salary schedule, deepen instructional practice, or move toward curriculum design roles. At 30 credits and $625/credit (~$18,750 total), it’s one of UMass Global’s most affordable master’s programs. Fully online, no GRE, rolling starts. The curriculum and instruction track is the most versatile of the four MA in Education concentrations for educators who aren’t yet sure whether they want to move into administration.
Who it’s for: Career changers and aspiring clinicians who need a licensure-qualifying degree. The 60-credit program prepares students for LPCC licensure in California (and equivalent credentials in other states). It requires supervised clinical practicum and internship hours — this is a serious clinical training program, not a survey of counseling theory. For students comparing clinical psychology programs , UMass Global’s counseling track offers a more direct path to independent clinical practice than most non-doctoral psychology programs.
Who it’s for: Mid-career professionals who need an MBA without the GMAT barrier or AACSB price tag. ACBSP accreditation provides programmatic quality assurance. Seven concentration options let students tailor the degree toward their industry. At $27,300 estimated total, it sits below the median for accredited online MBAs. Appears on lists of accessible online MBA programs due to the no-GMAT policy and rolling admissions.
Who it’s for: Educators or career changers who want to become school counselors, particularly in California. The 48-credit program prepares candidates for the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential. Requires fieldwork, which means graduates enter the job market with applied experience. This is a niche credential pathway that not all online institutions offer with embedded practicum support.
Online Master’s Programs by Subject
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) — 7 concentrations , including Accounting, Finance, Health Administration, and Organizational Leadership. ACBSP accredited. 39 credits, $700/credit.
- MA in Organizational Leadership — 30 credits, $700/credit. Fully online.
UMass Global’s strongest and deepest subject area. Programs include:
- MA in Teaching — for initial teaching credential candidates (includes student teaching; in-person component required)
- MA in Education — 4 concentrations: Curriculum & Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Social Emotional Learning, Teaching & Learning. 30 credits, $625/credit.
- MA in Educational Leadership — tied to California Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. 30 credits, $625/credit.
- MA in Special Education — 30 credits, $625/credit.
- MS in Instructional Design and Technology — blends education and technology for corporate training or K-12 settings. 30 credits, $700/credit.
- MS in Counseling — School Counseling — prepares for the PPS credential in California. 48 credits, $700/credit. Requires fieldwork.
For students exploring psychology programs :
- MS in Counseling — Clinical Mental Health Counseling — 60 credits, $700/credit. Licensure-qualifying (LPCC). Requires practicum and internship.
- MA in Psychology — 30 credits, $700/credit. Non-licensure general psychology program.
For students comparing MHA programs :
- MS in Health Administration — 30 credits, $700/credit. Fully online.
For students exploring criminal justice programs :
- MS in Criminal Justice — 30 credits, $700/credit. Fully online.
- Master of Public Administration (MPA) — 36 credits, $700/credit. Fully online.
What’s Not Here: UMass Global does not offer online master’s programs in nursing, social work, IT/data science, cybersecurity, or engineering. Students seeking an MSW or MSN will need to look elsewhere.
Programs Table
Structured reference of all known online master’s programs at the University of Massachusetts Global. See programs_table array for full structured data.
How University of Massachusetts Global Compares
UMass Global competes most directly with three types of institutions: California-based working-adult schools, large-scale national online universities, and competency-based alternatives. Here’s how it stacks up.
Key takeaways from this comparison:
- UMass Global vs. National University
- National University is the closest competitor in profile — both are California-based private nonprofits serving working adults with rolling admissions and frequent start dates. National University has a broader program catalog, including IT, cybersecurity, and engineering master’s degrees that UMass Global doesn’t offer. National also has CACREP accreditation for its counseling programs, which UMass Global currently does not. However, UMass Global’s UMass system affiliation gives it a different institutional identity, and its education programs are more tightly focused on California credential pathways. Tuition rates are comparable across both institutions.
- UMass Global vs. Western Governors University
- Western Governors University is the competency-based alternative. WGU’s flat-rate tuition model ($4,000-$4,500 per six-month term) makes it significantly cheaper for fast-moving students — a WGU MBA can cost under $10,000 total, versus $27,300 at UMass Global. WGU also offers nursing, IT, and cybersecurity master’s programs that UMass Global doesn’t. However, WGU doesn’t offer clinical counseling programs, doesn’t hold ACBSP accreditation for its MBA, and its competency-based model doesn’t include supervised practicum or credential-pathway programs aligned to California requirements. UMass Global is the stronger choice for students who need structured clinical training or California-specific credential outcomes.
- UMass Global vs. Southern New Hampshire University
- Southern New Hampshire University operates at a vastly different scale — SNHU enrolls over 100,000 online students and offers 100+ online master’s programs across nearly every subject area. SNHU’s tuition ($627/credit for most programs) is slightly lower than UMass Global’s $625-$700 range. SNHU has broader program coverage, including social work, nursing, and data analytics. But UMass Global’s advantages are specificity: California credential alignment, clinical counseling with supervised practicum hours, and a smaller student body that may translate to more personalized advising. SNHU is the better fit for program variety; UMass Global is the better fit for California-rooted credential and licensure pathways.
| Dimension | UMass Global | National University | WGU | SNHU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institution Type | Private nonprofit | Private nonprofit | Private nonprofit | Private nonprofit |
| Tuition Per Credit | $625–$700 | $620–$690 | ~$4,000–$4,500/term (flat rate) | $627 |
| MBA Accreditation | ACBSP | ACBSP | None (programmatic) | ACBSP |
| Clinical Counseling | Yes (LPCC pathway) | Yes (CACREP accredited) | No | No |
| CA Credential Pathways | Strong | Strong | Limited | No |
| Competency-Based Option | No | No | Yes | No |
| Start Frequency | Every ~8 weeks | Monthly | 1st of every month | Every 8 weeks |
| Total Online Master’s Programs | ~13 | ~40+ | ~20+ | ~100+ |
University of Massachusetts Is
Best For
- California-based educators who need a master’s degree tied to a credential or salary advancement. UMass Global’s education programs are built around California credential pathways — Administrative Services, teaching credentials, PPS, and special education. If you’re a working teacher in California who needs a master’s that directly maps to your career advancement requirements, this is the primary use case.
- Career changers pursuing clinical mental health counseling licensure. The 60-credit MS in Counseling — Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a licensure-qualifying program with an embedded clinical practicum and internship. It’s designed for students who want to become licensed professional clinical counselors, not just study counseling theory. Students comparing this to family therapy programs or general psychology degrees should note the clinical licensure distinction.
- Mid-career professionals who want an accredited MBA without test score barriers. No GMAT, no GRE, ACBSP accreditation, and seven concentration options at $27,300 estimated total. This hits the sweet spot for professionals who need a credential for career advancement but can’t afford — or don’t want — a $60K+ AACSB program.
- Military-affiliated students and veterans. UMass Global (and predecessor Brandman) has decades of history serving military-connected students, including Yellow Ribbon participation, military tuition discounts, and transfer credit policies friendly to military education. Students who may benefit from loan forgiveness programs will also find UMass Global’s public-service-oriented programs (education, counseling, public administration) align well.
- Working adults who need rolling start dates and can’t wait for semester cycles. Every program starts approximately every 8 weeks. No application deadlines to miss, no semester-based waitlists. This matters for students whose job situations change quickly or who decide to pursue a master’s mid-year.
May Not a Best Fit For
- You want an AACSB-accredited MBA. UMass Global’s MBA holds ACBSP accreditation, not AACSB. For some employers and industries (particularly finance, consulting, and Fortune 500 corporate tracks), AACSB is the expected standard. If AACSB matters for your career goals, look at institutions like Arizona State University or Indiana University Online .
- You need a STEM, IT, engineering, or data science master’s. UMass Global’s catalog doesn’t include computer science, data analytics, cybersecurity, or engineering programs. Purdue University , Colorado State University , or Georgia Tech, through Arizona State’s online ecosystem, offer stronger STEM options online.
- You want the lowest possible tuition and are a fast self-paced learner. Western Governors University charges a flat rate per term regardless of how many credits you complete. Students who can accelerate through competency assessments can finish an MBA or an education master’s at WGU for a fraction of UMass Global’s per-credit cost.
- You need state-specific licensure outside California. UMass Global’s counseling and education programs are designed with California licensure and credentialing requirements in mind. They may meet requirements in other states, but alignment is not guaranteed. Students in other states should verify licensure reciprocity before enrolling — or consider institutions with national programmatic accreditations like CACREP (which National University holds for its counseling programs).
- You want a traditional research university brand name on your degree. UMass Global is not UMass Amherst. The “UMass” in the name creates brand association, but UMass Global is a separately operated institution with a different mission, different faculty model, and different national reputation. Students who prioritize institutional prestige in competitive job markets may find that a degree from Northeastern University , Johns Hopkins University , or Penn State World Campus carries more weight in credential-sensitive industries.
Admissions Snapshot
Admissions Model: Rolling — no fixed application deadlines
Start Dates: Sessions begin approximately every 8 weeks throughout the year
GRE/GMAT Required: No — not required for any online master’s program. UMass Global is consistently listed among online master’s programs that don’t require the GRE .
Minimum GPA: Generally 2.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited institution for most programs; some programs may have higher thresholds
Application Materials (General):
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Resume or professional experience summary (varies by program)
Program-Specific Prerequisites:
- MS in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health): May require prerequisite coursework in psychology, a personal statement, and an interview
- MS in Counseling (School Counseling): May require prerequisite coursework, statement of purpose, and references
- MA in Teaching: Requires subject matter competency verification and clearance for student teaching placement
- MBA: No additional prerequisites beyond general requirements
Transfer Credits: Accepted on a case-by-case basis; policies vary by program
International Students: Accepted with additional documentation (credential evaluation, English proficiency)
Tuition & Cost Overview
UMass Global uses a per-credit tuition model. Rates vary by program area:
| Program Area | Tuition Per Credit | Typical Credits | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (MA) Programs | $625 | 30 | $18,750 |
| MBA | $700 | 39 | $27,300 |
| Organizational Leadership (MA) | $700 | 30 | $21,000 |
| Psychology (MA) | $700 | 30 | $21,000 |
| Counseling — Clinical MH (MS) | $700 | 60 | $42,000 |
| Counseling — School (MS) | $700 | 48 | $33,600 |
| Instructional Design & Tech (MS) | $700 | 30 | $21,000 |
| Health Administration (MS) | $700 | 30 | $21,000 |
| Criminal Justice (MS) | $700 | 30 | $21,000 |
| Public Administration (MPA) | $700 | 36 | $25,200 |
Financial Aid: Federal financial aid (Title IV) eligible. Students can access federal loans, grants, and work-study.
Military/Veteran Benefits: Yellow Ribbon participating institution. Military tuition discounts available. Accepts GI Bill and Tuition Assistance. UMass Global’s Brandman-era legacy includes decades of partnership with military installations, and military-affiliated students remain a significant portion of enrollment.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement: UMass Global’s per-credit pricing and rolling start dates are compatible with most employer tuition reimbursement programs. The 8-week session format fits within common reimbursement approval cycles.
Scholarships: Institutional scholarships available; amounts and eligibility vary by program.
Cost Context: Education programs ($625/credit) sit at or below the median for online master’s in education from regionally accredited nonprofits. The $700/credit rate for business, psychology, and counseling programs is mid-range — less than Northeastern University or George Washington University , but more than Western Governors University or SNHU . Students pursuing public service careers (education, counseling, public administration) should investigate student loan forgiveness programs — UMass Global’s program mix aligns well with Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
Visit University of Massachusetts’s official online programs page
Related Rankings
Online Master’s Programs — No GRE Required
- Every online master’s program at UMass Global waives the GRE and GMAT. If the no-test-score admissions model is a priority, this ranking covers the broader landscape of institutions with similar policies.
- Easiest Online MBA Programs
- UMass Global’s MBA — with no GMAT, rolling admissions, and ACBSP accreditation — fits the profile of accessible online MBA programs designed for working professionals who need to start quickly without testing barriers.
FAQ
Yes. Brandman University rebranded as University of Massachusetts Global in 2021 when it transitioned from the Chapman University system to the University of Massachusetts system. The institution, programs, and operational model are continuous — if you earned a Brandman degree, it’s from the same institution, now called UMass Global.
No. UMass Global is a separately operated institution within the University of Massachusetts system. It has its own faculty, its own admissions, its own accreditation, and a fundamentally different mission (serving working adults through online and hybrid programs). A degree from UMass Global is not the same as a degree from UMass Amherst, UMass Lowell, or any other UMass campus.
UMass Global is regionally accredited by WSCUC, which is the same accreditor that covers Stanford, USC, and other California institutions. Its MBA holds ACBSP accreditation. For most employers — particularly in education, healthcare, counseling, and mid-level management — a UMass Global master’s degree meets credentialing and hiring requirements. However, in industries where institutional prestige is a hiring filter (investment banking, elite consulting, top-tier tech), UMass Global will not carry the same weight as a degree from a flagship research university.
Most programs are fully online. Exceptions: the MA in Teaching requires student teaching (in-person), and the MS in Counseling programs (both Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling) require supervised practicum and internship hours, which involve in-person clinical or school-based placements.
The MBA and business programs hold ACBSP accreditation. The counseling programs do not currently hold CACREP accreditation (which is a consideration for students who may practice in states that require or prefer CACREP-accredited training). Education programs are aligned to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) standards.
Most 30-credit programs can be completed in 12-18 months. The 39-credit MBA typically takes 12-24 months. The 60-credit MS in Counseling — Clinical Mental Health Counseling takes 24-36 months due to the clinical hour requirements. Actual timelines depend on course load and practicum scheduling.
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. The number of transferable credits varies by program. Students should contact their program advisor for a specific transfer credit evaluation before enrolling.