University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Introduction

The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is a higher education institution that tracks back to the end of the 19th century, when the Massachusetts state legislature approved the creation of two separate (and subsequently subsumed) institutes, the New Bedford and the Bradford Durfee Textile Schools to keep the area at the forefront of the textiles industry.

These two schools were later incorporated into the Southeastern Massachusetts Technological Institute in 1962, and shortly thereafter the school was expanded to meet the growing education demands of the local population. Hence, in 1969 it was renamed the Southeastern Massachusetts University and comprehensive higher education programs were put into place.

Then, at the beginning of the 1990s, the state merged various colleges into the University of Massachusetts system, and Southeastern Massachusetts University became the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth that exists today.

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Academics

The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth has continued its rise within the academic sphere, and the school is planning on becoming a Carnegie Research Institution by the beginning of the next decade. With its considerable endowment of over $30 million, it is continuing to expand its area of activity at a vigorous rate, investing in new facilities and attracting quality professionals to its faculty.

The chief areas of academic strength of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth are in the fields of engineering, marine sciences, education, healthcare, the visual and performing arts, and the liberal arts. These fortes are reflected in the breakdown of the institution into the following parts: the College of Arts and Sciences; the Charlton College of Business; the College of Engineering; the College of Nursing; the College of Visual and Performing Arts; and the School for Marine Science and Technology.

A rather unique academic trait of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is its extensive Portuguese culture and language studies program. Few other universities in the country offer a similar in depth program geared towards Portuguese culture and studies, which extends to issues dealing with Brazilian culture and identity. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Portuguese studies, the school has recently launched a Ph.D. in Luso-Afro-Brazilian Studies and Theory. These areas of study are backed up and supported by the relatively prestigious (within this area of study) Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture, where international conferences on the matter are commonly held.

All told, for undergraduate students there are over 60 different majors being offered that cover a fairly comprehensive list of concentrations, with the noted strengths listed above. Furthermore, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth boasts full accreditation on behalf of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges across all its programs. Not only that, but the professional programs being offered have special accreditations that reflect the school’s level: the school’s business program, for example, has been accredited by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), while the school’s computer science and engineering programs are backed by the accreditation of the ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Unique Programs

The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth has developed its relatively unique Luso-Afro-Brazilian Studies and Theory doctorate program in large part because of the significant Portuguese-speaking demographic in the Southeastern Massachusetts area. In fact, the schools Department of Portuguese Studies is the largest of its kind in the nation, and hence a degree in this area from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is worth quite a lot.

A significant distinction was attained by the school as a result of its Sustainability Initiative, which was honored with an award from the Massachusetts Governor’s Office’s Leading by Example Program for its contribution to ecologically friendly practices on campus and awareness promotion in the surrounding community.

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Admissions

The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is a relatively selective school, and on average 60% of a given year’s applicants are accepted for the following academic year as freshmen.

The admissions process for University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is relatively similar to most liberal arts colleges throughout the nation, and in general the school asks students applying for admission to their freshman year to submit their applications (either online or via mail) by the month of December.

Along with your application form, the school requires students to send a copy of their official high school transcript all the way up through the first quarter of their senior year (except for applicants in the Early Decision category), the scores they obtained on the SAT/ACT, and the non-refundable payment for processing their application.

Though not required, applicants are encouraged to write an essay/personal statement in which they highlight their accomplishments (not only from an academic, but also from a community, extracurricular and sports point of view) and stating why they think University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth would be the right school for them.

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Financial Aid

The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth has a fairly standard financial aid distribution set up. The main form for applying for aid is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and need based students are always given priority over others. Notwithstanding, among non-need based aid is determined by factors such as being a member of a minority group, having a strong academic record, being part of ROTC, or being domiciled within the state or local district.

The majority of aid given to students comes in the form of partially federally subsidized loans, and is followed in decreasing order by institutional grants, state and local grants, and finally federal grants.

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Students

The student body at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is benefited by a variety of programs, social activities and services. Though first year on-campus housing is not mandatory at the school, freshman students do have an exclusive “quad” set aside for them. Other students further along with their studies have a variety of on-campus housing options available, including a few very cozy apartment options in the latest building complexes.

Students with children have the benefit of being able to count on the assistance of an on-campus daycare center, allowing parents to pursue their education with greater ease. Other services that are available for students on the campus itself include career counseling, career placement, and remedial services. Additionally, in light of the vast campus, students have the ability to engage in a wide variety of recreational activities without having to stray too far away from their residences or classrooms.

The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth has one of the most ambitious and impressive campuses in New England, due to the fact that world-renowned architect Paul Rudolph was almost single-handedly responsible for the design of the main academic and residence buildings. Employing his trademark Brutalism style, he sought (and in the opinion of many, successfully managed) to imbue the campus structures with an air of utopianism and promote a sense of community and equality among those present, students and faculty alike.

To make students feel as connected as possible with their study programs, the campus was designed with a central Academic Life area where all academic buildings are located. Each building has a principal entrance facing the campus’s campanile. Classrooms were designed with prominent windows to keep people feeling connected with the community and the outdoors. Many other similar effects make this a unique, modern campus with few equivalents across the country (a statement which also applies to the hundreds of acres of undeveloped wetlands, grasslands and woodlands, a source of adventure and fun for all local residents).

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Athletics

The following sports can be found here:

• Men’s NCAA Division III and Men’s Intercollegiate Baseball
• Men’s NCAA Division III, Women’s NCAA Division III, Men’s Intercollegiate, Women’s Intercollegiate, Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Basketball
• Men’s NCAA Division III, Women’s NCAA Division III, Men’s Intercollegiate, Women’s Intercollegiate, Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Cross_country
• Men’s NCAA Division III and Men’s Intercollegiate Football
• Men’s NCAA Division III and Men’s Intercollegiate Golf
• Men’s NCAA Division III, Women’s NCAA Division III, Men’s Intercollegiate, Women’s Intercollegiate, Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Soccer
• Women’s NCAA Division III, Women’s Intercollegiate, Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Softball
• Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Table_tennis
• Men’s Intercollegiate and Women’s Intercollegiate Track_and_field
• Men’s NCAA Division III and Women’s NCAA Division III Track_indoor
• Men’s NCAA Division III and Women’s NCAA Division III Track_outdoor
• Women’s NCAA Division III, Women’s Intercollegiate, Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Volleyball

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Doctoral degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification