The College strives to provide students not only with a world-class education but also with the unique experience that comes from being a member of our diverse community of learners. In this section, you will find information about orientation for incoming MS and PhD students as well as other information that will be helpful as you begin your life as a graduate student here at UMass Amherst.
The mandatory health fee and student health benefit plan are mandatory. Students are billed in the fall for the period of August 1 to January 31 and in the spring for February 1 through July 31.
For enrollment in the SHBP for the fall semester, it's highly recommended that you submit the Enrollment Form to patientservices@uhs.umass.edu in late June or early July. For the spring semester, it's best to submit the enrollment form in December. You must be registered for at least one credit or have paid the continuous enrollment fee for your enrollment form to be processed. If you haven't registered yet, Patient Services will hold your enrollment form until you do, but processing will be delayed. SHBP members must print out a new insurance card every academic year.
Family plan enrollments must be renewed every semester by filling out the Enrollment Form and the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership. Send these forms to patientservices@uhs.umass.edu by the end of the add/drop period.
Graduate Student Tuition Bills
The Bursar's office manages student payments and provides updated tuition rates. Graduate student bills are adjusted after the add/drop period ends and calculated according to the number of credits the student is enrolled in. Students who drop courses after the add/drop period ends will receive a reduced refund or no refund depending upon the date of withdrawal. Bills are due several weeks after the add/drop period ends.
For students receiving tuition waivers please allow several weeks after the start of the semester for bills to be adjusted.
For students receiving scholarship or fellowship funds which will cover the balance of your tuition and fees, do not sign up for GEO payroll deduction because it will freeze any balance you should receive until the end of the semester. If you have questions about when you will receive your excess amount from a scholarship or fellowship please email Eileen Hamel at ehamel@cs.umass.edu.
Off-Campus Housing at UMASS Amherst
International Programs Office (IPO)
UAW - Graduate Employment Benefits and GEO
Non-Assistantship/Masters Employment
Master's students living in the Amherst area can be employed in graduate hourly positions across campus.
Effective with the cohort entering in Fall 2016, students in terminal master's programs in the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences are ineligible for assistantships in the college or elsewhere on campus. Exceptions can be granted only if supported by the Associate Dean and approved by the Dean of the College, in extraordinary circumstances needed to meet instructional or research needs.
Academic Calendar The UMass Amherst academic calendar with enrollment, add/drop, and other important dates to add to your calendar.
Single Stop Resources A fantastic list of resources for students in need of housing, food, stress relief, legal representation or other supports.
NEW Master'S Students
Master's Contact and Arrival Information
The first day of classes is September 5th, 2023. We recommend you arrive one week prior to the first day of classes date. All new international students should arrive on campus to check-in with IPO according to the IPO mandatory orientation schedule.
All UMass Amherst students are required to adhere to campus COVID policies including vaccination protocols found here: UMass COVID Policy
All international students will be attending the IPO orientation activities. Please check the International Program Office's (IPO) website at for detailed information about their orientation schedule.
The MS Academic Advising page has helpful information including an FAQ, program overview, and answers to many questions you may have as you begin your graduate degree.
Please schedule an advising appointment with your academic advisor, Elizabeth Parolski at eparolski@cs.umass.edu or email the assistant director of graduate programs, Eileen Hamel at ehamel@cs.umass.edu if you have further questions. We are here to assist you!
Our mailing address is:
College of Information and Computer Sciences
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Computer Science Building
140 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003
We look forward to seeing you at our new student orientation!
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Course ENROLLMENTPlease review the master's program Course Requirements along with the Core Requirements before selecting your courses.
Registration information can be found here.
Students interested in research are encouraged to participate in independent study research after their first semester of coursework.
Effective with the cohort entering in Fall 2016, students in terminal master's programs in the College of Information and Computer Sciences are ineligible for assistantships in the college or elsewhere on campus. Exceptions can be granted only if supported by the Chair of the Faculty and approved by the Dean of the College, in extraordinary circumstances needed to meet instructional or research needs.
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NEW PhD STUDENTSUMass Amherst Graduate School Orientation
The first day of classes is September 5th, 2023 and we recommend that you arrive one week prior to this date. Consider arriving even earlier if you will be looking for housing. If you are an international student please check the International Programs Office website for detailed information about their orientation.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to send an email to the assistant director of graduate programs and PhD Advisor, Eileen Hamel at ehamel@cs.umass.edu.
Course ENROLLMENT
Please review the MS/PhD Course Requirements or PhD Course Requirements.
Registration information can be found here.
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All graduate students, remote start or on campus, must request their official transcript be mailed to the University Graduate School directly from their undergraduate institution. Delay in receipt of the official transcript will create an enrollment hold on a student account.
Address to request an official transcript be mailed to:
Graduate Student Service Center
534 Goodell Building
University of Massachusetts
140 Hicks Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9333
All graduate students must submit proof of immunization to the University Health Services Office. Please visit the link and follow the instructions provided.