Next application deadline is March 15, 2024 and courses begin Summer 2024. Any questions? Email Renee at rciulla@umass.edu

The Bachelor Degree Program

The fully online B.S. in Sustainable Food and Farming is designed for those who are intrigued by sustainable agriculture and possible careers in this field.  The major offers flexibility in designing a personal program of study, allowing students to focus on vegetable, fruit and animal systems, permaculture, whole farm production and marketing, agricultural education, public policy, advocacy, community development and more.  The self-designed, hands-on internship is an enjoyable experiential component of this program that is optional, but highly recommended.

120 credits are required to complete the degree.  There are 45 credits of University general education requirements, 26-31 credits of core required classes, 24 agricultural science credits and 20 professional elective credits, including internship credits if the student chooses.

Background

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has offered Bachelor of Science degrees to students at the UMass Amherst campus since 1871 when 27 students graduated with an agricultural degree.  U.S. News & World Report has recently named the Stockbridge School of Agriculture #8 Best Global Universities for Agricultural Science. The Stockbridge School began offering online courses in 2008 and now offers over 40 online classes in Sustainable Food & Farming.

Annual Online Course List

Admission Requirements

Students are admitted based on their complete applicant profile, including academic record, related experiences, and personal/professional goals. 

  • Minimum GPA required for admissions is 2.7/4.0 scale, however we evaluate applicants on a number of criteria including work experience, military experience and life circumstances.

Application Deadlines

•  Fall Semester – Early application deadline May 1, Regular deadline June 1
•  Spring Semester – Early application deadline October 1, Regular deadline November 1
•  Summer Semester -- Early application deadline March 1, Regular deadline March 15, Material deadline April 1

Fees

  • $550 per credit (subject to change) 
  • Non-credit registration fee (per term) $60
  • Credit registration fee (per term) $85
  • Application fee: $60 for early deadline and $85 for regular deadline (waived for veterans and for all applicants through Summer 2021)
  • Fees are the same for in-state, out-of-state and non-U.S. students

Application Materials

  • Official college transcripts from all colleges previously attended, regardless of whether or not transfer credit is desired. Transcripts are considered official if mailed directly or sent electronically by institution’s Registrar to: uwwadmissions@umass.edu (Hard copies of transcript may be needed if electronic transcript is illegible or not from a reputable organization).
  • Official transcripts should be mailed to UWW Admissions: University Without Walls  /  Division of Online Education  /  350 Campus Center Way  /  Amherst, MA 01003-9202.  Paper or electronic transcripts sent from students are not considered official. Photocopies are not acceptable. If you have additional questions, please call CPE Admissions at: (413) 545-3440.
  • Official high school transcript – If students have completed fewer than 27 graded semester credits of college coursework, an official high school transcript with graduation notation (or GED scores) is also required.
  • Official SAT or ACT scores sent directly to UMass Amherst from the testing agency. If students have completed fewer than 27 semester credits of college coursework at the time of application, official SAT or ACT scores are also required, unless the student has a waiver.  Waivers are granted upon request to: students from Massachusetts with documented learning disabilities (state law); veterans; students who graduated from high school five or more years ago. The school codes are as follows: SAT 3917 and  ACT 1924.
  • ESL students – Students whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English language proficiency, from one of the following: TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based); SAT written score of 450 or higher; 7/8 essay score.  Prueba de Aptitud Academica (PAA) English score of 600 or higher; IELTS score of 6.5 or higher. TOEFL/IETL scores only accepted for 2 years after test date.  Applicants may also request an ESL exam exemption if they have completed two non-ESL English composition courses with grades of B or better, and additional coursework in the Humanities and Social Sciences with a grade of B or better.  Please note that exemption from the ESL exam requirement is not automatic, but is based upon a complete review of the applicant’s academic history.
  • Essay (250 words or less)–What led you to apply to the UMass Amherst B.S. in Sustainable Food and Farming?  What qualifications and traits do you possess that would help you be successful?  How would completing this degree program help you meet your personal and/or professional goals?
  • If a student has a disciplinary or criminal history, s/he must also provide an explanation, as well as a Transfer Disciplinary Report from the college where the disciplinary incident occurred or CORI report.  See application form for more information.
  • For more information, see: https://www.umass.edu/online/admissions

Financial Aid

If you would like to apply for Financial Aid, please complete a FAFSA application: https://fafsa.gov/

The University code is 002221. Any questions related to completing the FAFSA in relation to your UMass financial aid package can be directed to Sharon Ruth: # 413-545-3219. Email: sruth@finaid.umass.edu or Matt Mourovic Email: mourovic@umass.edu

Please also see the Financial Aid website.  Alternatively, students are always welcome to meet with a counselor during office hours, call the main number 413.545.0801 or e-mail at Finaid@finaid.umass.edu. It's best to identify yourself as an online (UWW) student to be sure to get the most accurate information.

  • Students admitted for summer will be packaged starting in early April, and continue as students are admitted/activated for summer. To receive aid in summer 2021, you must submit a 2020-2021 FAFSA and a Summer Aid Application (online around mid-March at umass.edu/umfa/forms). The deadline to submit the FAFSA for summer aid is June 30, 2021.
  • Students admitted for fall will be packaged for financial aid starting mid-July. Packaging will continue through the academic year as students are admitted.
  • Students admitted for spring will be packaged starting late November. Packaging will continue as students are admitted.

*In all cases, students will not be packaged until they are admitted and have provided all required documents to Financial Aid Services. The FAFSA priority deadline is May 1. Missed the deadline? There is still aid available. Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is awarded upon acceptance; PTCE (preliminary transfer credit evaluation) upon admission, final transfer credits are awarded before the semester begins.  However, transfer credit for coursework related to program requirements is done in consultation with the faculty advisor after admission.

General Education Requirements

Please see here for information from the UMass Registrar's Office related to General Education requirements. Keep in mind that this information was initially created for campus students, so although the requirements remain the same, certain courses will differ for online students: https://www.umass.edu/registrar/students/general-educationacademic-requirements

Gen Ed Course Planning Guide for Transfer Students: https://www.umass.edu/gened/sites/default/files/gen_ed_course_planning_guide_for_transfer_students_admitted_fall_2019_or_laterrev.pdf

Gen Ed Course Planning Guide for Freshmen: http://www.umass.edu/gened/sites/default/files/cpg_admitted_students_f2018_0.pdf

Second Bachelor’s

If you have a previous BS degree from UMass Amherst, then you need to complete a minimum of 30 additional credits to attain a second BS degree. If your BS is from a University other than UMass, you’ll need to complete a minimum of 45 credits. All previous credit can be used to complete degree requirements, but it's important to keep in mind that the UMass BS degree requirements still have to be met. Therefore, there is a chance that few or no electives, for example, will transfer over.  Please note that ALL applications for the Online Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Food & Farming, including from students who already have a bachelor's degree, should follow the application process for University Without Walls (UWW) explained above.

How to Enroll for Classes

Please see here for instructions on how to register for online classes whether you are a non-degree or degree-seeking student.

Math and English Placement Exams

Please see here for the placement exams which are required to take before registering for Math or English classes: http://www.umass.edu/newstudent/umass-placement-exams?_ga=2.156651323.1606724812.1584988638-332439673.1431046048

International Students Welcome!

Since this program is fully online there are no visas required, and therefore no barriers for any international student to apply and take classes. Keep in mind that if a student would like to come to campus to participate in a commencement, or other type of formal meeting, they would need to do so on a visitor's visa, not a student visa. Students who have attended universities outside of the US are asked to have their official transcripts evaluated by a professional organization. Please see the following website for more information: https://www.umass.edu/uww/resources/international-applicant-guide

UMass Accepts Students From All 50 States

Please see here for more information about the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

Academic Adviser

Ms. Renee Ciulla and Dr. John M. Gerber are the academic advisers for students in the online A.S. degree program.  

Disability Services

Disability Services coordinator Jackie Walton can speak with students and explain the process to get disability accommodations. Her email is jwalton@admin.umass.edu or phone is 413-545-0892.

Meet Our Instructors