Academic Policy

University-Level Policies

The UMass Lowell (UML) Faculty Senate has instituted a process to ensure a thorough, campus-wide review of all University-level policy proposals. The process is as follows: After introduction at Senate, the policy is available for comment by all College Curriculum Committees for one week, followed by one week for comment by college deans. It will appear on the agenda for the Undergraduate Policy Committee (UPC), then the Graduate Policies and Affairs Committee (GPAC), and finally, return to Senate for a vote by members. A proposal, an invitation for open comment, and important dates will be announced as a "Call for Comment" campus-wide. Approved policy changes will go into effect on a specified date at the beginning of the following semester.

The 2-Month Approval Cycle for University-Level Policies

  1. The Originator creates the proposal in Curriculog.
  2. Faculty Senate Operations adds the proposal to the next Faculty Senate meeting for Initial Discussion.
  3. The Originator formally presents the proposal to Faculty Senate.
  4. Faculty Senate discusses and votes whether to move the proposal through the full 2-month cycle.
  5. The Faculty Senate President formally announces the proposal in Today at UMass Lowell (UML) and invites open comment at upcoming committee meetings.
  6. Faculty Senators bring the proposal to their Departments for review and discussion.
  7. College Curriculum Committees will review the proposal and make the needs of Colleges and Departments known by submitting comments directly to the proposal in Curriculog.
  8. College Deans will review the proposal and comments and submit impact statements directly to the proposal in Curriculog.
  9. Undergraduate Policy Committee will review the proposal and all comments and discuss with present interested parties at the next UPC meeting.
  10. Graduate Policy and Affairs Committee will review the proposal and discuss with present interested parties at the following GPAC meeting.
  11. Faculty Senate will review the final proposal and discuss with present interested parties at the following Faculty Senate meeting.
  12. Pending Faculty Senate approval, administrators will complete the “UML System Update” steps to add the policy to the catalog, with a specified effective date occurring at the beginning of the following semester.

Faculty Senate Calls for Comment

Each Faculty Senate Call for Comment is announced via UML Today Announcements, typically on the Friday after the senate meeting during which the "Initial Discussion" was conducted. Details for each Call for Comment are posted below. As the committees and Faculty Senate vote on the proposals, their decisions will be added to the relevant section below. Approved policy changes will go into effect at the beginning of the next academic semester at the earliest.

Faculty Senate Call for Comment #7

A proposal to clarify the university-level policy on graduate student transfer credit was presented to Faculty Senate for Initial Discussion on Monday December 1, 2025.

Overview of the Policy Proposal

Proposal to Clarify the Policy on Graduate Student Transfer Credit.

UMass Lowell currently maintains two related policies governing graduate credit applied toward doctoral programs:

  1. Graduate Student Transfer Credit policy – This applies when individual graduate courses are transferred into a program
  2. Acceptance of Master’s Degree Toward Doctoral Requirements policy – This applies when a student’s entire earned master’s degree is accepted toward a doctoral program.

Because the Graduate Student Transfer Credit policy is more likely to appear first in online searches for “graduate transfer policy,” and because it contains additional restrictions on timing and eligible institutions, students and graduate coordinators have sometimes been uncertain about which of the two policies applies in specific cases. To reduce this confusion, Graduate Policies and Affairs Committee (GPAC) recommends adding a brief clarifying statement at the beginning of the Transfer Credit policy.

Invitation for Open Comment

The Faculty Senate voted on December 1, 2025 to move the proposal into the 2-month review cycle for university-level policies. During this time, we invite the UMass Lowell community to review the proposal and provide comment at the upcoming meetings listed below, which are open to the public. You are also welcome to send comments or questions by email to: faculty_senate@uml.edu.

  • Start Date: Friday December 5, 2025
  • End Date: Tuesday March 3, 2026

To view the full proposal and supporting documents, and read the comments, please log into Curriculog, our campus curriculum management system. All faculty, administrators and staff can access Curriculog with their email credentials. If you need assistance, email: curriculog@uml.edu.

The proposal will be on the following Committee and Senate agendas:

1. UPC Meeting

  • Date: Monday February 9, 2026
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102

2. GPAC Meeting

  • Date: Tuesday February 17, 2026
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102

3. Faculty Senate 2025-2026 Meeting #7

The Faculty Senate is committed to transparent governance and effective communication, and we hope this invitation for comment from the campus community will help us meet those goals. Thank you for your attention to this proposed change to this policy.

  • Kevin Petersen, Faculty Senate President
  • Kerry Patenaude, Associate Director of Faculty Senate Operations and Curriculum Management

Faculty Senate Call for Comment #6

A proposal to change the university-level policy on non-degree graduate student enrollment was presented to Faculty Senate for Initial Discussion on Monday September 8, 2025.

Overview of the Policy Proposal

Proposal to Change UMass Lowell Graduate Non-Degree Policy

This proposal seeks to change the existing UMass Lowell policy on non-degree graduate student enrollment to expand access to graduate-level coursework. Specifically, it recommends:

  • Allowing undergraduate students in the latter stages of their academic programs (junior/senior year) to enroll in graduate-level classes with approval.
  • Permitting international students to enroll in non-degree graduate courses.

These changes aim to support UMass Lowell’s global engagement strategy and enhance graduate recruitment by offering greater flexibility and academic opportunities to both domestic and international students.

Invitation for Open Comment

The Faculty Senate voted on September 8, 2025 to move the proposal into the 2-month review cycle for university-level policies. During this time, we invite the UML community to review the proposal and provide comment at the upcoming meetings listed below, which are open to the public. You are also welcome to send comments or questions by email to: faculty_senate@uml.edu.

  • Start Date: Friday September 12, 2025
  • End Date: Tuesday November 4, 2025

To view the full proposal and supporting documents, and read the comments, please log into Curriculog, our campus curriculum management system. All faculty, administrators and staff can access Curriculog with their email credentials. If you need assistance, email: curriculog@uml.edu.

The proposal will be on the following Committee and Senate agendas:

1. UPC Meeting

  • Date: Tuesday October 14, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102
  • Outcome: Approved by UPC

2. GPAC Meeting

  • Date: Monday October 20, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102
  • Outcome: Approved by GPAC

3. Faculty Senate 2025-2026 Meeting #4

  • Date: Monday November 3, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Coburn Hall room 255
  • Outcome: Approved by Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is committed to transparent governance and effective communication, and we hope this invitation for comment from the campus community will help us meet those goals. Thank you for your attention to this proposed change to this policy.

  • Kevin Petersen, Faculty Senate President
  • Kerry Patenaude, Associate Director of Faculty Senate Operations and Curriculum Management


Faculty Senate Call for Comment #5

A proposal to change the university-level graduate transfer credit policy was presented to Faculty Senate for Initial Discussion on Monday September 8, 2025.

Overview of the Policy Proposal

Proposal to Allow Transfer Credit from Approved International Universities Through Established Partnership Agreements

This proposal requests an amendment to the existing transfer credit policy to allow graduate students to transfer credits from targeted international universities that are vetted and approved through established partnership agreements. Transfer credits from these institutions would require institutional and departmental approval to ensure alignment with program objectives and academic standards.

Invitation for Open Comment

The Faculty Senate voted on September 8, 2025 to move the proposal into the 2-month review cycle for university-level policies. During this time, we invite the UMass Lowell (UML) community to review the proposal and provide comment at the upcoming meetings listed below, which are open to the public. You are also welcome to send comments or questions by email to: faculty_senate@uml.edu.

  • Start Date: Friday September 12, 2025
  • End Date: Tuesday November 4, 2025

To view the full proposal and supporting documents, and read the comments, please log into Curriculog, our campus curriculum management system. All faculty, administrators and staff can access Curriculog with their email credentials. If you need assistance, email: curriculog@uml.edu.

The proposal will be on the following Committee and Senate agendas:

1. UPC Meeting

  • Date: Tuesday October 14, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102
  • Outcome: Approved by UPC

2. GPAC Meeting

  • Date: Monday October 20, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102
  • Outcome: Approved by GPAC

3. Faculty Senate 2025-2026 Meeting #4

  • Date: Monday November 3, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Coburn Hall room 255
  • Outcome: Approved by Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is committed to transparent governance and effective communication, and we hope this invitation for comment from the campus community will help us meet those goals. Thank you for your attention to this proposed change to our transfer credit policy.

  • Kevin Petersen, Faculty Senate President
  • Kerry Patenaude, Associate Director of Faculty Senate Operations and Curriculum Management

Faculty Senate Call for Comment #4

A proposal to Change University Policy: Change the Graduate Credit Transfer Policy (to allow up to 9-credits shared between concurrent degrees) was presented to Faculty Senate for Initial Discussion on March 3, 2025.

  • Start date: Friday March 14, 2025
  • End date: Tuesday May 6, 2025

Proposal to Change Graduate Credit Transfer Policy

Current university policy allows students to transfer up to twelve (12) credits into a master's degree program, however credits presented for a master's degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) must not have been presented for another, separate master's degree.

This proposal recommends a policy revision which would permit students to count up to nine (9) credits towards two master’s degrees at UML, provided that the following criteria are met:

  • Both master's degrees are conferred by UML.
  • Both master's programs have a formal concurrent program agreement detailing which credits may be shared.
  • Credits cannot be counted to more than two degrees (including those used in a Bachelor-to-Master program).

This proposal is driven by student demand and aligns with practices at peer institutions. By adopting this proposal, UML will allow students to complete two master’s degrees concurrently, providing a more flexible and cost-effective pathway for students to earn two master's degrees while maintaining the academic rigor and the integrity of both degrees.

We anticipate this will increase graduate enrollment and tuition revenue as well as enhance UML’s competitiveness in the higher education landscape.

Invitation for Open Comment

The Faculty Senate voted on March 3, 2025 to move the proposal into the 2-month review cycle for university-level policies. The Senate asked that we wait to announce this Call for Comment until the end of the break. As of this announcement on March 14, we invite the UML community to review the proposal and provide comment at upcoming UPC and GPAC meetings, which are open to the public. You are also welcome to send comments or questions by email to: faculty_senate@uml.edu.

To view the full In-Progress grade proposal and supporting documents, and read the comments, please log into Curriculog, our campus curriculum management system. All faculty, administrators and staff can access Curriculog with their email credentials. If you need assistance, email: curriculog@uml.edu.

The proposal will be on the following Committee and Senate agendas:

1. UPC Meeting

  • Date: Monday April 14, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102
  • Outcome: Approved by UPC

2. GPAC Meeting

  • Date: Wednesday April 23, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: University Crossing room 421
  • Outcome: Approved by GPAC, with updates.
  • There was a lot of discussion of potential for impacts on enrollments as well as other unintended consequences by having this policy to allow concurrent degree programs. A majority of members felt enrollment impacts can be evaluated more specifically when the concurrent degree proposals are submitted and being evaluated. Members also clarified that double counting only applies to UML courses, not transfer credit. GPAC members were concerned with the language in the original draft stating GPAC will establish the guidelines. Members asked the originators to remove that language and the originators agreed. Process will need to be created, but that is not within the policy. It was also suggested to more clearly label the MBA-MSEM information as an example. The originator agreed to this suggested change, which does not change the proposal which is only creating the possibility to create concurrent design programs, not actually creating any programs right now.

3. Faculty Senate 2024-2025 Meeting #4

  • Date: Monday May 5, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Moloney Ballroom (UCC-260), University Crossing
  • Outcome: Approved by Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is committed to transparent governance and effective communication, and we hope this invitation for comment from the campus community will help us meet those goals. Thank you for your attention to this proposed change to our graduate transfer credit policy.

  • Kevin Petersen, Faculty Senate President
  • Kerry Patenaude, Associate Director of Faculty Senate Operations and Curriculum Management

Faculty Senate Call for Comment #3

A proposal to Change University Policy: Increase Allowed Transfer Credits was presented to Faculty Senate for Initial Discussion on November 4, 2024.

  • Start date: November 8, 2024 (the Friday after the Initial Discussion at Faculty Senate)
  • End date: February 4, 2025 (the day after the final Faculty Senate meeting vote)

Proposal to Increase Allowed Transfer Credits

This university-wide proposal seeks to increase the maximum number of transferable credits from two-year schools from 60 to 75 credits without requiring a petition process. Currently, UMass Lowell will allow up to 75 transfer credits from accredited two-year institutions to be applied toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree. The proposal seeks to increase that allowed number to 90 to be competitive with peer institutions. For the full proposal and rationale, please see Curriculog for the proposal’s details.

Invitation for Open Comment

The Faculty Senate voted on November 4, 2024 to move the proposal into the 2-month review cycle for university-level policies. During this time, we invite the UML community to review the proposal and provide comment at the upcoming UPC meeting on December 9, which is open to the public. You are also welcome to send comments or questions by email to: faculty_senate@uml.edu.

To view the full proposal and supporting documents and read the comments, please log into Curriculog, our campus curriculum management system. All faculty, administrators and staff can access Curriculog with their email credentials. If you need assistance, email: curriculog@uml.edu.

The proposal will be on the following Committee and Senate agendas:

1. UPC Meeting

  • Date: Monday December 9, 2024
  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center (ETIC) Perry Atrium
  • Outcome: Approved with updates

2. GPAC Meeting

  • Date: Monday December 16, 2024
  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102
  • Outcome: Approved by GPAC

3. Faculty Senate 2024-2025 Meeting #5

  • Date: Monday February 3, 2025
  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Moloney Ballroom, University Crossing (UCC) 260
  • Outcome: Approved by Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is committed to transparent governance and effective communication, and we hope this invitation for comment from the campus community will help us meet those goals. Thank you for your attention to this proposed change to our transfer credit policy.

  • Kevin Petersen, Faculty Senate President
  • Kerry Patenaude, Associate Director of Faculty Senate Operations and Curriculum Management

Faculty Senate Call for Comment #2

A proposal to Change University Policy: Graduate Admissions Transcript Requirement was presented to Faculty Senate for Initial Discussion on November 4, 2024.

  • Start date: November 8, 2024 (the Friday after the Initial Discussion at Faculty Senate)
  • End date: February 4, 2025 (the day after the final Faculty Senate vote)

Proposal to Change Graduate Admissions Transcript Requirement

This university-wide proposal would like to change the university's application requirements for graduate programs, specifically the transcript requirement for international applicants who, due to circumstances beyond their own control, are unable to produce official transcripts. For more information on this proposal and the new process for students in these exceptional situations, please see Curriculog for the proposal’s details.

Invitation for Open Comment

The Faculty Senate voted on November 4, 2024 to move the proposal into the 2-month review cycle for university-level policies. During this time, we invite the UML community to review the proposal and provide comment at the upcoming UPC meeting on December 9, which is open to the public. You are also welcome to send comments or questions by email to: faculty_senate@uml.edu.

To view the full proposal and supporting documents and read the comments, please log into Curriculog, our campus curriculum management system. All faculty, administrators and staff can access Curriculog with their email credentials. If you need assistance, email: curriculog@uml.edu.

The proposal will be on the following Committee and Senate agendas:

1. UPC Meeting

  • Date: Monday December 9, 2024
  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center (ETIC) Perry Atrium
  • Outcome: UPC voted to approve the proposal, with the caveat that the language needs to be strengthened to clearly restrict potential applicants to those from countries in crisis. As written, the policy is too vague. The committee would also like to see a better-defined process for reviewing these applicants.

2. GPAC Meeting

  • Date: Monday December 16, 2024
  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102
  • Outcome: GPAC rejected the policy. Even with the stronger language developed in response to comments from UPC, GPAC committee members still had extreme reservations about developing a blanket policy. There were concerns about the NGOs or other organizations that would validate a student's academic history, how those organizations would be vetted by the university, whether the process would be subject to fraud in the foreign countries. Some expressed support for requesting exceptions for every student, others for every program, such as the current program with Project Burma. There was a discussion about our role as a public institution in opening doors to students in extreme situations to be able to access higher education, but one member expressed concerns about maintaining standards as a high research institution. A motion was made to approve that included a request for additional information about other institutions that may have similar policies to be presented to Faculty Senate, however the motion did not receive a majority of votes and so the policy was rejected by GPAC.

3. Faculty Senate 2024-2025 Meeting #5

  • Date: Monday February 3, 2025
  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Moloney Ballroom, University Crossing (UCC) 260
  • Outcome: Presented to Faculty Senate as information only.

The Faculty Senate is committed to transparent governance and effective communication, and we hope this invitation for comment from the campus community will help us meet those goals. Thank you for your attention to this proposed change to our graduate admissions policy.

  • Kevin Petersen, Faculty Senate President
  • Kerry Patenaude, Associate Director of Faculty Senate Operations and Curriculum Management

Faculty Senate Call for Comment #1

A proposal requesting a New University Policy: In-Progress Grade for Study Abroad Courses with Post-Term Travel was presented to Faculty Senate for Initial Discussion on October 7, 2024.

  • Start date: October 10, 2024
  • End date: December 3, 2024

Proposal to Add “In-Progress” Grading for Study Abroad Courses with Post-term Travel

This proposal would add a new grade designation of “In Progress (IP)” for use only in courses involving a study abroad experience that takes place after the end of the term.

Students in such courses currently receive a grade of Incomplete (INC) until the travel is completed, which, per the Semester Honors policy, bars them from consideration for the semester notation of Distinction, Dean’s List or Chancellor’s List. The “IP” grade, used in place of the INC, is designed to allow students who participate in these enriching experiences to have their academic success acknowledged according to the semester’s coursework they have completed by the date when the Registrar’s Office runs academic standing.

Once the travel is complete and the faculty member reports the student’s final grade, the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) will be re-calculated (as is the practice with grades of INC), including the letter grade issued in the study abroad course.

Invitation for Open Comment

The Faculty Senate voted on October 7, 2024 to move the proposal into the 2-month review cycle for university-level policies. During this time, we invite the UMass Lowell (UML) community to review the proposal and provide comment at the upcoming UPC meeting on November 12, which is open to the public. You are also welcome to send comments or questions by email to: faculty_senate@uml.edu.

To view the full In-Progress grade proposal and supporting documents, and read the comments, please log into Curriculog, our campus curriculum management system. All faculty, administrators and staff can access Curriculog with their email credentials. If you need assistance, email" curriculog@uml.edu.

The proposal will be on the following Committee and Senate agendas:

1. UPC Meeting

  • Date: Tuesday November 12, 2024
  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center (ETIC) Perry Atrium
  • Outcome: Approved by UPC

2. GPAC Meeting

  • Date: Monday November 18, 2024
  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall room 102
  • Outcome: Approved by GPAC

3. Faculty Senate 2024-2025 Meeting #4

  • Date: Monday December 2, 2024
  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Moloney Ballroom, University Crossing (UCC) 260
  • Outcome: Approved by Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is committed to transparent governance and effective communication, and we hope this invitation for comment from the campus community will help us meet those goals. Thank you for your attention to this proposed change to our grading policy.

  • Kevin Petersen, Faculty Senate President
  • Kerry Patenaude, Associate Director of Faculty Senate Operations and Curriculum Management