09/12/2025
By Kevin Petersen and Kerry Patenaude

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, Sept. 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 Sept. 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 to faculty_senate@uml.edu.

  • Start Date: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025
  • End Date: Tuesday, Nov. 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, Oct. 14, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall 102

2. GPAC Meeting 

  • Date: Monday, Oct. 20, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Alumni Hall 102

3. Faculty Senate 2025-2026 Meeting #4

  • Date: Monday, Nov. 3, 2025
  • Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Location: Coburn 255

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.

View all Faculty Senate Calls for Comment