About UMass and Programs | University of Massachusetts (2024)

Mission

The mission of the University of Massachusetts is to provide an affordable and accessible education of high quality and to conduct programs of research and public service that advance knowledge and improve the lives of the people of the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world.

Rooted in Excellence

In every regard, UMass is a national model of excellence for public research universities.

World-class education: UMass offers intellectually challenging academic programs and uniquely marketable degrees in a state with the most educated workforce and the second-highest median wages in the nation. Faculty members at UMass are engaged, accessible and focused on student outcomes, while a diverse student body encourages debate and expands cultural competency and social conscience.

Groundbreaking research: UMass is renowned for cutting-edge research aimed at eradicating diseases, addressing climate change, alleviating poverty and developing innovative solutions to some of the world's most complex problems. Research at UMass regularly produces new products and technologies that fuel economic growth and launch startup companies throughout Massachusetts.

Impactful service and engagement: As the second-largest employer in the state and the largest contributor to the Massachusetts workforce, UMass is a key economic driver in every region of the Commonwealth, generating billions of dollars in economic activity each year and proudly strengthening the social and cultural fabric of its communities. UMass also partners with dozens of companies who use campus facilities for research, development and commercialization, driving growth in emerging and established industries.

Spirit of Massachusetts: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is home to a revolutionary spirit— a relentless drive for innovation, growth and advancement, a willingness to do what’s never been done before in order to achieve the ‘impossible.’ Disrupting the status quo and driving forward progress is in the very DNA of Massachusetts, and it’s that determination that has cemented this state’s place in history and ensured its enduring leadership and success.