Welcome to the UWW New Student

Orientation Webinar

Textbooks

Find out what text/e-books you’ll need in:• SPIRE- Click on “Student Home”, “Class Schedule”, and then

“Textbook Summary.”

• Your syllabus- logging into your course (Blackboard Learn)

• Emailing the instructor- contact information in course description

Getting text/e-books• www.umass.amazon.com• Local bookstores in your area• Online book sellers

Financial Aid

• View award in SPIRE• Financial Aid Office- 413-545-0801• www.umass.edu/umfa• Apply ASAP if you have not already (FAFSA)• Grants, scholarships, loans and even work study money. • UPay payment plan (www.umass.edu/bursar)• Verification…

Financial Aid

• 6 credits per semester to be eligible for aid (if you take more than 6 credits a semester the aid will be adjusted accordingly).

• End of add/drop is when credit load is determined and therefore your aid is determined.

Add/drop and other dates and deadlines

• September 1st begins “preview week”

• Two week grace period known as add/drop.

• This Fall the add/drop deadline is Monday September 21st.

• Other deadlines? Scholarships, course deadlines for assignments, discussions, etc.

• Organized!

UWW Requirements

• UWW 191G Frameworks of Understanding• UWW Experiential Reflections (pick 2)

UWW 310 Experiential Reflections on TechnologyUWW 320 Experiential Reflections on LeadershipUWW 330 Experiential Reflections on Public PolicyUWW 340 Experiential Reflections on OrganizationsUWW 350 Experiential Reflections on HealthUWW 360 Experiential Reflections on Education

• UWW 370 Writing about Experience

All of these courses are offered 100% online or blended – blended means they are online courses that also meet in person one day a month during the semester (our classrooms in Hadley or in Springfield).

UWW Requirements

UWW 191G Frameworks is required in your first semester.

If you choose to take a second class in your first semester it should be one of your Reflections classes.

If you want to take more than two courses you could register for a second Reflections course (you’re required to take two before you graduate), or you could take a course that meets a General Education requirement you still need to fulfill. If you want to take more than two courses, contact us for advice!

UWW Requirements

UWW 191G Frameworks of Understanding

First semester; your instructor/professor is also your ADVISOR for the remainder of your stay here with us!

Area of Concentration, Degree Plan, critical thinking skills, library research, reflect upon your own paths, prepare for UWW 370 writing course.

Degree Plan – prior coursework, future coursework, Portfolio credits, goal!

Re-introduced to college – inspiration!

UWW Requirements

UWW 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360 Reflections courses

Help you reflect, write and analyze ideas and experiences in preparation for writing your Portfolio in UWW 370.

Students should take both Reflections courses prior to taking UWW 370, or, take at least one Reflections course first, and the second Reflections course alongside taking UWW 370.

Topics are broad and inclusive of a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences to help our diverse student interests.

UWW Requirements

UWW 370 Writing about Experience

The “writing” course. Critically reflect upon your prior learning and write a Portfolio in which you can earn college-level credit.

While the potential is there to earn up to 30 credits for your Portfolio, on average our students earn 15 college credits towards their Degree with their Portfolios.

CREDIT for EXPERIENCE

You can bring in and earn up to 105 credits for prior learning and experience (75 transfer, which can include credit for prior coursework and professional trainings, and up to 30 for Prior Learning Portfolio!)

UMass requirements

• 120 credits to graduate (your UWW requirements fit within these 120)

• 45 residency credits (includes Portfolio credits!)

• General Education courses (GenEds)

• 191 Degree Plan and advisor will help you figure all of this out!

Thanks!Best of luck this semester!

!