Overview

University of Massachusetts Boston’s Critical and Creative Thinking MA was ranked as one of the Best Online Graduate Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report. This program focuses on learning and applying ideas and tools in critical thinking, creative thinking, and reflective practice.

Who is this program for

It’s designed for students from a wide array of professions and endeavors looking for personal and professional development to develop clarity and confidence to become constructive, reflective agents of change in education, work, social movements and activism, science, and creative arts.
You’ll experiment and take risks as you apply what you’re learning in the classroom to real-world situations, reflect on these outcomes and revise accordingly, and build a set of tools, practices, and perspectives that work in your specific professional and personal endeavors. Apply these skills to virtually any field — from education to policy making to the arts.

Outcomes and careers

At the end of this two-year program, you’ll be awarded a Master of Arts in Critical and Creative Thinking.
The degree will demonstrate your expertise in the field on your résumé, as well as in interviews and workplace evaluations.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
Processes of Research and Engagement
Action Research for Educational, Professional & Personal Change
Synthesis of Theory and Practice Seminar
Holistic & Transformative Teaching

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-15 00:00:00
Starting 2027-01-27 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Credits

33 SCH

Delivered

On Campus, Online

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Philosophy Creative Writing View 226 other Masters in Philosophy in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Official transcripts of all previous undergrad and graduate work
Three letters of recommendation from former teachers familiar with your recent academic work, or from employers familiar with your professional ability
A statement of interests and intent: The Program’s admissions requirements call for an essay of at least 1200 words in which you explain your intellectual, artistic, professional or personal reasons for wanting to pursue a certificate in Critical and Creative Thinking.
Test Scores: GRE scores are optional to apply for our program. International students should check with Graduate Admissions to inform you of your required tests.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Required from students from countries where English is not the primary language
Declaration and Certification of Finances
Personal Disclosure Form

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

29932 USD / year

≈ 29932 USD / year
Out-of-State

29932 USD / year

≈ 29932 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

15410 USD / year

≈ 15410 USD / year

Living costs

Boston

United States

1560 - 3239 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Critical and Creative Thinking.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Who is this program for

Outcomes and careers

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Boston

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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