UMass Boston believes that explicit study of the diversity of the world's peoples is an essential component of an undergraduate education. The University defines diversity broadly to include race, gender, culture (national origin, ethnicity, religion), social class, age, sexual orientation, and disability. Attention to cultural and social groups previously ignored or marginalized in curricula helps students acquire analytical tools and knowledge with which they can understand human diversity in our complex and changing world, and strengthens their academic preparation by exposing them to a rich body of scholarship from a wide range of disciplines. All undergraduates at UMass Boston must therefore take courses that address human diversity as a major theme.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, there are two groups of courses to choose from. The courses in one group focus on diversity in the United States, those in the other have an international focus. If you enter UMass Boston with fewer than 60 credits, you must take one course from each group. If you enter UMass Boston with 60 or more credits, you must take one course, which can be drawn from either group.

A listing of diversity courses being offered each semester is printed at the beginning of the Schedule of Courses booklet.