The University of Massachusetts is a five-campus public research university system renowned for the quality of its academic programs, the scope and excellence of its research, and its enduring adherence to its public service mission. UMass provides access to high-quality, affordable education that advances knowledge and improves the lives of the people of the Commonwealth, the nation and the world.

The University of Massachusetts has been providing high-quality educational opportunities for more than 150 years. It was established in 1863 under the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act as the Massachusetts Agricultural College, located in Amherst. It later became known as the Massachusetts State College in 1932 and in 1947 became the University of Massachusetts. The Medical School and Boston campuses were established in 1962 and 1964, respectively. The Lowell campus, previously the University of Lowell, and the Dartmouth campus, formerly Southeastern Massachusetts University, were consolidated into the University under Chapter 142 of the Acts of 1991.