University of Massachusetts Global

What University of Massachusetts Global does

University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) is a private nonprofit online university headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, and a 2026 affiliate of the University of Massachusetts system (formerly Brandman University, originally rooted in Chapman College's 1950s military education programs). The institution delivers 55+ fully online degree and credential programs — associate through doctoral — exclusively to adult learners, with 95% of students working while enrolled and 54%+ caring for dependents. Its two primary learning formats are an instructor-paced model (8-week sessions, $750/credit for credentials up to $3,915/credit for graduate MyPath) and MyPath, a self-paced competency-based platform running on the D2L Brightspace LMS with mastery-based grading and flat-rate subscription tuition per 24-week billing period.

UMass Global's core products span business (BBA, MBA), social work (BA, MSW, DSW), education (Ed.D., MA, teaching credentials, added authorizations), IT/cybersecurity (BS), and organizational leadership (MA), plus professional development certificates with embedded industry credentials (CompTIA, Agile PM). The institution is the second-largest provider of California teaching credentials (4,626 issued 2020–2025) and holds WSCUC, CTC, AAQEP, and CSWE accreditations. The technology backbone is Brightspace with MyPath as a self-developed competency-based layer featuring scenario-based learning, mastery grading (M/WC/NS), and flexible pacing.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition (per-credit and MyPath subscription), supplemented by teaching credential and certificate program fees, with 69% of undergraduates receiving grants or scholarships. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the umassglobal.edu website, six social media channels, and a dedicated Enrollment Coaching Center, layered with employer partnership channels (AAA Accelerate, CHLA, OC Department of Education, Springs Charter, Modesto PD, Habitat for Humanity). The institution employs 251–500 staff and has been ranked among U.S. News & World Report's best online programs for 13 consecutive years.

Name

University of Massachusetts Global

Legal name

University of Massachusetts Global

Website

https://umassglobal.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

UMass Global is a private nonprofit online university and UMass system affiliate serving working adults with 55+ degree, credential, and certificate programs via instructor-paced and self-paced MyPath formats, with a leading California teaching credential pipeline.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB), Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Adult learner programs
• Competency-based education
• Teaching credential programs
• Distance learning degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Degree Program Tuition: Primary revenue from tuition for online associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. Programs offered at different price points depending on format (instructor-paced vs. self-paced MyPath).
2. Teaching Credentials & Authorizations: Revenue from California teaching credentials, authorizations (Bilingual Authorization, Added Authorizations), and education preparation programs accredited by CTC and AAQEP.
3. Professional Development Certificates: Revenue from professional development courses, certificates (CompTIA, HR, Agile Project Management), and stackable credentials for career advancement.
4. Financial Aid Processing: Students may apply for federal financial aid including grants, scholarships, and loans to help finance education. 69% of undergraduates receive grants or scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

UMass Global is a private, nonprofit online university offering 55+ accredited degree programs (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral), California teaching credentials and authorizations, and professional development certificates to working adult learners. Instruction is delivered through two flexible formats—credit-based instructor-paced courses using the Brightspace LMS and the proprietary self-paced MyPath competency-based platform with mastery-based grading. Programs are 100% online, designed for working professionals, and supported by dedicated enrollment coaches and employer partnership discounts.

Product overview

University of Massachusetts Global is a regionally accredited online university offering 55+ online programs for adult learners. The institution operates two primary learning formats: instructor-paced (credit-based, 8-week sessions) and MyPath (self-paced, competency-based education). MyPath uses a flat-rate tuition model per 24-week billing period where students progress by demonstrating mastery. The product portfolio includes degree programs at associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels across Business Administration (BBA, MBA), Information Technology (BS), Cybersecurity (BS), Social Work (BA, MSW, DSW), Education (Ed.D., MA, teaching credentials), and Organizational Leadership (MA), plus professional development certificates (CompTIA Project+, HR Fundamentals, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Agile Project Management). The institution also offers California teaching credentials and authorizations (CTC-accredited), administrative services credentials, and added authorizations for existing credential holders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UMass Global MyPath: Self-paced, competency-based education programs allowing students to progress by demonstrating mastery of defined competencies.

Products and services

• MyPath Self-Paced Competency-Based Programs Competency-based education platform offering self-paced undergraduate and graduate degree programs (AA, BS, BBA, MBA, MA) where students progress by demonstrating mastery of defined competencies rather than earning credit for attendance. Features no fixed class times, mastery-based grading (M/WC/NS), scenario-based learning, and unlimited courses per 24-week billing period under flat-rate tuition.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) 100% online MBA program designed for working professionals, offered in both instructor-paced and self-paced (MyPath) formats through the School of Business & Professional Studies.
• Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Doctoral social work program emphasizing application of knowledge to real-world challenges, preparing students for leadership in clinical practice, management, teaching, or administration; CSWE-accredited.
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership Doctoral program in Organizational Leadership featuring three yearly starts and a streamlined, embedded dissertation process; designed to be completed in approximately 2 years.
• Master of Social Work (MSW) CSWE-accredited online MSW combining online coursework with local in-person fieldwork, offering six starts per year for busy professionals seeking licensure.
• Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Bachelor's degree covering risk management, information security, network defense, and security policies and practices, with opportunities to apply IT certification credits toward the degree.
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (MyPath) Self-paced BS in Information Technology covering IT Foundations, IT Management, IT Operations, and Software Development; includes free industry certifications (CompTIA A+, Microsoft Technology Associate) as part of coursework.
• California Teaching Credentials and Authorizations California teaching credentials including SPED Extensive Support Needs, Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Bilingual Authorization programs authorized by the CTC; positions UMass Global as the second-largest provider of teaching credentials in California (4,626 credentials 2020–2025).
• Master of Arts in Bilingual Education Fully online and asynchronous 30-credit master's program preparing educators to serve linguistically and culturally diverse learners. Covers foundations of multilingualism, language and literacy development, sociolinguistics, equitable assessment, and a bilingual education capstone; allows transfer of up to 9 qualifying graduate credits.
• Added Authorization - Multiple Subject Credential California CTC-authorized added authorization providing additional training for Single Subject Credential holders to teach multiple subjects in K-8 classrooms.
• Preliminary Administrative Services Credential CTC-accredited preliminary credential program for individuals seeking careers in school administration and educational leadership, designed for California residents.
• Professional Development Certificates Stackable professional development certificates including CompTIA Project+, Human Resources Fundamentals, Applied Behavioral Analysis (BCBA exam prep), and Agile Project Management (ACE CREDIT); designed for career advancement.
• Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MyPath) Self-paced master's in organizational leadership where students can complete in under one year; competencies equivalent to 36 credit hours with up to 12 transfer credits allowed.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of alumni would recommend UMass Global
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, moderate and core.

• AAA AccelerateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAAA Accelerate is an employer partner offering discounted education programs to AAA employees through UMass Global's employer benefits program. The partnership provides workforce development opportunities for AAA employees seeking degree completion or career advancement.
• Orange County Department of EducationmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerOrange County Department of Education is a major public education employer partner trusting UMass Global to train their workforce. May offer discounted programs through employer benefits to support teacher professional development.
• Habitat for HumanityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational nonprofit Habitat for Humanity partners with UMass Global to offer discounted education programs to staff through employer benefits, supporting workforce development and career advancement.
• Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerChildren's Hospital Los Angeles is a healthcare employer partner offering UMass Global education programs to employees as part of workforce development and benefits packages.
• Springs Charter SchoolsmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerSprings Charter Schools partner with UMass Global for teacher residency programs and workforce training. The partnership supports teacher preparation and professional development for charter school educators.
• Modesto Police DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerModesto Police Department is a government employer partner offering education benefits to law enforcement personnel through UMass Global programs.
• International Education Research Foundation (IREF)coreTechnology or IntegrationUMass Global requires international applicants to use IREF, WES, or other NACES-accredited member institutions for course-by-course transcript evaluation. This partnership enables international student admissions processing.
• World Education Services (WES)coreTechnology or IntegrationApproved credential evaluation service for international transcript evaluation required for international student admissions. Partners with UMass Global to process international academic credentials.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Capella University: Capella University is an online-focused, for-profit university offering flexible degree programs including competency-based FlexPath options similar to MyPath. Capella directly competes with UMass Global in online graduate and doctoral programs, particularly in business, education, and behavioral health.
• Liberty University Online: Liberty University's online programs serve large numbers of working adults, military students, and graduate learners through flexible, accredited online degrees. Liberty competes with UMass Global in the adult-learner and military-student segments with similar pricing positioning and a similarly broad program catalog.
• Purdue University Global: Purdue Global is the online-focused, for-profit affiliate of Purdue University, offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees targeted at working adults. Like UMass Global, Purdue Global emphasizes employer partnerships, competency-based options, and career-oriented credentials in IT, business, and healthcare.
• Walden University: Walden University is an online university focused on graduate and doctoral programs for working professionals in fields such as education, psychology, social work, and public health. Walden directly overlaps with UMass Global's higher-end graduate offerings in social work, education leadership, and behavioral sciences.
• Western Governors University: WGU is a leading nonprofit, fully online university that pioneered the competency-based, flat-rate tuition model that UMass Global's MyPath platform mirrors. Both institutions target working adult learners with self-paced programs and employer-aligned curriculum, making WGU the most direct comparable in business model and target market.
• Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university with a large online division offering degrees across business, education, healthcare, and IT. GCU shares UMass Global's focus on Christian-affiliated values (historically), adult learners, and a strong emphasis on the education and healthcare verticals in the Western U.S.
• National University: National University is a private nonprofit university based in San Diego, California, offering predominantly online programs with a focus on adult learners, military-affiliated students, and workforce-aligned credentials. Its California base, military-friendly positioning, and adult-learner mission align closely with UMass Global's profile.
• Southern New Hampshire University: SNHU is one of the largest nonprofit online universities in the U.S. with a heavy focus on adult learners and a broad catalog of degree programs. Like UMass Global, SNHU competes in the same online associate, bachelor's, and master's degree markets with comparable tuition positioning and employer partnership strategies.

Broad incumbents

• Arizona State University Online: ASU Online is the online division of Arizona State University, a top-ranked public research university, offering 100+ online degree programs. While ASU is a much larger public institution, its online arm competes head-to-head with UMass Global for adult learners seeking reputable, accredited online degrees with similar program breadth.

Others

• Brandman University (legacy entity): Brandman University was the previous name of UMass Global until its 2026 rebrand; it is now the same legal entity rather than a true peer. It is referenced here for historical context and to highlight the brand transition risk, as legacy Brandman marketing, alumni networks, and partner agreements still carry Brandman identity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UMassGlobal1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/umassglobal
• Facebookfacebook.com/UMassGlobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/umassglobal
• Instagraminstagram.com/umassglobal

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Massachusetts Global