RAP - Residential Academic Programs

Check out the great variety of RAPs available to first-year students entering Fall 2013!

These Topic RAPs are open to Any First-Year Student:

Careers in Education 
Careers in Law 
Connecting Arts & Society 
Connecting Science & Society 
Connecting Self & Society 
Exploring the Arts 
Exploring Society 
Global Opportunities 
Impact! Service Learning 
Literary Studies 
Politics Today 
Scientific Connections: Immersion in Scientific Method
Social Justice & Activism 
Sustainability  

Follow the steps for How To Join.

Join a RAP and....

  • Become part of a community of students who share a common interest.
  • Take classes with students who live in your residence hall.
  • Connect easily with classmates for study groups and class projects.
  • Receive support and assistance with academic decisions.
  • Enroll in a General Education class in your residential area.
  • Make the large university feel like a smaller place.

Click on the program names above and link to information on each specific RAP:

  • Read a full program description
  • Learn the specific classes and residence halls connected to each RAP

Topic RAPs

Topic RAPs are designed for students who want to live with students who share an interest, either related to their area of study or personal interests. All Topic RAP students receive the benefits of being a Global Pathways Student (GPS).

ALL Topic RAPs include:

  • A one-credit RAP seminar
  • A General Education class (usually a small section of 30 students) 

Both classes are usually taught in the residential area.

These RAP seminars are designed to:

  • Unify the RAP group
  • Provide a structured environment to explore the RAP topic and
  • Smooth the transition to university life.

FOUNDATION RAPs

Foundation RAPs are designed for students who want to have a class in common with other students who live in their residence hall. Foundation RAPs area available in a variety of residence halls. They do not include a seminar.

All Foundations RAPs include a General Education class. It may be a seat in a Main Campus lecture with a designated discussion section for students who live in the same residence hall, or a small section of a class taught in the residential area.

Foundations - Health/Life Sciences RAP
This RAP is specifically designed for students declared or interested in a variety of science related majors.

****************

RAP group photo

 

RAP Sign-up is now OPEN!

Check out how many spaces are still available in each RAP.

Ready to Join? Click here to Join a RAP!

 

There are a wide variety of General Education classes available through RAP. Check out the comprehensive list of classes for Fall 2013. This chart includes specific RAP associations. 

RAPs are located in Residence Halls across campus. View a chart of RAPs by Location for Fall 2013 to see specific placements (revised 3/8/13).

*************

RAPs for Undeclared Students 

Focus RAPs are designed for students entering UMass Amherst without a declared major.

Focus Connections 
Focus Enterprise  
Focus STEM 

*************

RAPs for Declared Majors

Majors RAPs are an opportunity for students to connect early with department faculty, research and initiatives.

Majors RAPs are available for the students entering declared in the following majors:

Communication Majors
Computer Science Majors
Engineering Majors
Nursing Majors
Performing and Visual Arts Majors
Psychology Majors

Majors RAPs always include a seminar and access to department requirements. They rarely include a Gen Ed class. 

*************

RAPs for Commonwealth Honors College Students

Honors RAPs All Honors RAPs are located in the new Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community.

Honors students have the option to choose one of the non-honors RAPs listed on this page.

*************

RAPs by Invitation or Application

These programs have specific restrictions for participation. See the individual links for details.

BioTAP
Emerging Scholars
Isenberg Fellows 
Partners in Education (PiE) 

 

 

Pamela R. Marsh-Williams, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost & Dean

This website is part of Undergraduate Advising & Learning Communities. We provide undergraduate students a variety of opportunities and services designed to facilitate the best academic experience possible. 609 Goodell Building, UMass Amherst.

UA&LC Units: Undergraduate Advising, Residential Academic Programs, Domestic Exchange Programs, Five College Interchange