Academic Program Specialist

Academic Program Developer

University of Massachusetts Global is a private, nonprofit affiliate of the University of Massachusetts, created to help working adults change their lives through flexible, high-quality education built for real life. Regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the Best Online Programs for 13 consecutive years (2013–2025), the university has a long track record of online innovation. Students across 49 states and internationally can upskill, reskill, and move forward without putting life on hold through technology-enabled, real-world learning. With 55+ fully online, career-focused programs designed around the realities of work, family, and constant change, we remain ever-focused on developing future-ready learners who can thrive in a rapidly shifting world.

This position is open to candidates who currently reside in one of the following approved states from which the role may be performed remotely: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.

About The Role

Develop academic programs in the Degree Works module, update changes, substitutions, and waivers in Degree Works module, perform quality control in development of academic programs, articulate transfer courses, external tests, and military credit into administrative software external courses module, enter individual student transfer coursework into administrative software external courses module, evaluate student transcripts, institution catalogs for institutional eligibility, serve as articulation and program evaluation expert for the Academic Advising community, perform degree conferral processing in Degree Works module Confers and validates degrees and adjusts appropriate student record information in the administrative software system, ensures accuracy of student program records and performs other duties as needed.

Position Duties And Responsibilities

Essential functions: 100% of time

• Assists in the development and maintenance of all academic programs within the Degree Works module
• Assist in the updating of individual student academic programs related to approved exceptions, including waivers and substitutions
• Assist in the testing and troubleshooting of enhancements and problem issues related to Degree Works functionality
• Communicate to staff, faculty, and students regarding remaining degree requirements per the Degree Works audit
• Assist Student Records Division within Student Services in degree conferral questions and diploma and transcript processing
• Communication with advisors pertaining to updating degree completion fields
• Assist in final degree processing

• Evaluate and interprets student records from other institutions to determine transfer eligibility of course work for general education and major requirements where allowed
• Assists in the maintenance and update of administrative software course equivalency database
• Processes transcripts and articulation through the Intelligent Capture system
• Obtains course descriptions and college catalogs by web research and contacting other colleges and universities for the purpose of making accurate course matches; evaluates special population transfer credit for CBE students
• Evaluates transfer credit for CLEP, DSST, AP, IB, military credits (JST transcripts), ACE evaluations, CAP 8, POST, international credential evaluations; communicate with academic departments, admissions, academic advising, & related staff regarding approval of program requirements and transfer coursework
• Communicate with faculty, staff and students regarding transfer articulation procedures and policies
• Review transfer articulations with regards to Transfer Guides and communicates these policies and procedures with personnel from other institutions

• Enforces policies and procedures from the University catalog
• Processes non-coursework approvals and additional requirements
• Assist Academic Advising staff in providing information to students related to academic programs and transfer course articulation
• Assist all other departments (i.e. One Stop, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Teacher Accreditation Department, Deans & faculty, and students) in providing information regarding academic programs, degree progress and conferral
• Maintain student records in a document imaging system
• Uses Banner enterprise system to facilitate communication with students information related to student programs, transfer work and conferral
• Perform additional duties as assigned and required to support the University operations and Student Services division

Position Specifications And Requirements

Special Conditions of Employment: Position may be required to work flexible hours particularly given campuses' extended hours of operation, and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. All applicants are subject to a background check and criminal history review. Working conditions are normal for an office environment.

Previous Experience:

• 1 to 3 years of experience in Direct Customer relations in post-secondary Student Services, Enrollment Services (such as: Registrar, Financial Aid, Admissions functions).
• Demonstrated experience in problem solving/problem resolution
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal and quantitative skills, demonstrating ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population, either online, via phone, or in person
• Demonstrated success working in a high volume active environment calling for independent, proactive thinking skills, and collaborative team work.
• Demonstrated knowledge in federal and institutional record privacy regulations (FERPA)
• Demonstrated understanding of higher education academic policy and procedure requirements, resources, and program requirements
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a supportive, calm service demeanor when dealing with upset or challenging students/clients

Desired Qualifications:

• 1 year of successful experience in post secondary Degree Works and/or Articulation, divsions.
• Ability to effectively and accurately analyze and interpret data
• Experience in maintenance of student divisions within a comprehensive campus portal
• Demonstrated understanding of course equivalency processes, articulation development

Knowledge and Education:

• Bachelor's Degree

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Electronic Devices and Software:

• University Administrative software systems in STUDENT modules (required)
• Office Suite (required)
• Banner (desired)
• Image Now (desired)
• Adobe Connect (desired)

Contact with Students: Rarely

Contact with Faculty and/or Staff: Daily

Contact with Community and Vendors: Periodically

The hiring range for this position is $19.00-$23.70 per hour. Offers are determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to geographical location, knowledge, skills, years & depth of experience, and equity with internal team members.

Benefits And Perks

At the University of Massachusetts Global, we support your total well-being with flexible and meaningful benefits:

• Health: Medical, dental, and vision coverage with spending account options.
• Work-Life Balance: Remote options, flexible schedules, 1/2 day Fridays (biweekly), generous time off, including paid holidays and a paid winter break.
• Financial Security: Life, disability, accident, legal, identity protection, and student debt support.
• Retirement: 403(b) plan with a Roth option. 3% non-elective contribution and up to 6% match for a 9% total employer contribution!
• Education: Tuition discounts for employees and family and Tuition Exchange program with other universities. PSLF eligible employer.
• Wellness: Counseling services, Free Calm Health subscription and year-round wellness programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity – UMass Global is committed to providing an educational and work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any form. UMass Global prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, race (including hairstyle/texture, protective hairstyles, braids, locks, and twists), color, religion (including religious observance, belief, practice dress and grooming practices), citizenship, pregnancy (including temporary physical or mental limitations related to, affected by, or arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), sex, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, legally-protected medical condition, military (past, present or prospective) status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by local, State or Federal law.

Reasonable Accommodation – UMass Global provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any