Skip to Main Content

English

Sample Degree Pathway for English - Journalism and Professional Writing Concentration


For students who entered fall 2015 and beyond. 

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course #Course NameCredits
Total16
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I / FYSH (CW)
3
FAHS.1090First Year Seminar1
MATH.xxxxMath Persp. (MATH) - MATH.1110 (QL) recommended4
3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 1 Culture 
3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)
3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective
3

Spring Semester

Course #Course NameCredits
Total15/16
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)
3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 2 Culture3
xxxx.xxxxScience with/Lab Persp. (SCL)
3/4
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxxFree Elective or Minor/Major Elective
3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course #Course NameCredits
Total15/16
ENGL.2000Critical Methods (CTPS) 3
ENGL.2390Intro to Professional Writing
3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxScience with/Lab Persp. (SCL)
3/4
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 3 Culture or World Ready Elective13

Spring Semester

Course #Course NameCredits
Total15
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective33
ENGL.3xxxWriting Elective23
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)
3
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 4 Culture or World Ready Elective1
3

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course #Course NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxTheory/Composition/Language3 (AIL)
3
ENGL.3/4xxxWriting Elective2
3
ENGL.3/4xxxWriting Elective2
3
xxxx.xxxxSTEM Persp. (STEM)
3
xxxx.xxxxWorld Ready Elective1 or Free Elective
3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course #Course NameCredits
Total15
ENGL.3/4xxxWriting Elective2
3
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective3 (DCA), (SRE)
3
ENGL.3/4xxxOptional English or Free Elect.
3
xxxx.3/4xxxFree or Minor Elective
3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course #Course NameCredits
Total15
ENGL.4230 /
ENGL.4240
Shakespeare 1 / Shakespeare 2 (WOC), (IL)
3
ENGL.3/4xxxOptional English or Free Elect.
3
ENGL.4xxxCapstone3 3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective
3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective
3

Spring Semester

Course #Course NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxWriting Elective2
3
ENGL.3/4xxxOptional English or Free Elect.
3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective
3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective
3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective
3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture/history/literature/film related to that language, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.

2See list of options for writing electives.

3See requirements for literature electives, Theory/Composition/Language, capstone, and portfolio requirements below. One literature elective must fulfill the department’s Diverse Traditions requirement. Some students may satisfy the Diverse Traditions requirement with a 2000 level course and should consult with their advisors to be sure that they will also satisfy both the DCA SRE ELOs.

4Quantitative Literacy (QL) is fulfilled outside the English major. The department recommends that all majors take MATH.1110 which fulfills both the Math Breadth of Knowledge requirement and the Quantitative Literacy ELO. See QL course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill this requirement.

A minimum of 36 credits, appropriately distributed, is required in English department courses. Students may not exceed the maximum of 54 credits of English department courses (not counting College Writing I II). At least 66 credits must be earned outside of the major.

  • In order to graduate, students must earn a cumulative 2.200 grade point average for all English department courses, with the exception of College Writing I and II.
  • Students must complete 15 credits of advanced writing courses; 9 credits of literature electives; Intro. to Professional Writing (ENGL.2390); Critical Methods (ENGL.2000); Shakespeare 1 or 2 (ENGL.4230 / ENGL.4240); and a 4000 level capstone course or practicum.
  • Majors must take at least one course that fulfills the department's Diverse Traditions requirement. Students should consult the AR in SiS for the department's list of approved courses.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Writing Requirements

Two foundation courses are required (6 credits):

  • ENGL.2390 Introduction to Professional Writing (must be completed before taking any advanced writing courses)
  • ENGL.2000 Critical Methods of Literary Inquiry

Five approved writing electives are required (15 credits):

One capstone course is required (3 credits):

Any 4000 level writing course on the list above or ENGL.4900 Directed Study in Writing (must be pre-arranged with faculty approval).

Portfolio Requirement:

Students must submit an electronic portfolio of work to a JPW faculty committee in order to graduate. This portfolio should include a resume and cover letter, and substantial written and/or multimedia work created for a public audience, including assignments from relevant coursework, output from extracurricular activities, and work done as part of an internship.

Additional Requirements

Two literature electives are required (6 credits):

Students take at least two 3000/4000 level literature courses (any 3000 or 4000 level literature course qualifies).

One of the following Theory/Composition/Language courses is required (3 credits):

One of the following is required (3 credits):

Optional: Up to six free English electives may be taken (0-18 credits):

Additional English courses (up to six courses within the 54 credit limit) may be taken in literature, theatre, or writing. For students contemplating graduate school in the discipline, additional 3000 or 4000 level writing and literature courses are recommended. Students planning a career in secondary teaching should consider the Undergraduate Seminar on the Teaching of Writing.