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Programs of Study

Students who major in English at UMass Lowell can expect a curriculum that combines a solid foundation with diverse opportunities for research, writing, and practical experience.

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The Department of English seeks to offer an intellectually rigorous program of study that will promote lifelong learning. To this end, we provide English majors with a historical foundation in British and American literature and the history of the English language. Leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree, concentrations within the major in literature, writing, and theatre arts recognize students' differing career paths.

In addition, the general minor in English and specialized minors in writing and theatre arts complement degree programs in other disciplines. We also offer numerous electives appealing to majors and non-majors alike.

The Department of English provides all majors with a historical foundation in British and American literary traditions, as well as a thorough background in various interpretive approaches. In addition to fulfilling the University's General Education requirements, majors choose one of four concentrations.

Note: If you began the English major prior to Fall 2010, you are completing your program under the two former concentrations.

Concentrations & Details

For the latest course information please visit the UMass Lowell on-line Academic Catalog.

For admissions information, visit the UMass Lowell Admissions and Aid website:

Freshmen

Transfer Students

All English Department minors are open to students enrolled in any undergraduate college at the University. Students who choose to do a minor in English or Theatre Arts should review the UMass Lowell online Undergraduate Catalog for requirements and consult with an English Department advisor.

Journalism and Professional Writing students at the English End of Year party

English Minors

The Department offers the following minors:

Creative writing faculty Andre Dubus, Maureen Stanton, Sandra Lim, and Maggie Dietz

ENGLISH (GENERAL)

The general English minor offers the flexibility for students to choose coursework that reflects their interests in literature or writing. For the latest information regarding curriculum, course listings, requirements and more please consult the UMass Lowell online Undergraduate Catalog.

For more information, please contact the English Department.

Creative writing capstone students with Prof. Maggie Dietz at end-of-year reading

CREATIVE WRITING

The Creative Writing minor invites students outside the English major who are interested in writing poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to study the reading and writing of those literary genres with a faculty of distinguished writers, and to participate in UMass Lowell’s vibrant community of writers. The flexible curriculum means that students may enroll in two or more English classes of their choice outside of the Creative Writing concentration—courses in Literature, Theatre, or Journalism and Professional Writing. The required upper-level Creative Writing courses will provide students with an outlet for artistry and imagination, and rigorous instruction in essential writing skills—precision, clarity, and vibrancy—that will serve them well in any future career or pursuit of an advanced degree.

For the latest information regarding curriculum, course listings, requirements and more please consult the UMass Lowell online Undergraduate Catalog.

For more information, please contact the English Department.

Journalism and Professional Writing students on a study abroad trip in London

JOURNALISM & PROFESSIONAL WRITING

In this minor, students will learn how to write for an audience as a journalist or a writer in other professional contexts. The sequence requires an Introduction to Professional Writing course and subsequent coursework that focuses on learning different modes of professional writing. Students also have the option of pursuing a capstone project that involves writing in a professional setting, often as part of an internship. Ultimately, the goal of the minor is to prepare students for writing situations and challenges beyond the classroom.

Journalism and Professional Writing students working together on a desktop computer

Careers

Students in the JPW concentration have gone onto a variety of careers in journalism, public relations and marketing, social media managing, and technical writing in a broad variety of fields. We have a vibrant internship program of partnerships exclusively for our student for which minors would be eligible to participate.

Service Learning

Several of our courses are either primarily service learning courses or have service learning components, so students doing these courses can receive additional experience in the working world besides their work in the classroom.

For the latest information regarding curriculum, course listings, requirements and more please consult the UMass Lowell online Undergraduate Catalog.

For more information, please contact the English Department.

UMass Lowell students perform A Midsummer Night's Dream, the comedy written by William Shakespeare in 1595/96.

THEATRE ARTS MINOR

emptyThe interdisciplinary minor in Theatre Arts offers students professional instruction and supervision in the practical work of theatre together with critical study of the history and forms of dramatic literature.

Please see the UMass Lowell online undergraduate catalog for Theatre Arts Minor requirements.

Why Study English at UMass Lowell?

A student gets help with a paper at the Writing Center
Our Writing Center offers free writing support. 
English students in a room discussing Henry David Thoreau at Walden.

First Year Writing Program

Read more about the First Year Writing Program here.
UMass Lowell student Abimalec Martinez sitting at conference table with UML staff

Internship Opportunities

Learn more about internships here.