Not sure? That's OK
If you're not ready to choose your major, you’re not alone. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 80% of college students change their major at least once during their college career. 

College is a time for exploration, and UMass Lowell College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences can help you find the liberal arts major that's best for you.

Guided Exploration

Professor and student review artwork in a UMass Lowell art studio
Your first semesters as a ULA student will include a structured curriculum, while you work with a team of dedicated advisors who help you plan your college career and explore opportunities like study abroad and internships.
  • First-Year Seminar for ULA
    Learn about different majors by meeting faculty, students and alumni from across the college. The course also equips you to succeed as a university student, covering topics such as time management, study skills and an introduction to on-campus resources.

  • Breadth of Knowledge Core Curriculum Courses
    In your first semester as a ULA student, you will take courses across departments that fulfill core curriculum requirements. This way, you get to experience a range of departments while satisfying degree requirements, keeping you on track to timely graduation.

  • Advising
    Each ULA student has two dedicated advisors: 
    • Karen Humphrey-Johnson, College of FAHSS Director of Student Success 
    • Professional Advisor – Accredited, trained professionals who support you with issues ranging from academic advising to study skills, housing, financial aid, and student life

  • Exploring Majors & Careers Assessment
    The Career & Co-op Center offers a range of resources to help students, such as career and skills assessments and “What Can I Do With This Major?”

  • Peer Well-Being Leader
    ULA students are encouraged to meet with the FAHSS Peer Well-Being Leaders, who can provide peer coaching on many aspects of college life and beyond. 

Transition

  • Choose a Major
    Once you have chosen a major, you will meet with a faculty member from that department or program and be assigned a faculty advisor. You will discuss your Degree Pathway (your path to graduation), as well as opportunities for experiential learning (study abroad, internships, research with faculty, etc.). 

  • Interested in more than one major?
    You can declare a Bachelor of Liberal Arts (BLA) major, an exciting interdisciplinary program that offers you the opportunity to design a personalized program of study in two disciplines from over 27 options.

Consider Your Interests & Goals

Think about what you want to do with your life—What matters to you? What do you care about? Then ask yourself what skills you will need. For instance, if you are interested in video games, you can choose among several majors to pursue a career in the fast-growing video game industry.

Grow & Engage

A group of UMass Lowell design students in front of Tower Bridge in London.

As you progress in your major, you will work with faculty and staff advisors to explore options for experiential learning, minors, and opportunities beyond graduation.

  • Experiential Learning
    Our diverse experiential learning programs include internships, service learning, faculty-led research, study abroad and more. These unique experiences help you develop and sharpen your intellectual, entrepreneurial, social, self-confidence, emotional and decision-making skills.

  • Interdisciplinary Minors
    Interdisciplinary programs cross the traditional boundaries between academic disciplines and schools of thought as new needs and questions emerge. Since most significant issues have multiple causes, interdisciplinary programs integrate a wide range of perspectives to provide a more comprehensive understanding.

Student Profiles

Hannah Daly talks with Asst. Prof. of Philosophy Nick Evans
Hannah Daly '18
Political Science

Hannah Daly researched the opioid crisis with one professor and the alt-right with another. She’s already published the results of a public opinion survey she helped design, and now she wants to use her research skills to influence public policy on behalf of women.

I really love the Political Science Department at UMass Lowell. The professors really want you to succeed.
Read More About Hannah Daly 
Tariq Brathwaite poses for photo with Prof Andre Dubus III.
Tariq Brathwaite '25
English

Tariq Brathwaite’s superpowers — creativity and work ethic — have already taken him farther than he dreamed possible.

I want to teach creative writing because everyone has a creative side.
Read More About Tariq Brathwaite 
Portrait of Tara Lynch in glasses looking away from the camera
Tara Lynch '15, '19
Psychology, Public Health

Tara Lynch's experience during her undergraduate psychology program practicum working with a community agency to improve outcomes for rape survivors led her to pursue a Master of Public Health.

Designing studies, analyzing risk factors and human behaviors – that's what I'm doing right now, and it's what I love.
Read More About Tara Lynch 
Nick Jarek adjusts a video camera in a digital media studio at UMass Lowell
Nick Jarek '23
Digital Media

A summer co-op job with the DifferenceMaker program gave Nick Jarek a wider lens on his future career.

I love it here. The people I’ve met are so interested in helping me succeed.
Read More About Nick Jarek 
UMass Lowell student Wonder Ahiatsi poses with economics Professor Tommaso Tempesti.
Wonder Ahiatsi '23
Quantitative Economics

Wonder Ahiatsi chose UMass Lowell for its B.S. in quantitative economics.

Issues of economic policy affect the well-being of countries.
Read More About Wonder Ahiatsi