Catalog : Degree Pathway for the Bachelor of Arts in English, Creative Writing, Fall 2026 and Beyond

For students who entered fall 2026 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Minimum Credits = 120

Minimum [major] Credits: 36

Maximum [major] that can be counted toward graduation: 54

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.

²Appropriate Creative Writing Electives are listed below.

³Some 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 and 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 and 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 creative writing courses and 12 credits of literature electives as well as Critical Methods (ENGL.2000), Shakespeare 1 or 2 (ENGL.4230 / ENGL.4240), and a 4000 level creative writing capstone course.
• Majors must take at least one course that fulfills the department's Diverse Literary Traditions requirement. Students should consult 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.

Required Courses

One foundation course is required (3 credits):

• ENGL.2000 Critical Methods of Literary Inquiry

Five approved creative writing electives are required (15 credits):

• ENGL.3020 Creative Writing: Fiction I
• ENGL.3030 Creative Writing: Poetry I
• ENGL.3220 Creative Writing: Nonfiction I
• ENGL.3660 Creative Writing: Poetry II
• ENGL.4070 Creative Writing: Fiction II
• ENGL.4180 Creative Writing: Nonfiction II

One 2000 level (or above) literature elective (3 credits):

Any 2000/3000/4000 level literature course qualifies. Review your Advising Report in SIS for the full list.

• ENGL.2/3/4xxx Literature Elective

Three 3000 or 4000 level literature electives are required (9 credits):

Any 3000/4000 level literature course qualifies. Review your Advising Report in SIS for the full list.

• ENGL.3/4xxx Literature Elective

Diverse Literary Traditions (verification requirement)

One of the four literature electives should also satisfy the department requirement for Diverse Literary Traditions. Review your advising report in SIS for the full list.

One of the following is required (3 credits):

• ENGL.4230 Shakespeare 1
• ENGL.4240 Shakespeare 2

One capstone course is required (3 credits):

• ENGL.4500 Creative Writing: Capstone
• ENGL.4030 Literary Publishing
• ENGL.4350 Literary Journalism

Optional: An additional six 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. Many students choose to take two capstone-level creative writing courses, enrolling, for example in ENGL.4030 Literary Publishing in the spring semester of junior year and ENGL.4500 Creative Writing: Capstone in the fall semester of senior year. For students contemplating graduate school in the discipline, additional 3000/4000 level creative writing and literature courses are recommended. Students are encouraged in their junior or senior year to enroll in ENGL.4960 Internship, a course in which students are assigned as interns with community partner organizations to earn course credits. Students planning a career in secondary teaching may consider ENGL.3880 Teaching Writing or ENGL.3890 Teaching Literature.

Creative Writing students are not required to take a minor, but they are encouraged to do so.

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.