Meet Our Students

"Studying English literature at UMass Lowell shaped me into a confident writer. I most enjoyed the small class sizes and how passionate and involved my professors were in each course. I always felt incredibly supported by the faculty and other students and built strong relationships that have lasted me well after graduation.”
— Madison Tammaro

"Every English professor I had was extraordinarily kind, welcoming and helpful. On top of being incredible people, they were incredible educators. They all had so much great joy and took such pride in their work as educators and mentors. The passion they showed every day got me more and more excited to learn. The faculty of the English department are what made being part of the community rewarding.”
— Matt David

Why Choose Literature at UMass Lowell?

Journalism and Professional Writing students working together on a desktop computer

Transform your love of literature and reading into valuable skills for a wide range of career paths. 

In the literature concentration, you will hone your abilities to communicate with clarity and sophistication, tackle challenges with diverse strategies, craft and evaluate arguments, decode visual and written languages, understand global and diverse perspectives and contextualize the present through the lens of the past.

Innovative Curriculum

Your courses will include literature from all historical periods, several electives, theory and methods, and a capstone course or experience. The department also offers experiential and service-learning opportunities, as well as department-led study abroad experiences. 

Sample courses include: 

  • Banned Books
  • Beowulf and Heroic Literature 
  • The Gothic Tradition in Literature
  • African American Drama
  • Asian American Literature
  • Gay and Lesbian Literature
  • Comics in Context: The Graphic Novel
  • Turning Fiction Into Film
  • Literature of the New England Witchcraft Trials

Internships

Dive into our extensive internship program, with placements that help you explore fields such as:

  • Editing and publishing 
  • Broadcasting and communications 
  • Marketing and fundraising 
  • Education 
  • Law and politics 
  • Libraries and museums 
  • Social media, marketing and public relations

Career Options

Our graduates have gone on to diverse careers or continued their studies in graduate and professional degree programs.

Career Areas

  • Teaching 
  • Editing and publishing 
  • Media and communications 
  • Law and government 
  • Nonprofit organizations 
  • Public relations

Graduate Schools

  • Columbia University
  • University of Denver
  • University of Florida
  • University of Michigan