Skip to main content.

English
BA

English is an exciting discipline that challenges you to explore both literature and writing. As an undergraduate English major, you can follow your interests by choosing between two concentrations or a generalist option:

Across all tracks, you'll learn how to:

  • read and think critically
  • write to move audiences
  • engage with literature—and the world—thoughtfully and analytically

The skills you'll develop are essential in today's competitive job market and can lead to rewarding careers in communications, editing, grants writing, journalism, public relations, social media, technical writing, web publishing, teaching middle or high school English, writing for general and specialized audiences, and many other fields. You'll also be prepared for graduate study across many disciplines, such as creative and professional writing, education, law, and library/information science.

Our award-winning faculty members specialize in a wide and diverse range of fields such as creative nonfiction, rhetoric and composition, world and British literature, and many more. 

For the BA, you'll complete at least 36 credit hours in English and communication courses and 120 credits overall. You can follow your interests by choosing between:

  • Literature & Criticism option: Develop your analytical skills as you consider literary texts, language, and the creation of meaning. Hone your ability to critically engage literature through oral, written, and web-produced assignments.
  • Creative & Professional Writing option: Develop your ability to analyze context and rhetorical problems with awareness of cultural diversity to create and compose effective, well-formulated written communication for specific audiences across multiple modalities. You'll study fiction; nonfiction; poetry; journalism,;digital media production; script, drama, and screenwriting; professional writing; and technical writing.
  • Generalist option: A generalist BA in English draws on both the Literature & Criticism and Creative and Professional Writing tracks in the English major. Develop your skills and abilities across English studies, with experiences ranging from critically engage literature to considering how best to write and communicate across genres and for various audiences. Develop a well-rounded perspective and skill set, pulling from across the many facets of the department's areas of expertise. 

Consider a minor to improve your writing, communication, and critical thinking skills: all qualities that employers value highly.



Enrollment in the 3+3 joint degree program with UMass Law allows offers an accelerated pathway to an undergraduate and law degree, enabling qualifying students to substitute the first year of law school for the final year of their undergraduate program, thereby earning both a bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth and a Juris Doctor from UMass Law in six rather than seven years.

Enrollment in the 4+1 Teacher Preparation program allows undergraduate students to begin the education coursework towards a master’s degree in teaching (MAT) as early as the sophomore year. Half of the degree is completed as an undergraduate, reducing the time and costs of earning a graduate degree.

Student Success

Kamryn Kobel in front of the amphitheater.
Kamryn Kobel '24: Prepared for anything

English major builds diverse résumé in English literature and communication.

Internship placements

Akamai Technologies
Zeiterion Theater
Quincy Patriot-Ledger
Nye Laboratories
Spinner Publications
Teaching internships with professors
WGBH Radio

Sample graduate schools

Brown University
Harvard Kennedy School
Holy Name University
University of Pennsylvania

Careers placements

American Conservatory Theatre
Biomedical Advancement Communications
Boston.com
Disney ABC Television Group
Google
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School
The Madison Square Garden Company
WCVB-TV
Yahoo! Sports

English major mean starting salary:
$47,600

NACE Data Collection of Class of 2022 Undergraduate Alumni

UMassD advantages

  • Publish your work in Corridors, an e-journal of student essays; Dart, a pop-culture magazine; or Temper, a literary review; Torch, the university newspaper
  • Pursue internships in communications, editing, journalism, professional writing, publishing, and more
  • Join the Literary Society, write for The Torch student newspaper, or DJ on radio station WUMD
  • Honors College: take advanced courses, pursue research, and be part of a community of scholars
  • Study Abroad: earn academic credits and gain a global perspective on your field
  • Undergraduate Research: faculty work with students on cutting-edge research projects
  • University Studies: gain the benefit of a broad university education to enhance your knowledge and skills
  • Accelerated Degree Programs: Earn your master's degree with only one additional year of study. Juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
  • MA in Professional Writing & Communication: Develop your professional skills in diverse areas of writing such as technical writing, web authoring, journalism, public relations, and creative writing. 
  • Graduate certificate in Professional Writing & Communication: In the 4-course certificate program, you'll develop professional writing skills that focus on specific settings, situations, and communities.
  • 3+3 Law degree: UMass Law’s accelerated program allows you to receive both an undergraduate degree and a law degree in 6 rather than 7 years. In your fourth year, you would matriculate at UMass Law as a first-year law student

English Faculty

Anupama Arora
PhD
Alexis Teagarden
PhD
Christopher Eisenhart
Caroline Gelmi
PhD
Caitlin Amaral
Diane Sousa
Elisabeth Buck
PhD
Eric Casero
Jerry Blitefield
Joshua Botvin
Julie Bowman
Jenny Howe
PhD
Jacqueline O'Dell
PhD
Judy Schaaf
PhD
Jay Zysk
PhD
Jay Zysk
PhD
Katherine DeLuca
PhD
Karen Gulbrandsen
PhD
Laurel Hankins
PhD
Lucas Mann
Meghan Fair
Mwalim Peters
Mary Wilson
PhD
Nancy Benson
Nicholas Santavicca
PhD
Shari Evans
Susan Hagan
Stanley Harrison
Suzanne Wimberly
Susan Savaria
Thomas Hertweck
PhD
Wilbur Higgins
William Nelles
Yuan Zhang
PhD
Zak Sitter