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:
- Creative & Professional Writing
- English Generalist BA
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.
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Amanda Butcher accepted her college diploma and put her undergraduate studies behind her. Now she is focused on her new job as a Senior Technology Development Program Associate, which grew out of an internship with UnitedHealth Group.
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
- 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