Gain the Literacy Skills Employers Seek with an Online Bachelor's in English
Through our affordable and flexible online Bachelor's in English program, you will develop a solid liberal arts foundation and critical thinking, reading and writing skills that will serve you well in any career or academic pursuit. Our B.A. in English offers a curriculum grounded in British and American literature, the study of contemporary critical methods and regular research and writing practice. English majors pursue a wide range of career paths in publishing, law, journalism, teaching, creative writing, marketing and professional and technical writing.
Career Outlook
Occupations
- Advertising Executive
- Author/Writer
- Communications Manager
- Content Strategist
- Copywriter
- Desktop Publisher
- Editor
- Elementary School Teacher
- Middle or High School Teacher
- Journalist
- Librarian
- News Reporter
- Paralegal
- Proposal Manager
- Public Relations Specialist
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers
- Technical Writer
- Web Content Manager
"Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations."
Key Takeaways
In addition to a well-rounded liberal arts education, you will gain the following abilities through our English degree curriculum:
- Cultural and historical understanding of literature
- Genre and rhetorical awareness
- Analytical reading skills
- Process-based writing skills
- Ethical research methods
- Critical oral communication skills

Success Story
"Being an online and transfer student at UMass Lowell has exceeded everything I ever expected. They had my back the whole way — in the financial aid department, with the transfer of my credits, the advisors, the professors, everything."

Kristin S.
Curriculum Outline
- Program for students accepted prior to Fall 2015
- Number of Courses Required: 40 (120 credits)
- View Course Descriptions »
English Major Requirements (12-18 Courses / 36-54cr)
A maximum of 18 English courses (54cr) may count toward your degree program, and a total of 66 credits must be taken outside of the English major.
Required 2000-Level Courses (3 Courses / 9cr)
- ENGL.2070 English Studies in a Digital Environment (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.2810 British Literary Traditions (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.2820 American Literary Traditions (3cr)
Theory/Composition/Language Requirement - Choose (1 Course / 3cr)
- ENGL.3070 History of the English Language (3cr)
- ENGL.3080 Analysis of Modern English (3cr)
- ENGL.3150 Old English Language and Literature (3cr)
- ENGL.3770 Theories of Rhetoric and Composition (3cr)
- ENGL.3880 Undergraduate Seminar on the Teaching of Writing (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.3920 Visual Rhetoric (3cr)
- ENGL.4290 Introduction to Literary Theory (3cr)
Major Author Course Requirement - Choose (1 Course / 3cr)
Additional major author courses are currently under development.- ENGL.4010 Selected Authors (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.4210 Chaucer (3cr)
- ENGL.4230 Shakespeare I (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.4240 Shakespeare II (3cr)
Capstone Course - (3cr)
Capstone Course: All students must complete one capstone course in English (3cr) Take one 4000-level English course to meet the capstone course requirement.
English Electives - Choose at least 6 (18-36cr)
A maximum of 12 courses/36 credits are allowed as English Department electives. At least 4 English Electives must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Students may select their English Department elective courses from any of the above English courses not already used toward the requirements above, or from any other 2000-level or higher English courses. At least one of the student's English Department courses must fulfill the English Department's Diverse Literary Traditions requirement.- ENGL.2020 Great Books of the Modern Period (3cr)
- ENGL.2100 Drama (3cr)
- ENGL.2110 Poetry (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.2120 The Short Story (3cr) - Available Summer 2023!
- ENGL.2160 Monsters, Apes & Nightmares (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.2170 The Horror Story (3cr) - Available Summer 2023!
- ENGL.2180 Comedy (3cr)
- ENGL.2240 Business Writing (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.2260 Scientific and Technical Communication (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.2270 Essay Writing for English Majors (3cr)
- ENGL.2320 Turning Fiction into Film (3cr)
- ENGL.2360 Science Fiction and Fantasy (3cr)
- ENGL.2380 Introduction to Creative Writing (3cr) - Available Summer 2023!
- ENGL.2430 Contemporary Women Writers (3cr)
- ENGL.2460 Gay & Lesbian Literature (3cr)
- ENGL.2980 Children's Literature (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.3000 Intro to Journalism (3cr)
- ENGL.3020 Creative Writing: Fiction (3cr) - Available Summer 2023!
- ENGL.3030 Creative Writing: Poetry (3cr)
- ENGL.3070 History of the English Language (3cr)
- ENGL.3080 Analysis of Modern English (3cr)
- ENGL.3110 The South in American Literature (3cr)
- ENGL.3140 Mystery Writing (3cr)
- ENGL.3150 Old English Language and Literature (3cr)
- ENGL.3170 British Literature of the Twentieth Century (3cr)
- ENGL.3200 Personal and Reflective Writing (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.3240 Writing About Place (3cr)
- ENGL.3250 The Rise of the Novel (3cr)
- ENGL.3330 American Autobiography (3cr) - Available Summer 2023!
- ENGL.3350 American Women Novelists (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.3370 The Gothic Tradition in Literature (3cr)
- ENGL.3410 Studies in Film (3cr) - Available Summer 2023!
- ENGL.3490 Arthurian Literature (3cr)
- ENGL.3530 Literature of the Seventeenth Century (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.3700 Contemporary American Fiction (3cr)
- ENGL.3760 African-American Literature (3cr)
- ENGL.3770 Theories of Rhetoric and Composition (3cr)
- ENGL.3790 Post Colonial Literature (3cr)
- ENGL.3830 Theatre History II: Nineteenth Century to the Present (3cr)
- ENGL.3880 Undergraduate Seminar on the Teaching of Writing (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.3920 Visual Rhetoric (3cr)
- ENGL.4010 Selected Authors (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- ENGL.4290 Introduction to Literary Theory (3cr)
- ENGL.4960 Internship I (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
The above list is partial and subject to change. Check the program website each semester for the most up-to-date list of online English course electives (courses with the ENGL.xxxx prefix).
University Core Curriculum (12 Required Courses / 36-38 credits)
Breadth of Knowledge Requirements
- ENGL.1010 College Writing I (3cr) - Available Summer 2023!
- ENGL.1020 College Writing II (3cr) - Available Summer 2023!
- MATH.---- Mathematics Perspective (MATH) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Social Sciences Perspective (SS) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Social Sciences Perspective (SS) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Social Sciences Perspective (SS) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Science with Lab Course (SCL) - 3-4cr.**
- ----.---- Science with Lab Course (SCL)- 3-4cr.**
- ----.---- STEM Course (STEM) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Arts & Humanities Perspective (AH) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Arts & Humanities Perspective (AH) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Arts & Humanities Perspective (AH) - 3cr.
**Note: Some Science with Lab Perspective courses have a lab incorporated into a 3-credit course, while others require that a 1-credit lab be taken alongside a 3-credit course.
Essential Learning Outcomes
In addition to the above Breadth of Knowledge courses, you must fulfill all of the University's seven "Essential Learning Outcomes" (ELOs) as you progress through your degree program. The Essential Learning Outcomes and their abbreviations are:
- Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA): Be a thoughtful, aware citizen of the global community.
- Information Literacy (IL): Find, evaluate, and synthesize information effectively and persuasively.
- Social Responsibility and Ethics (SRE): Shape the world to improve life in your community and beyond.
- Written and Oral Communication (WOC): Express ideas to professional peers with purpose and clarity.
- Quantitative Literacy (QL): Be skilled in the many forms and varieties of numerical analysis.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (CTPS): Evaluate ideas and evidence rationally to produce and implement solutions.
- Applied and Integrative Learning (AIL): Synthesize knowledge and abilities in meaningful practice.
Courses that fulfill the ELO requirement are coded with DCA, IL, SRE, WOC, QL, CTPS and AIL. TIP: Look for Breadth of Knowledge courses and courses required for your degree that offer more than one of these ELO designations, so you can conveniently complete these ELO requirements as you take your required courses.
See the list of Core Curriculum Courses currently available through Graduate, Online & Professional Studies.
For additional information on the Core Curriculum requirement, visit https://www.uml.edu/Academics/undergraduate-programs/gened/Core-Curriculum/
Foreign Language Requirement
Choose the World Languages Track or the World Ready Track to fulfill your language requirement. Please complete the Language Requirement FAHSS Form to declare which track you will pursue upon acceptance into the Bachelor of Arts program.
Option 1: World Languages Track
Take four consecutive courses in Spanish or French.
- ----.---- Foreign Language Level 1 (3cr)
- ----.---- Foreign Language Level 2 (3cr)
- ----.---- Foreign Language Level 3 (3cr)
- ----.---- Foreign Language Level 4 (3cr)
Option 2: World Ready Track
Take two consecutive courses in a foreign language and three World Ready Track courses. World Ready Track courses are conducted in English and focus on the culture, civilization, philosophy, literature, history, politics of the region(s) in which the language you declared is spoken.
- ----.---- Foreign Language Level 1 (3cr)
- ----.---- Foreign Language Level 2 (3cr)
- ----.---- World Ready Pre-Approved or Flex Course (3cr)
- ----.---- World Ready Pre-Approved or Flex Course (3cr)
- ----.---- World Ready Pre-Approved or Flex Course (3cr)
World Ready French Courses
-
- ARHI.3360 Arts of Sub-Saharan Africa
- ARHI.3470 French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
- ENGL.3411 International Cinema Studies: French New Wave
- WLFR.3050 World Ready Topic for French Track
-
- ARHI.3130 American Art
- ENGL.3332 Autobiographies of Paris Modernism
- WLFR.3050 World Ready Topic for French Track
-
- ARHI.3470 French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism - Available Summer 2023!
- WLFR.3050 World Ready Topic for French Track - Available Summer 2023!
World Ready Spanish Courses
-
- ARHI.3151 Islamic Art and Contemporary Society
- PHIL.3880 Latin American Philosophy
- WLSP.4045 Cervantes' Don Quijote in translation
-
- ARCH.3140 American Architecture (Formerly ARHI.3140)
- ARHI.3250 Studies in Latin American Art
- ARHI.3350 The Golden Age of Spanish Art
- PHIL.3880 Latin American Philosophy
-
- PHIL.3880 Latin American Philosophy
- POLI.3700 Latin American Politics - Available Summer 2023!
- WLSP.3050 World Ready Topic Spanish Track - Available Summer 2023!
World Ready Flex Courses
- ARHI.3360 Arts of Sub-Saharan Africa
- ARHI.3470 French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
- ENGL.3411 International Cinema Studies: French New Wave
- WLFR.3050 World Ready Topic for French Track
- ARHI.3130 American Art
- ENGL.3332 Autobiographies of Paris Modernism
- WLFR.3050 World Ready Topic for French Track
- ARHI.3470 French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism - Available Summer 2023!
- WLFR.3050 World Ready Topic for French Track - Available Summer 2023!
-
- ARHI.3151 Islamic Art and Contemporary Society
- PHIL.3880 Latin American Philosophy
- WLSP.4045 Cervantes' Don Quijote in translation
-
- ARCH.3140 American Architecture (Formerly ARHI.3140)
- ARHI.3250 Studies in Latin American Art
- ARHI.3350 The Golden Age of Spanish Art
- PHIL.3880 Latin American Philosophy
-
- PHIL.3880 Latin American Philosophy
- POLI.3700 Latin American Politics - Available Summer 2023!
- WLSP.3050 World Ready Topic Spanish Track - Available Summer 2023!
World Ready Flex Courses
To receive credit for World Ready Flex Courses, students must submit an Exception Form signed by the instructor by the end of the course acknowledging that the student completed substantive course work related to their chosen language track.
-
- HIST.2740 Native American History
- HIST.2960 United States Diplomatic History
-
- HIST.2740 Native American History
-
- ENGL.3410 Studies in Film - Available Summer 2023!
- HIST.2490 The Vietnam War - Available Summer 2023!
- HIST.2740 Native American History - Available Summer 2023!
For additional details on the foreign language requirements, visit the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences website https://www.uml.edu/FAHSS/Languages-Cultures/Language-Requirement.aspx.
Non-English Elective Courses and Balance of Required Credits
Students must complete at least two non-English elective courses at the 3000 or 4000 level. Additionally, all students must complete the balance of the 120 minimum credits required to earn their degree.
Course Descriptions
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020.
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020, or instructor permission
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020, or English Majors
Prerequisites:
ENGL 1010,102, 227 or 229 or 2
Prerequisites:
Pre-Req: ENGL.1010/102 College Writing I & II
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL 2270or 229or 238or 239 Pr
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010, 42.102
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020.
Prerequisites:
ENGL 2000,or 227,or 238,or 239
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1020
Prerequisites:
Pre-Req: ENGL.1010/102 College Writing I & II
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Prerequisites:
ENGL.1010/1020 pre-req
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
All bachelor's degree candidates are required to earn a minimum 2.000 cumulative grade point average (GPA), to present a minimum of 120 semester hours, to fulfill the residency requirements, to conform to the general regulations and requirements of the University, to satisfy the regulations and academic standards of the colleges which exercise jurisdiction over the degrees for which they are matriculating, to satisfy the curriculum requirements established by the departments or programs in their major, and to complete the University's Core Curriculum requirements, which are listed within the program's curriculum outline. For additional information regarding the University's general policies and procedures, transfer credit information and residency requirements; please refer to our Academic Policies & Procedures.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
Summer 2023 Tuition |
Cost Per Credit | Cost Per 3-Credit Course* |
---|---|---|
Undergraduate |
||
Online | $380 | $1,140 |
Online Business** | $385 | $1,155 |
On Campus Lowell | $340 | $1,020 |
On Campus Haverhill | $300 | $900 |
Additional Costs |
|
---|---|
Term Registration Fee | $30 |
Late Fee | $50 |
Undergraduate Degree Application | $60 |
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator
Looking for Financial Assistance?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Bachelor's in English right for me?
If you enjoy reading, writing and clear communication, a B.A. in English is a good choice for you. Many students find English an enjoyable, flexible major. English courses are known for lively discussion and debate, enhancing your ability to articulate perspectives and ideas. A degree in English will open diverse job opportunities, so even if you are not interested in a writer or teacher career, you may still consider this degree path.
Is a degree in English worth it?
Yes, English graduates possess valuable skills that are in high demand by employers today. English majors are insightful critical thinkers and strong communicators who work in countless industries. An English degree is one of the most versatile degrees in the humanities. Graduates often pursue careers in editing, advertising and writing and work with various cultural organizations, including theatres, libraries, museums, and nonprofit organizations.
How hard is an English degree?
Studying English may come naturally if you are a fast reader and a good writer. However, even literary experts continuously hone their reading, writing and research skills. If you find the program's reading and writing requirements challenging, learning support services are available to ensure your success.
How long does it take to complete my degree online?
With our generous transfer policy, you can complete your bachelor's in as little as 12-36 months, but you have as much time as you need to complete the bachelor's degree program. There are no time limits placed on your progress.
Apply
Applying into an Undergraduate Degree Program
Complete the Online Undergraduate Degree Application Form (preferred), or print, complete and submit the Undergraduate Degree Application .pdf form. Please note: Your application will be processed once we have received your $60 application fee. Return your completed application along with your application fee to:
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies
GPS Admissions
839 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01854
Questions? See our helpful Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for acceptance into a bachelor's degree program offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies, students must hold a high school diploma or have passed either the GED® or HiSET®. Graduate, Online & Professional Studies operates on a rolling admissions basis and each application is reviewed when the student's file is complete. Students must be admitted to a degree or certificate program in order to be eligible for most financial aid.
Questions Regarding Your Undergraduate Application?
Email OCE_Admissions@uml.edu or call 978-934-2474.
For General Assistance:
Call the Advising Center at 978-934-2474 or 800-480-3190. Our academic advisors are here to help!