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Liberal Arts and English Degrees Online

Online english liberal arts student sitting at a computer

Liberal Arts and English Degrees Online

Find Your Program Apply Now
Find Your Program Apply Now

Liberal Arts and English Degrees Online

Become an expert communicator, thinker and problem-solver while expanding your job opportunities by earning a liberal arts or English degree online. UMass Lowell's top-ranked online programs will help you turn your love for reading, writing, talking, brainstorming and social justice into a rewarding career.

Liberal Arts and English Degrees Online or On-Campus

  • Contemporary Communications
    On Campus | Hybrid | Online
  • English, B.A.
    On Campus | Hybrid | Online
  • Liberal Arts, B.L.A.
    With Concentrations in Art History, Criminal Justice, Disability Studies, Economics, English, Gender Studies, Graphic Design, History, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology
    On Campus | Hybrid | Online

English and Liberal Arts Careers

English and liberal arts majors may choose to move on to graduate school or find rewarding careers in many different fields. English graduates often pursue positions in education, publishing, marketing, journalism, library science and law. Liberal arts graduates are prepared for a wide range of career options based on their selected concentrations.

27.32M
Jobs
+5.3%
% Change (2015-2023)
$54.3K/yr
Median Earnings
4,992,848
Annual Openings
Source: Lightcast, 2023, Liberal Arts and English Jobs in the United States
"According to studies from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers often rank skills such as critical thinking and communication — hallmarks of a liberal arts education — above technical aptitude as essential skills for career readiness."
— U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Career Outlook, "Putting Your Liberal Arts Degree to Work."

Top Companies Hiring UMass Lowell English and Liberal Arts Graduates

  • Amazon
  • Boston Public Schools
  • Brookline Public Schools
  • Cambridge Public Schools
  • Fidelity Investments
  • Harvard University
  • IBM
  • Lawrence Public Schools
  • Lowell Public Schools
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Middlesex Community College
  • Raytheon Technologies
  • Santander Bank
  • Springfield Public Schools
  • Teach for America
  • TJX
library books

What Can You Do with an English Degree?

Years ago, degrees paved linear pathways to specific careers, and a degree in English might have limited your options to teaching, writing or editing roles. Today, an English degree will prepare you for a diverse range of positions spanning many different job titles and industries.

Discover What You Can Do with an English Degree.

Real Faculty. Real Campus. Real Research.

Learn from UMass Lowell's world-class Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences faculty. They are scholars renowned for their engaging instruction and commitment to helping each student find the ideal career path.

The English Department offers courses in American and British literature, journalism, theatre arts and writing to improve your writing, research and reading skills. The liberal arts program allows you to customize your learning experience by offering concentrations in:

  • Art History
  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • English
  • Gender Studies
  • Graphic Design
  • History
  • Legal Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Psychology

Highest Lifetime ROI

UMass Lowell has the highest lifetime return on investment for public research universities in Massachusetts. The English and liberal arts programs offer among the most affordable online tuition rates in the nation and accept up to 90 transfer credits, allowing you to complete your degree in just 12-24 months. Additionally, substantial scholarships, grants and other financial aid opportunities are provided.

young student studying

Liberal Arts Builds Skills in High Demand

Joseph Lipchitz, an emeritus faculty member in UMass Lowell's College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, sums up the meaning of liberal arts: "Liberal arts teaches one how to think as opposed to what to think."

Learn more about the Value of a Liberal Arts Degree.

Student Stories

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"My experience at UMass Lowell has been amazing. When I first transferred, I took a few classes on campus. Taking classes on campus and utilizing the resources UMass Lowell offers was nice. My work schedule began ramping up, so I started taking some online classes. I ended up loving the online classes and stuck with them. I haven't taken a course on campus for years. Online courses give me the flexibility to do my school work on my schedule and terms."

Daniel Walsh

Bachelor's in Liberal Arts

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"I'm 31. I felt like I had missed the college experience because I was taking care of my grandparents, but with UMass Lowell, I have no regrets. I definitely chose the right school for me."

Sierra Duncan

Bachelor's in English

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"When I started the program, I definitely wasn't sure what to expect. The professors were so helpful and so engaging and they gave you that push to keep going and I started to enjoy it more ... I enjoyed everything I learned, every class I took really engaged me and so I didn't mind going through the summers."

Sarah Nickerson

Bachelors in Liberal Arts

Upon graduation, you may take advantage of the worldwide network of UMass alumni.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • An English degree will prepare you for a diverse range of positions spanning many different job titles and industries. Although teaching and writing jobs are still abundant, today's English graduates often pursue careers in marketing, public relations, law, medical scribing and more. Learn more about what you can do with an English degree.
  • 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.
  • A liberal arts curriculum includes courses in various subjects, including literature, history, mathematics, philosophy, and social and physical sciences. This highly versatile degree enables you to develop a strong foundation in multiple fields and industries. Liberal arts graduates tend to have a well-rounded educational background and strong critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Liberal arts graduates are highly employable in more diverse fields than ever before. As such, starting salaries for those who possess B.L.A. degrees have risen. According to a 2018 report by labor market analytics firm Lightcast and the Strada Institute for the Future of Work, the most valuable workers have the technical knowledge and the "uniquely human skills" that a liberal arts education provides.

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