Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [English] From University of Massachusetts

Literary study teaches empathy with others and a critical judgment that recognizes ideology and rejects slogans. Reading and writing, both at increasingly sophisticated levels of complexity, allow students to engage critically with the ethical problems and cultural dilemmas that define our world.

In sum, as a department of writing and literature, English offers an excellent humanistic education, a solid foundation both for students who intend to go directly into a career upon graduation and for those who will go on to graduate or professional schools.

Career Opportunities

The English major emphasizes clear writing, analytical thought, and creative problem solving, all of which are required and sought after in today’s job market. College graduates with a degree in English can enter a wide variety of career fields: business, education, technical writing, public affairs, writing and editing, publishing, or politics. Alternately, students may continue their education in Ph.D. and graduate programs in creative writing, poetry, languages, education, or law. With this flexibility of career fields also comes a broad range of potential employers. English majors can work for public and private schools, colleges, universities, libraries, nonprofit organizations, television stations, newspapers, government agencies, publishing companies, magazines, broadcasting companies, law firms, and trade, professional, and consumer publications. The Department also actively encourages majors to meet with Career Center counselors and to pursue internship opportunities during their time at the University. To help students with career development, we host career panels and other events, bring alums to campus, and every fall offer a small careers workshop.