Prospective students

GRADUATE PROGRAMS - PROSPECTIVES

This page needs to be revised. It could be a landing page that provides brief info for both undergrad and grad prospective students before funneling them to the appropriate places. Still thinking this through. Also thinking through the link labeling -- "Future students" vs. "Prospective students" vs. "Admissions" etc.

UNDERGRAD PROSPECTIVES

The Department of English at UMass Amherst offers all of the opportunities that come with a large department at a research university alongside small classes where instructors know their students by name. Students combine foundations courses and electives to customize the major to match their interests.

• English major requirements include a mix of foundations courses and electives
• Specializations in subject areas such as writing, digital technology, and social justice
• Career preparation, internships, and advising
• Essay competitions and scholarships
• Honors in English
• Becoming a tutor in the Writing Center
• Events, such as the Troy Lecture, open to students and the public
• A wide variety of courses

Why Major in English?

Undergraduate Studies in English at the University of Massachusetts Amherst offers the opportunities that come with a large department and a research university along with the small classes and sense of community you might associate with a private liberal arts college. The department faculty includes a host of internationally known professors whose widely published research puts them at the forefront of their fields and whose research and writing enriches what they teach and how they teach it. But unlike many other universities, and many other departments on campus, the English Department continues to provide small classes, on the principle that students learn best, and especially learn to write and read best, in small classes. While we do offer a handful of lecture courses--taught by lively and popular teachers--most courses in the department have 20 to 35 students and include plenty of discussion of readings and attention to writing.

Amid the diversity of our offerings is a common commitment to developing the student's ability to analyze literary and cultural texts and contexts, and to write clear, persuasive, and graceful prose. We encourage you to think outside the box – and make language a source of your power in the world. These reading, thinking, and writing skills will enhance your capacity for persuasion, leadership, clarity, and interpersonal effectiveness in whatever career you pursue.

Careers

The English major affords students the ability to write and speak well, to think analytically and critically, and to solve problems quickly, all of which are required and sought after in today's job market. Knowing this, college graduates with a degree in English can enter into a wide variety of career fields: public affairs, business, politics, education, administration, writing, editing or publishing. Students may continue their education in Ph.D. programs or professional schools. With this flexibility of career fields also comes a broad range of potential employers: English majors can work for newspapers, government agencies, public and private schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, television stations, publishing companies, magazines, broadcasting companies, and law firms. 

To help students explore possible career paths, we offer a career exploration course, encourage internships, and invite you to customize your own experience in the major by choosing one or more specializations.

Small classes

Unlike many other universities, and many other departments at UMass, the English department continues to provide small classes, on the principle that students learn best, and especially learn to write and read best, in small classes. While we do offer a handful of lecture courses—taught by lively and popular teachers—most courses in the department are capped at 20 to 35 students to allow for plenty of discussion of readings and attention to writing.

A diverse faculty of researchers and writers 

Our faculty includes a host of internationally known professors whose published research and writing puts them at the forefront of their field and enriches what they teach and how they teach it. Our faculty also serve as knowledgeable advisors, offering one-to-one guidance to majors as they progress toward their degrees and think about life beyond UMass.

A sense of community

English is a popular major, with more than 600 majors and pre-majors, and a commitment to social and intellectual diversity. Within this large number are many thriving sub-groups and specialized communities. These communities have developed, for instance, around our popular specializations, study abroad opportunities, and student-run organizations, such as the literary magazine Jabberwocky.

The opportunities of a large research university

Because of its size, the English department is able to offer rewarding learning opportunities for every kind of learner. Take Honors courses or write a senior thesis. Take a field trip to the Renaissance Center or UMass special collections to see rare manuscripts and primary source materials. We offer courses on topics that range from Shakespeare to video games, from fiction writing to web design. Browse our current course offerings and specializations to learn more.

We work to inspire our students, and in turn, they inspire us with their ability to explore established schools of thought and form new ideas. These students move on to a myriad of careers, shaping new realities in the world around them by applying the passion and skills they garner at UMass Amherst.