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Bachelor of Liberal Arts
Degree
Now available on campus, online or a mix of both!
The Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree, offered through UMass Lowell's
College of Arts & Sciences in collaboration with Continuing Studies, provides students with a
well-balanced liberal arts curriculum, while offering them the
opportunity to pursue in-depth study in two areas of concentration.
Concentrations are available in Art History, English, History, Legal
Studies, Psychology and Women’s Studies.
 The convenience and flexibility of this program make it an ideal choice
for working adults, transfer students, and for students whose education
plans were previously interrupted. The program is also popular among
students who plan to eventually attend graduate school, and those
interested in multicultural studies, museum and archival studies, and
positions within nonprofit organizations and government.
A key advantage to UMass Lowell’s BLA degree is that it offers students
the flexibility to customize their educational program to their
particular areas of interest. Students can focus their studies in two
areas of concentration consisting of 8 to 10 courses per concentration.
Note: For students entering the program in or after September 2006, the
minimum required GPA for the student graduating from the BLA degree
program is 2.5
Concentration Areas
Students are required to take 8-10 courses from each of their two
concentrations (48-60 credits total). At least four of the required
courses from each concentration must be taken at the 300/400 level.
Students are encouraged to discuss their course selections with their
Faculty Program Coordinator.
Art History
The Art History Concentration provides students with an academic
foundation appropriate for pursuing a career in the arts. Graduates of the
program enjoy a wide-range of professional opportunities in institutions
such as museums, art galleries, publishing companies and auction houses
– working in such positions as museum curators, art librarians, antiques
dealers, teachers, and art columnists to name a few. The primary focus
of the Art History Concentration is to create visually literate students
with a fundamental understanding of the historical development of art in
societies and cultures around the world. Students pursuing this
concentration will further develop the ability to organize their
perceptions and thoughts about artwork so that they can provide a
well-informed analysis that honors the historical and cultural context
of the artwork. They learn how to use professional skills and methods in
their visual analysis and how to better articulate their personal interpretation of the artwork.
Some of the courses that may be included in the Art History
concentration are:
58.101 Art Appreciation
58.203 History of Art I: Prehistoric to Medieval Art
58.204 History of Art II: Renaissance to Modern
58.221 Twentieth Century Art
58.300 Art History, Music and Culture
58.321 Italian Renaissance Art
58.330 Italian Mannerist Art
58.340 Women and Art
58.345 Pre-Raphaelite Art
A more comprehensive list of electives is available in each semester's
bulletin or on our website.
English Concentration
The English Concentration provides students with a comprehensive
foundation in English – from learning how to write and present
information in a factual and engaging manner, to studying classic and
contemporary works of English and American literature. The English
Department at UMass Lowell has built an extraordinary program of study
designed to give students the tools they need to succeed in a variety of
professions. Graduates of the program pursue careers in fields that draw
upon liberal arts training including journalism, marketing, publishing,
communications, library science, museum management, theatre arts,
documentary filmmaking, politics, government and the law. Whether
creatively or technically inclined, students pursuing the English
Concentration have the opportunity to develop a clear, professional
writing style – a talent that is highly regarded in virtually every
industry today.
Some of the courses that may be included in the English concentration
are:
42.202 Great Books of the Modern Period
42.211 Intro to Poetry
42.212 Short Story
42.216 Monster, Apes & Nightmares
42.217 Horror Story
42.225 Business Writing OR
42.226 Technical and Scientific Writing
42.243 Contemporary Women Writers
42.300 Introduction to Journalism
42.303 Creative Writing Poetry
42.314 Writing Mysteries
42.325 Rise of the Novel
42.376 Contemporary American Fiction
A more comprehensive list of electives is available in each semester's
bulletin or on our website.
History Concentration
The History Concentration provides students with a deep understanding of
world history and the impact historical events have had on the world in
which we live today. Courses in this concentration provide students with
practical experiences in research, analysis, writing, presentation,
theory and critical thinking. As a result, students graduate from the
program better prepared for careers in areas such as documentary
film-making, international business, library science, museum management,
journalism, politics, government and the law. The History Department at
UMass Lowell offers a wide range of history courses that boast topics
that are highly relevant to modern times. Courses feature titles such as
Problems of Modern Ireland to the History of the Middle East. Students
gain a better understanding of world history, its cultures, and patterns
that have influenced historical development and continue to impact
societies on a global scale.
Some of the courses that may be included in the History concentration
are:
43.107 World Civilization I
43.108 World History II
43.112 U.S. History Since 1877
43.242 The Second World War
43.270 Women in American History
43.274 Native American History
43.308 History of Crime & Social Control
43.336 Problems of Modern Ireland
43.356 Civil War and Reconstruction
43.393 History of the Middle East
A more comprehensive list of electives is available in each semester's
bulletin or on our website.
Legal Studies Concentration
The Legal Studies Concentration allows students to gain extensive
insight into today’s legal system – providing graduates with a
wide-range of professional opportunities in the industry. The Legal
Studies Concentration enables students to gain a broad-based
understanding of legal practices while they work towards a solid
foundation in Liberal Arts. Students have the opportunity to study a
variety of legal topics including criminal and tort law, contract law,
corporate law (partnerships, limited partnerships, joint ventures, and
corporate structure), family law (marriage, custody, adoption, divorce,
child support, juveniles, right to die, reproduction control, surrogate
parenting and fetal tissue transfer), environmental law (federal and
state legislation and public-interest litigation), racial
discrimination, and real estate law (deeds, title examinations, methods
of co-ownership, and landlord and tenant rights and liabilities). Many
of the courses in this concentration provide students with a preview to
classes offered in law school.
Some of the courses that may be included in the Legal Studies
concentration are:
41.262 Introduction to Business Law (3cr)
41.360 Legal Issues in Racism (3cr)
41.363 Corporate and Property Law (3cr)
41.367 Environmental Law (3cr)
41.370 Real Estate Law (3cr)
41.376 Family Law (3cr)
41.381 Women and the Law (3cr)
41.387 Legal Research Methods (3cr)
41.490 Legal Aspects of Cyberspace (3cr)
A more comprehensive list of electives is available in each semester's
bulletin or on our website.
Psychology Concentration
The Psychology Concentration is designed to acquaint students with the
science that surrounds the human mind. Courses in this concentration
cover such topics as human development, the learning process, sexuality,
the relationship between physiological and psychological processes in
humans and animals, sensation and perception, cognitive processes,
motivation and emotion, personality, behavioral disorders, and social
behavior. Graduates of the program can pursue careers in
psychology-related fields such as social work, mental health care, human
services, counseling, marketing research, labor relations, management
and productivity improvement. For those who wish to become a licensed
psychologist, an advance degree is typically required, yet the
Psychology Concentration provides students with an academic foundation
that is conducive to further pursuit of an advanced degree in this
field.
Some of the courses that may be included in the Psychology concentration
are:
47.101 General Psychology
47.260 Child and Adolescent Development
47.272 Abnormal Psychology
47.312 Learning and Behavior
47.335 Psychology and Women
47.351 Human Sexuality
47.360 Adult Development and Aging
47.363 Intro to Disability Studies
47.477 Seminar: Contemporary Trends – Addictions
A more comprehensive list of electives is available in each semester's
bulletin or on our website.
Women’s Studies Concentration
The Women’s Studies Concentration explores the history of women in
societies throughout the world – providing students with an
understanding of how social and cultural influences have shaped the
lives and roles of women throughout history. For graduates, there is a
growing demand in the workforce for experts on gender issues. In fact,
women's studies specialists are increasingly being used as consultants
in both the public and private sector. Graduates of this concentration
receive all the benefits of a well-rounded liberal arts education, plus
advanced knowledge of issues particularly affecting women in the
workplace today.
Note: The following list includes courses from some of the other
concentration areas, but they may only be counted once towards one of
the two concentration areas.
41.376 - Family Law
41.381 - Women & the Law
42.241 - Women in Film
42.243 - Contemporary Women Writers
43.270 - Women in American History
43.380 - Work and Society
44.360 - Gender, Race, and Crime
44.477 - Intimate Partner Violence
47.335 - Psychology and Women
47.351 - Human Sexuality
48.231 - Sociology of the Family
48.370 - Women in Society
48.305 - Sociology of Family Law
50.378 - Women in French Cinema
58.340 - Women & Art
Bachelor of Liberal Arts Curriculum Outline
The following curriculum outline is a suggested part-time
course load consisting of two courses per semester. We generally
recommend that first-year students take only 1 or 2 courses their first
semester. Subsequent course loads may be determined by the student's own
personal time constraints.
First
Year (19 credits)
First Semester
42.101 College Writing I - GenEd - 3cr.
92.--- General Education - Mathematics - 3cr.
Second Semester
42.102 College Writing II - GenEd - 3cr.
--.--- General Education -
Social Sciences (SS) - 3cr.
Third Semester
--.--- General Education - Science w/Lab - 4cr.
--.--- General Education - Arts/Humanities (AH) - 3cr.
Second Year (19 credits)
First Semester
--.---
Competency Requirement - 3cr.*
--.--- Concentration I Elective - 3cr.
Second Semester
--.--- Competency Requirement - 3cr.*
--.--- Concentration II Elective - 3cr.
Third Semester
--.--- General Education - Science w/Lab - 4cr.
--.--- General Education - Arts/Humanities (AH) - 3cr.
Third Year (18 credits)
First Semester
--.--- Concentration I Elective - 3cr.
--.--- General Education - Social Science
(SS) - 3cr.
Second Semester
--.--- Concentration II Elective - 3cr.
--.--- Competency Requirement - 3cr.*
Third Semester
--.--- Competency Requirement - 3cr.*
--.--- Free Elective - 3cr.
Fourth Year (18 credits)
First Semester
--.--- Concentration I Elective - 3cr.
--.--- Concentration II Elective - 3cr.
Second Semester
--.--- Concentration I Elective - 3cr.
--.--- Concentration II Elective - 3cr.
Third Semester
--.--- General Education - Science (Non-Lab) - 3cr.
--.--- Free Elective - 3cr. Fifth Year (18
credits)
First Semester
--.--- 300/400 Concentration I Elective - 3cr.
--.--- 300/400 Concentration II Elective - 3cr.
Second Semester
--.--- 300/400 Concentration I Elective - 3cr.
--.--- 300/400 Concentration II Elective - 3cr.
Third Semester
--.--- General Education - Arts/Humanities (AH) - 3cr.
--.--- General Education - Social Science
(SS) - 3cr.
Sixth Year (18 credits)
First Semester
--.--- 300/400 Concentration I Elective - 3cr.
--.--- 300/400 Concentration II Elective - 3cr.
Second Semester
--.--- 300/400 Concentration I Elective - 3cr.
--.--- 300/400 Concentration II Elective - 3cr.
Third Semester
--.--- Free Elective - 3cr.
--.--- Free Elective - 3cr.
Seventh Year (12 credits)
First Semester
--.--- Free Elective - 3cr.
--.--- Free Elective - 3cr.
Second Semester
--.--- Free Elective - 3cr.
--.--- Free Elective - 3cr.
Competency Requirement
The Competency Requirement assures that students will gain
knowledge in areas deemed to be important to working in the 21st
Century. Students may fulfill this requirement by choosing one
of the three areas below. Students who choose the Foreign
Language competency must complete all 12 credits within that
area. Students who choose one of the other competencies may,
with permission of the Program Coordinator, complete 12
"competency" credits. Note: Courses used in a concentration may NOT be used
to fulfill the Competency Requirement.
I. Foreign Languages: Four Courses in Language and
Civilization (12 credits or intermediate level proficiency)
II. Practical and Technical Literacy: Four courses in areas such
as Computer Literacy, Studio Art, Community Service, Health Care,
Marketing and Management Skills, or Music Performance. III.
Diversity of Cultural Experience: Four courses in Art History, Music
History, Philosophy or History.
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