Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

at University of Massachusetts Lowell USA

The Master of Arts degree in history educates students in the essential skills of analysis, comprehension, critical thinking and public speaking. It develops the ability to analyze large quantities of data, to identify patterns and trends and to write a clear narrative that explains those results. Such skills apply to a wide range of careers, including teaching, gallery and museum work; archive management; government and public service; business and legal research; and consulting.

The M.A. in history is designed for those who:

• Hold a teaching license and are seeking professional licensure;
• Work or want to work in history organizations, museums and galleries;
• Are preparing for doctoral studies in history or
• Seek the additional intellectual challenge of graduate work in history.

Industrial engineers apply science, mathematics and fundamental engineering principles to complex systems and operations in order to make them better. Our industrial engineering program emphasizes manufacturing and automation and gives students hands-on experience through problem-based learning.

n the newly developed industrial engineering program at UMass Lowell, students learn to design, improve and implement integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment and energy.

Our students follow a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum that provides a solid science and engineering foundation, with advanced coursework in automation and control, manufacturing process, ergonomics, analytics and operations management. Designed to be multidisciplinary, the program offers students the opportunity to take courses within the Francis College of Engineering, the Kennedy College of Sciences and the Manning School of Business. In addition, students may also pursue minors in areas such as robotics, production and operations management.

Sociologists study many different subjects: race and ethnicity, social policy, gender and sexuality, family and kinship, the nature of industrial capitalism, the effect of technology on modern society and interpersonal relationships. These are just a few of the many areas sociologists are interested in understanding. What draws these different areas together is the emphasis on understanding social life, both in our own society and cross-culturally.

The sociology major offers students the opportunity to learn about our social world. Courses cover a wide range of fields. As part of their program, students are encouraged to work in the Lowell community. Many students complete corporate or agency internships in which they work within a field setting to gain needed job experience.

Department members value the search for meaningful social change. Students who are interested in working in human services, social work, personnel management, urban planning, elder services, communications, law, education, research, community activism or full-time academic work might consider a major in sociology.   

Policy and Social Problems Concentration
Students may choose a concentration in Policy and Social Problems, which provides a pathway for those who want to focus specifically on applying analytical tools of sociological thinking to social problems and their solutions.

The UMass Lowell biology master's program fosters critical thinking and develops skills needed for independent laboratory study. This is accomplished, in part, by offering advanced lecture, seminar and laboratory courses.

The Department of Biological Sciences offers four options for the Master of Science in Biological Science:

• General Option offers flexibility so students can create a program that fits their educational and employment goals.
• Biotechnology Option focuses on training essential to employment in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
• Bioinformatics Option prepares students for academic and industry positions by providing interdisciplinary coursework emphasizing computational analysis and interpretation of biological datasets.
• Education, Communication and Outreach Option offers tailored coursework to prepare graduates to effectively communicate biological and scientific concepts using evidence-based approaches in their desired career paths.

Epidemiologists identify public health hazards, evaluate health interventions and monitor health systems data to protect public health. Every day during the pandemic epidemiologists across the world are analyzing data, conducting studies and sharing recommendations based on science.

Choose the MPH Epidemiology option if you want to gain a solid grasp of the fundamental principles of epidemiology and health statistics. You’ll learn about study design, data collection and analysis, assessment of bias, and control of confounders. Graduates of the MPH Public Health Epidemiology program have found exciting and meaningful careers in:

• Public sector organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Rhode Island Department of Health, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and numerous municipal health departments.
• Private corporations such as World Congress, Evidera, Marsh & McLennan Agency and Abt Associates.
• Non-profit organizations such as Partners in Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Lowell Community Health Center, North Suffolk Mental Health Associates, Home Health Foundation and The Community Health Center, Inc.
• Academic and research institutions as research associates.

As a history major at UMass Lowell, you will be trained to think and write critically about history. Department alumni have careers in a wide array of fields including teaching, law, government service, business and research. More than half our graduates go on to graduate school in history, education and other fields.

The Master of Music in Music Education degree programs at UMass Lowell provide advanced study of music teaching and professional preparation for those engaged in or aspiring to a career as a music educator.

The Master of Music in Music Education has two non-certification options consisting of the research-based Research Thesis/Project option for fully-certified music teachers who are seeking professionalization, and our newly created Community Music option which serves to broaden the definition of music education to include other venues beyond public school teaching, such as community outreach programs, arts organizations and educational media.

The degree program is designed to facilitate students' growth and development as:

• Leaders in the profession of music education.
• Creative problem solvers and innovative thinkers.
• Individuals who love music and the arts and utilize their knowledge of and enthusiasm for music to inspire students.
• Contributors, through research, to the profession and discipline of music education.

The program combines theoretical study and scientific research methods with practical application through course work, field studies, community involvement, volunteerism and supervised independent research. Graduates of the Psychology department go on to careers in social services, mental health, education, research and business. Undergraduates also may choose to specialize in developmental disabilities.

The Psychology major augments a general liberal arts education and provides the basis for graduate training and careers in mental health, community development, education, research, and business and industry. The psychology curriculum acquaints students with the theoretical and empirical foundations of the major sub-fields of psychology (human development, basic mental and behavioral processes, the social context, and individual differences). The curriculum reflects the importance of scientific methods and provides students with hands-on experience in designing and conducting their own research; indeed, over the years, many of our students have been able to present their work at scientific conferences or have it published in academic journals. The curriculum also emphasizes the applications of psychological knowledge and skills in many areas of human functioning and gives students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills through a variety of placement opportunities on campus and in the community.

Students can take courses in the history of philosophy and philosophical movements; political, mathematical and scientific philosophies; metaphysics; linguistics and aesthetics. Students will learn how to analyze, reason, deduct and apply persuasive arguments in a disciplined and systematic way while developing their oral and written communication skills.

The department does not specify particular course work for the major, but recommends that the sequence of courses be designed in close consultation with the student’s faculty advisor. Students who plan to go to graduate school are strongly encouraged to take at least two courses from the History of Philosophy series. They should also consider a second major in a cognate field, e.g., American studies, English, French, history, mathematics, or political science.

Communications and Critical Thinking -  Concentration
Effective communication is an essential tool for those seeking careers in journalism, advertising, commerce, law, public relations, education or related fields.

The Communications and Critical Thinking (C&CT) track in philosophy serves students preparing for these careers with a unique interdisciplinary course of study that puts them on the fast track for any of those professional choices. It provides training in the latest media technologies and in timeless communication skills such as presenting good arguments, critical reasoning and logical evaluation of competing opinions.

Students specialize by selecting a specific set of courses from the wide variety offered for the major, and by adding minors in other related areas such as computer science, English, music, art, economics, psychology, sociology or political science.

The pandemic exposed the critical role that public health professionals play to prevent diseases and promote health. With a B.S. in public health, you’ll be prepared for a career that creates healthy communities through education, research and promotion of healthy environments and lifestyles.

The cornerstone of the program is health promotion and disease prevention, rather than on diagnosing and treating illnesses and conditions after they occur.

Public health jobs exist in private industry, organizations, local communities, and state and national settings. We offer the Public Health BS in two options: Community Health/Health Promotion and Health Sciences. See more details below. Students will also attain a foundation of knowledge that is necessary to pursue graduate studies in public health and health sciences.

Community Health/Health Promotion - Concentration

• Students will be involved in service learning and community health practicum experiences and take courses to increase skills in communication and teaching related to health promotion and prevention in community settings. This option will prepare students for careers as community health educators in a variety of settings including community health centers, hospitals, long term care facilities, corporate wellness, and nonprofit organizations.