Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy with Concentration in Communications and Critical Thinking

at University of Massachusetts Lowell USA

The UMass Lowell American Studies Program offers both a major and a minor. It includes faculty from departments such as English, Cultural Studies, History, Psychology, Sociology and Political Science.

Graduates of the program have pursued careers in government and social services; others seek certification to teach elementary or high school. Having developed skills in writing and analysis, American Studies majors have become successful executives, public relations representatives, product managers, speech writers, press secretaries, and journalists. American Studies has proven a strong foundation for students continuing their studies in law or in library and information sciences.

American Studies is a vibrant interdisciplinary field practiced around the nation and world. It examines the intersection between such subjects as globalization and economics, music and politics, history and gender, race and environment, technology and art. This willingness to cross the boundaries of traditional disciplines allows for creative critical thinking and research.

With a concentration in finance in business administration, you will gain:

• The ability to analyze complex capital budgeting problems
• The ability to assess investment opportunities for institutes and individuals
• An understanding of the techniques needed to finance corporate operations and expansion
• The ability to communicate financial concepts to others

Finance graduates can choose from careers that include banking, financial planning, corporate finance, financial analysis, insurance, real estate, cash management and forecasting.

The Bachelor of Music in Composition for New Media balances established coursework in musicianship, performance, and liberal arts with hands-on contemporary training in music and sound composition for all facets of commercial and artistic media. Students in this program compose, mix, design, and arrange music and sound assets for movies, web, television, animation, mobile and educational platforms, games, artistic installations, advertising, industrial media, interactive live performance, Virtual Reality systems and related outlets.

Like all music major programs at UMass Lowell, this program requires:

• An entrance audition on an instrument or voice,
• The submission of a portfolio of scores/recordings/creative work, which consists of three media excerpts around 90 seconds each of original compositions, with supplemental materials, which may include documentation, scores, etc. as needed.

The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media at UMass Lowell helps students turn their talent and passion into careers in the diverse and rapidly expanding field of media production. With an interdisciplinary structure and real-world approach, this program offers a rigorous curriculum taught by industry experts. Students can build their skills and explore their interests through a wide range of courses in video, film, sound production, editing, motion graphics, broadcasting and screenwriting.

The digital media program offers many opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with regional media companies through professional internships and co-ops in film, TV, animation, marketing and digital production. See examples below.

At the local, national and regional level, our healthcare system confronts new challenges in coping with the many changes in technology, information systems, financing and management.

Choose the MPH Healthcare Management option if you want to learn the conceptual, organizational, personnel and financial skills required to become an effective and compassionate public health manager.

Graduates of the program gain an advanced education in healthcare finance, law and ethics in healthcare, operations analysis and quality improvement, healthcare management and healthcare information systems. You’ll be prepared to assume leadership positions in the complex healthcare industry, especially those industries that contribute to the public health of communities and populations.

Graduates of the MPH Healthcare Management program have found exciting and meaningful careers in:

• Healthcare institutions such as Boston Medical Center, Partners Health Care, Lowell Community Health Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Tufts Medical Center.
• Private corporations such as Vinfen, Signify Health, Caduceus Healthcare, JSS Medical Research, SCM Insurance Services, and Spring Street Exchange.
• Public sector organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Government of Indonesia.
• Non-profit organizations such as Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts Medical Society, The Bridge of Central Massachusetts

The UMass Lowell American Studies Program offers both a major and a minor. It includes faculty from departments such as English, Cultural Studies, History, Psychology, Sociology and Political Science.

Graduates of the program have pursued careers in government and social services; others seek certification to teach elementary or high school. Having developed skills in writing and analysis, American Studies majors have become successful executives, public relations representatives, product managers, speech writers, press secretaries, and journalists. American Studies has proven a strong foundation for students continuing their studies in law or in library and information sciences.

American Studies is a vibrant interdisciplinary field practiced around the nation and world. It examines the intersection between such subjects as globalization and economics, music and politics, history and gender, race and environment, technology and art. This willingness to cross the boundaries of traditional disciplines allows for creative critical thinking and research.

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 Master of Science program in Security Studies prepares students for careers in the rapid expanding field of cyber security, as well as weapons of mass destruction (CBRNE) and how to address threats to our critical infrastructure.

Homeland Defense - Concentration
Students pursuing this area of concentration will develop competencies and knowledge relating to homeland security strategy and policy development, critical infrastructure protection, regional and national security intelligence, land and maritime border protection, and the use of new technologies in homeland security. Emphasis is placed on integrating a “big picture” policy perspective with an understanding of human behavior, systems, and intelligence analysis.

The Literature concentration introduces students to a range of historical periods, genres, and critical approaches to literature. It prepares them for graduate work in literary and cultural studies as well as careers in publishing, law, teaching, business, the arts, and other professions that require skilled reading, writing, research, and communication. Students take at least two courses that fulfill the department’s Diverse Literary Traditions requirement. These courses explore authors and texts through the historically under-represented perspectives of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, post-coloniality, and sexuality. The concentration includes a capstone course that provides a culminating opportunity to complete a substantial learning project. Some capstones focus on in-depth, advanced study of a particular author or period; others encourage deep research into an individual area of interest or provide an internship experience.

Master of Science in Environmental Studies (Environmental Engineering Sciences Concentration) with a thesis or a non-thesis track option.

Enrollment in the program is open to individuals with a baccalaureate degree in science (e.g., biology, chemistry, geology, physics). Others may be admitted with the approval of the graduate coordinator. Undergraduate course prerequisites must be satisfied. Students may make up course prerequisite deficiencies while in the program, although these credits will not count toward the total required for the master's degree. Frequently students entering the program are required to take additional undergraduate courses to develop analytical skills and to prepare for advanced level course work. Undergraduate courses may include calculus, statistics, chemistry, computer programming or courses designed to develop problem-solving skills.

The thesis track requires completion of an approved program of study involving a minimum of 24 credits of core courses and electives, and six credits of thesis, consisting of laboratory research or scholarly investigation for a total of 30 credits. Students may only register for thesis research with the prior approval of a thesis advisor. The thesis work is to be guided by a principal advisor who is a member of the University of Massachusetts Lowell faculty and by two additional committee members, at least one of whom must be a member of the faculty.