Welcome!

As Lawrence Clark Powell put it, “Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow.”  A degree in English at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will foster your abilities to communicate effectively: to write correctly, to read and think critically, and to speak effectively.  These are the skills that provide a clear advantage for success in a business or profession.

Courses include instruction in the following areas:

• Critical reading
• Creative writing
• Core composition
• Professional writing
• Literary as well as film analysis

The English faculty at UMPI cares about students both during and after college and do their absolute best to make their classes interesting, progressive and inspiring.
–Kathleen Harrigan, class of 2006

Why Online English with UMPI?

Our online program is taught by the same professors who teach our live courses.  Thus, you’ll be doing coursework that develops your ability to write and communicate in a wide variety of professional and academic settings, while the fact that the coursework is done online allows you to create your own schedule.

Our online program offers a wide variety of courses, so you’ll be able to select those best suited to your needs, whether they are creative writing, literary or film analysis, or professional communication.  You will find a detailed description of our program and its courses here.

Our online programs are offered twelve months out of the year, including two summer sessions, so you can concentrate or spread out your classes to fit your schedule.

You will be assigned a full-time advisor who both teaches your classes and ensures your ability to complete the degree within four years (as a full-time student)—just like students who take our classes on campus.  Furthermore, your advisor can assist you in any questions of credit transferability or prior learning credit.  In addition, the online English major can be accomplished in only three years of study, including summer sessions—your advisor can help determine whether this is a suitable time frame for you.

An added benefit of UMPI’s online programs is that you experience the same student to faculty ratio as on-campus students. Expect to work closely with your professor and fellow students, just as you would in a live class.

Program Requirements

You must complete a total of 120 credit hours, of which 39 hours (minimum) are within the English program, and 40 hours in General Education.  A minor is optional.  And all of these credits can be completed online at UMPI.   You can click here to start the process.

After Graduation

The English program provides you with knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your future career. Your writing and communication skills will serve you well in a number of career paths, including:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Academia/education
• Writing (Journalism, Literature, Film studies, etc.)
• Medicine, Law, Business, etc.