MTSU’s Master of Arts in Liberal Arts is an innovative program allowing students to
earn a graduate degree through a course of study built around the subjects that they
find most interesting and captivating. Anyone holding a bachelor’s degree can pursue
long-held or new passions through a personally customized program developed around
individual interests. Lifelong learners, professionals, students returning to school
after a break, and recent graduates can find flexibility to fit their educational
needs through this unique master’s program. Students attend engaging courses and have
opportunities to participate in projects in the region or even enroll in education-abroad
courses around the world. Top-quality professors bring varying research and teaching
interests to the classroom through inspiring instruction. The M.A. in Liberal Arts
allows students to refine skills, expand horizons, learn for the joy of it, and obtain
the graduate degree they have always wanted.
Documentarian Commemorates Women's Suffrage
MALA student Mitch Pryor was the principle producer of “Silent No More,” a full-length
documentary that features interviews with national scholars, Tennessee experts, and
MTSU professors reflecting on the history of the woman suffrage movement across the
U.S., in the South, and in Tennessee. The documentary lays the groundwork for the
movement from its inception in the mid-1800s to ratification of the 19th Amendment to
the United States Constitution in 1920, with the deciding vote won in the Tennessee
Legislature on August 18, 1920. In commemoration of the centennial, the film aired
on MTSU's True Blue TV in August 2020. It is currently being used by the MTSU Center
for Historic Preservation and the Center for Educational Media for K-12 teacher professional development and
is accessible for history classes nationwide from the MTSU American Democracy Project website.
Explore, Engage, Enrich
Students in the M.A. in Liberal Arts (MALA) program are encouraged to explore the
world around them whether by studying abroad or on campus. Some will experience faraway
places by traveling to Israel while others will experience faraway places through
(MALA) course offerings such as "Detective Fiction and Film around the World." Still
others will engage their minds with topics ranging from evolution to global inequality.
All MALA students have opportunity to enrich their lives with skills and knowledge
as they benefit from a program of study that matches their interests and goals.
Related Media
-
MTSU True Blue Preview: Master of Arts in Liberal Arts
-
MTSU Graduate Highlight - Phattra Marbang, Sociology and Anthropology
-
Getting a Liberal Arts; M.A. | "Why I Chose MTSU"
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MTSU | The University of Opportunities
Most professions need people with problem-solving and communication skills who understand
global systems, can research a broad variety of topics, and can learn on the job.
MALA graduates come from and/or choose career fields such as:
- Advertising
- Arts
- Education
- Human resources
- Medicine
- Military
- Ministry
- Nonprofits
- Politics
- Public relations
- Urban planning/city management
- Writing/editing
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Liberal Arts is a broadly interdisciplinary program allowing
students to construct a personal plan of study from within the liberal arts departments
and programs, which include Art, Communication Studies, English, World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, Global Studies and Human Geography, History, Music, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Sociology and Anthropology, and Theatre and Dance.
Students, with the guidance of the program director, will build an individualized
course of study that will enhance career opportunities, provide preparation for further
graduate work, or create opportunities for lifelong learning.
Master’s candidates will complete either a thesis or a capstone project (such as a
creative project, an internship portfolio, or a research presentation). Students also
must complete 15 hours in core classes and 12 hours of guided electives from graduate-level
courses in College of Liberal Arts disciplines. A number of our courses are designated EXL and MT Engage indicating they contain hands
on, reflective learning opportunities.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and submit
a current resume or vita along with a 500-word statement of purpose outlining academic
interests and goals. Applicants also must fill out the application for admission to the College of Graduate Studies, pay the application fee, and submit official transcripts and two letters of recommendation.
Admission decisions are based upon a holistic review of all admission materials and
the program faculty’s judgment of applicant’s capacity, suitability, and preparation
for graduate study. The admission committee reserves the right to request references
and/or an interview.
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS button to the right.
Apply Now!
Liberal Arts, M.A.
Dr. Janet McCormick, Program Director
(615) 494-8801
mala@mtsu.edu
The College of Liberal Arts offers the Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, an interdisciplinary program offering a thesis and non-thesis option.
The Master of Arts in Liberal Arts (MALA), a broadly interdisciplinary program, allows students to construct a personal plan of study from within the College of Liberal Arts graduate programs. With the guidance of the program director, students build a program of study that will enhance career opportunities, provide preparation for further graduate study, or create opportunities for lifelong learning.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, applicant must have an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college.
Admission decisions are made after a holistic review of all admission materials and are based on the program's judgment of the applicant's capacity, suitability, and preparation for graduate study. The admissions committee reserves the right to request references and/or an interview.
Application Procedures
All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
Applicant must
- submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
- submit a current resume or vitae;
- submit a 500-word statement of purpose outlining academic interests and goals;
- submit two letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, or others familiar with qualifications to address applicant's potential to successfully complete the M.A. in Liberal Arts program;
- submit official transcripts of all previous college work.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Liberal Arts requires completion of 30 semester hours (non-thesis option) or 30-33 semester hours (thesis option).
Candidate must
- complete 30 semester hours (non-thesis) or 30-33 (thesis); no more than 30 percent of the total degree hours dual-listed as 5000-level undergraduate/graduate hours can be counted toward the degree;
- successfully complete and defend a thesis or capstone project.
Curriculum: Liberal Arts
The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements. In addition, a maximum of 6 hours of thesis research may be required to fulfill degree requirements.
Thesis (30-33 hours)
Core (6 hours)
MALA 6000 - Foundations of Liberal Arts I
3credit hours
A study of the traditional disciplines belonging to the liberal arts found in the departments of Art and Design, Communication Studies, English, History, and World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Focuses on the foundations and development of these disciplines with particular emphasis on content, research methods, literature search, and analysis.
MALA 6010 - Foundations of Liberal Arts II
3credit hours
A study of the traditional disciplines belonging to the liberal arts and found in the departments of Global Studies and Human Geography, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Political Science and International Relations, Theatre and Dance, and Sociology and Anthropology and the School of Music. Focuses on the foundations and development of these disciplines with particular emphasis on content, research methods, literature search, and analysis.
Areas (9 hours)
MALA 6030 - Topics in Culture and Ideas
3credit hours
Focuses on the traditions of the humanities as reflected in literature and languages, art and music, historical and philosophical questions, and religious thought.
MALA 6040 - Topics in Society and People
3credit hours
Focuses on the structural and political entities in societies of the past and present. Reflects people's efforts at making connections, resolving conflict, and creating identity.
MALA 6050 - Topics in Science and Reason
3credit hours
Focuses on the contributions of the sciences to liberal arts through interdisciplinary study and changes in ways of thinking about ourselves and the world around us.
Guided Electives (12 hours)
Choose from additional MALA topics courses and electives or courses in other College of Liberal Arts graduate programs as approved by the director. (Student may take up to 9 credit hours of guided electives at the 5000 level.)
Thesis (3-6 hours)
MALA 6640 - Thesis Research
1 to 6 credit hours
(3 credit hours required)(3 credit hours required)
dotslash:(3 credit hours required)
title:(3 credit hours required)
(3 credit hours required)
MALA 6640 - Thesis Research
1 to 6credit hours
Selection of a research problem, review of pertinent literature, collection and analysis of data, and composition of thesis. Once enrolled, student should register for at least one credit hour of master's research each semester until completion.
Non-thesis Option (30 hours)
Core (6 hours)
MALA 6000 - Foundations of Liberal Arts I
3credit hours
A study of the traditional disciplines belonging to the liberal arts found in the departments of Art and Design, Communication Studies, English, History, and World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Focuses on the foundations and development of these disciplines with particular emphasis on content, research methods, literature search, and analysis.
MALA 6010 - Foundations of Liberal Arts II
3credit hours
A study of the traditional disciplines belonging to the liberal arts and found in the departments of Global Studies and Human Geography, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Political Science and International Relations, Theatre and Dance, and Sociology and Anthropology and the School of Music. Focuses on the foundations and development of these disciplines with particular emphasis on content, research methods, literature search, and analysis.
Areas (9 hours)
MALA 6030 - Topics in Culture and Ideas
3credit hours
Focuses on the traditions of the humanities as reflected in literature and languages, art and music, historical and philosophical questions, and religious thought.
MALA 6040 - Topics in Society and People
3credit hours
Focuses on the structural and political entities in societies of the past and present. Reflects people's efforts at making connections, resolving conflict, and creating identity.
MALA 6050 - Topics in Science and Reason
3credit hours
Focuses on the contributions of the sciences to liberal arts through interdisciplinary study and changes in ways of thinking about ourselves and the world around us.
Guided Electives (12 hours)
Choose from additional MALA topics courses and electives or courses in other College of Liberal Arts graduate programs as approved by the director. (Student may take up to 9 credit hours of guided electives at the 5000 level.)
Capstone Project (3 hours)
MALA 6020 - Capstone Project
3credit hours
Selection of an interdisciplinary topic, advanced research including the review of applicable literature, and completion of a final product such as a paper; a creative, visual, or digital presentation; or some other format approved by the course instructor.
Our adjunct faculty bring outstanding professional experience to our programs. Many are industry leaders with decorated careers and honors. Importantly, they are innovative educators who offer hands-on learning to our students to prepare them to enter and thrive in a dynamic, and oftentimes emerging, industry and professional world. They inspire, instruct, and challenge our students toward academic and professional success.
Online or Hybrid Programs at a Glance
This program is available .
For More Information or Explore Your Options
Contact your department / program coordinator or advisor for more details about the program OR work one-on-one with your advisor to explore your options.
The Online Advantage
With over 25 years of experience in online teaching and learning, MTSU Online offers students access to innovative, high-quality programs. Designed with students in mind, our courses allow maximum flexibility for those unable to participate in person.
Resources and services for online students are available from MTSU Online or contact us at distance@mtsu.edu.
