Master of Liberal Arts

The Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) program fosters intellectual breadth through courses that address a broad range of cultural issues from different academic perspectives. Students may explore questions of identity through art, literature, and religion. They may analyze the politics of race in fiction, historical documents, the visual arts, and music. They may debate ethical choices presented by fiction writers, jurists, philosophers, and scientists from antiquity through the present. MLA seminars examine significant literary, artistic, and cinematic works; historic moments of discovery and change; traditions of thought; cultural differences; and civic responsibilities.

The MLA program emphasizes critical thinking and inquiry, close reading, intensive writing, and problem-solving, all of which are hallmarks of a liberal arts education and essential skills in a range of professional contexts.

The program is designed for the experienced adult learner who wishes to pursue interdisciplinary study along with scholarly reading and research. There is no single profile of the typical MLA student as students come from a variety of backgrounds and professions.