The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) Program engages students in a critical, multidisciplinary examination of contemporary American culture; encourages students to explore and critique issues important to American thought and social movements such as race, gender, politics, religion, or popular culture; helps students learn research methods and techniques and apply them to critically examine issues beyond the scope of individual courses; and sets students’ experiences in a meaningful context.
The defining MALS experience is an academic core drawn on concepts from the humanities, the social sciences, and the arts with a recurring emphasis on interdisciplinary study and research. In their core courses, electives, and thesis research, students are invited to examine their lived experience through an intellectual lens that highlights the key ideas, institutions, behaviors, and preoccupations that have helped to shape the complex American character.
MALS students are drawn from diverse academic, personal, and professional backgrounds. Some students use the MALS as preparation for further study; others already hold the professional positions they seek and are looking to strengthen their expertise as teachers, policy makers, community organizers, or artists. Other students, near or anticipating retirement, are drawn to the MALS Program because it offers an opportunity for personal enrichment and lifelong learning, a chance to enjoy liberal education. To accommodate the working professional, all MALS core seminars and many elective courses are offered online and courses are scheduled to facilitate part-time students. Limited financial aid, scholarship support, and research assistantships are available for students in the MALS program. Contact the Office of Graduate Programs for information at (810) 762-3171.
The MALS Program participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes is available at http://www.umflint.edu/assessment/.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Undergraduate course work totaling twenty-four (24) credit hours, primarily in the humanities and social sciences
Transfer of Credit
Up to six (6) credit hours of graduate credit completed at an accredited institution may be accepted for transfer. Transfers of credit are subject to the approval of the program director. Transfers are made in accordance with the policies of the Rackham School of Graduate Studies .
Time Limit for Degree Completion
Students are expected to complete all work within five years from the date of first enrollment in the program. Students exceeding this time limit must file a petition. See the Rackham School of Graduate Studies for further information.
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