The Master in Liberal Arts at UST is a multidisciplinary Master’s degree and a flexible alternative to a traditional Master’s degree, with courses and areas of concentration available in a variety of disciplines. Students enjoy small classes and personal attention from outstanding faculty. Course offerings include online and evening options as well as traditional in-person instruction.
The Master in Liberal Arts degree is a great option for:
- Educators looking to broaden their range of knowledge as well as deepen their subject-matter expertise
- Professionals looking to advance their careers or to expand job horizons
- Everyone looking to go deeper into the Great Books and Great Ideas in the pursuit of life-long learning.
MLA degree options include an MLA in Classical Education designed to prepare and develop teachers for instruction in classical schools and other classical education settings.
Time Limit
Students are required to complete all coursework towards the MLA degree within 10 years from the date of entry into the MLA program. Most degree options in the MLA require 30-36 credit hours. Most students complete the degree in 2-3 years.
MLA with Interdisciplinary Studies
The Master in Liberal Arts with Interdisciplinary Studies offers students the freedom to customize their degree plan to their interests, and appeals to a diverse range of students who seek professional advancement or personal enrichment. 30 credit hours total.
Seminar: 1 course
Seminars are graduate courses that substantially incorporate the discussion of Great Books. Each MLA student must complete 1 seminar (3 credit hours) of his or her choosing.
Interdisciplinary Concentration: 8 courses
Students may select any combination of MLA courses, from any discipline.
MLA with Concentration
The Master in Liberal Arts with Concentration allows students to expand their liberal arts education, while focusing on a specific academic concentration within the humanities and social sciences. 30 credit hours total.
Concentrations include: Applied Music, Art History, Communication, Creative Writing, Drama, Education, English, History, International Studies, Irish Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, and Theology
MLA Seminar
Seminar: 1 course
Seminars are graduate courses that substantially incorporate the discussion of Great Books. Each MLA student must complete 1 seminar (3 credit hours) of his or her choosing.
Concentration: 6 courses
Each student selects a discipline or area of study in which to concentrate his or her studies. A concentration equals 6 courses (18 credit hours, maximum of 21) in the declared discipline or area of study.
Electives: 2 courses
A student selects 2 electives (6 credit hours), which may be:
- Any MLA course outside of his or her concentration course.
- A seventh concentration course and one non-concentration course.
- Optional thesis or project (6 credit hours) under the direction of a faculty member in the student’s concentration area. Completion of thesis or project is not a degree requirement.
*Specific concentrations may have particular required courses. Consult with your MLA advisor for details.
MLA with Dual Concentration
The Master in Liberal Arts with Dual Concentration allows students to expand their liberal arts education, while focusing on two specific academic concentrations within the humanities and social sciences. 42 credit hours total.
Concentrations include: Applied Music, Art History, Communication, Creative Writing, Drama, Education, English, History, International Studies, Irish Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, and Theology
Interdisciplinary MLA Seminar (3 credit hours)
Seminar: 1 course
Seminars are graduate courses that substantially incorporate the discussion of Great Books. Each MLA student must complete 1 seminar (3 credit hours) of his or her choosing.
Concentrations: 12 courses
Each student selects two disciplines or areas of study in which to concentrate his or her studies. Each concentration equals 6 courses (18 credit hours) in the declared discipline or area of study.
*Specific concentrations may have particular required courses. Consult with your MLA advisor for details.
MLA in Classical Education
The Master in Liberal Arts in Classical Education is designed to prepare and develop teachers for instruction in classical schools and other classical education settings. The program addresses both the pedagogy and the content of classical education. The six required core courses (18 credit hours) are available online. For their remaining coursework, students may choose either the Single Discipline Path (18 credit hours) or the Interdisciplinary Path (12 credit hours). Path courses are available in a variety of disciplines and modes of delivery. Single Discipline Path: 36 credit hours total. Interdisciplinary Path: 30 credit hours total.
Single Discipline Path
MLA Classical Education students in this path take an additional 18 credit hours in a single discipline.
Interdisciplinary Path
MLA Classical Education students in this path take an additional 12 credit hours in MLA courses or other graduate courses with the consent of the MLA director.