The Master in Liberal Arts at UST is a multidisciplinary Master’s degree, a flexible alternative to a traditional Master’s degree, with courses and electives from among several concentration areas. Students enjoy small classes and personal attention, with many evening options, along with study abroad and internship opportunities.
The Master in Liberal Arts degree is a great option for:
- Educators looking to advance practical and 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.
Additionally, UST offers an Executive MLA program that is designed for working professionals who want to engage with the greatest books of world civilization. The program is offered both in-person and online.
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. The vast majority of 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.
Interdisciplinary MLA Seminar
Seminar: 1 course
Seminars are interdisciplinary graduate courses specifically designed for the MLA Program. Each MLA student must complete 1 seminar (3 credit hours) of his or her choosing. MLA seminars are courses structured to provide a graduate community centered on interdisciplinary discussion
Interdisciplinary Concentration: 8 courses
Students may select any combination of MLA electives or MLMLA seminars.
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.
Concentrations include: Applied Music, Communication, Drama, Education, English, History, International Studies, Irish Studies, John Paul II Studies, Philosophy, Polish Studies, Political Science, Theology
Interdisciplinary MLA Seminar
Seminar: 1 course
Seminars are interdisciplinary graduate courses specifically designed for the MLA Program. Each MLA student must complete 1 seminar (3 credit hours) of his or her choosing. MLA seminars are courses structured to provide a graduate community centered on interdisciplinary discussion.
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.
Concentrations include: Applied Music, Communication, Drama, Education, English, History, International Studies, Irish Studies, John Paul II Studies, Philosophy, Polish Studies, Political Science, Theology
Interdisciplinary MLA Seminar (3 credit hours)
Seminar: 1 course
Seminars are interdisciplinary graduate courses specifically designed for the MLA Program. Each MLA student must complete 1 seminar (3 credit hours) of his or her choosing. MLA seminars are courses structured to provide a graduate community centered on interdisciplinary discussion.
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.
Executive MLA
The Executive Master in Liberal Arts is a new MLA track based on study of the Great Books. Designed as a continuing education in the liberal arts, this program is ideal for working professionals who want a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. The program is offered both in-person and online.
Interdisciplinary MLA Seminar
Seminars: 2 courses
Executive MLA students must complete an additional minimum 2 seminars (6 credit hours) of his or her choosing from the MLA great books seminars offered each semester, or from among the other interdisciplinary MLA graduate seminars offered each semester.
Electives: 7 courses
A student selects a minimum additional 7 electives (21 credit hours), which may be:
- Any MLA great books seminar courses, any other seminar courses, or any MLA course electives.