Program Overview
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The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) is a degree program for adults eager to deepen their appreciation of human history and ideals as well as broaden their own perspectives through an intensive study of the great ideas in literature, history, philosophy, and the other liberal arts. The program is ideal for those wanting both to seek out more meaningful career paths and find inspiration for moving beyond existing paradigms for understanding and contributing to local and global issues. It is designed to stimulate imagination and critical-thinking skills in service to family, career, or community, both local and global. The program develops the focused, critical thought processes necessary to succeed in any endeavor and encourages creative problem solving, and the development of analytical, academic, and leadership skills appropriate in all walks of life. Students who complete this rigorous program are well prepared to excel and lead in professional, community, religious, and family environments.
Students may tailor their programs to their professional or personal interests by selecting an existing area of study that complements their personal or career goals. MALS requires the completion of a distribution of 36 graduate credits in the liberal arts field and includes a 6-credit Capstone project.
MALS Areas of Study include:
Download our Degree Program Profile Sheet for an overview of our MA in Liberal Studies program.
Program Timeline
This is a hypothetical timeline that shows how a student can complete the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree program at Thomas Edison State University in about 18 months.
To demonstrate how students could progress through the program over an 18-month period, we are using the January term as the first term and move through the program during the four graduate terms offered each year. Each term is 12 weeks.
The timeline is informational in nature and does not represent an actual program plan. Enrolled graduate students work with our deans and academic advisors to develop a program plan that maps out how students will complete their degree and whether they can transfer previously earned graduate credits or earn graduate credit for what they know through prior learning assessment.
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Term (runs for 12 weeks)
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Courses To Take |
Credits |
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First Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of January
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LAP-500: The Liberal Arts and Professional Life
SAM-501: Sense of Community I: Art and Morality
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3
3
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Second Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of April
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SAM-502: Sense of Community II: Faith and Reason
CCR-610: Change, Conflict and Resolution
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3
3
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Third Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of July
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SIC-520: The Species, The Individual and Community
THC-625: Technology and the Human Community
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3
3
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Fourth Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of October
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MALS Elective
MALS Elective
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3
3
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Fifth Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of January
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MLS-700: Capstone I
MALS Elective
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3
3
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Sixth Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of April
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MLS-710: Capstone II
MALS Elective
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3
3
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