Online Master of Liberal Arts

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The online Master of Liberal Studies offers students a multidisciplinary approach to human ideas and values. This ASU program, offered through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is intended for students seeking a graduate degree that explores the integration of the humanities with political, religious, social and scientific questions within their cultural contexts. 

Resident tuition | Non-resident tuition
ASU Online offers start dates every 7.5 weeks.
Multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.
Required number of credits to complete this degree.

The Master of Liberal Studies is purposefully designed to move beyond the narrow confines of a single academic discipline. Instead of looking at the world through the limited lens of one discipline, the MLSt closely matches the broader way we as adults learn on a daily basis; it provides us with many different ways to understand the world.

The program includes two core seminars that explore transdisciplinary approaches to problems and issues articulated by the study of individuals in society. Areas of emphasis within the program include gender, religion, and culture; science, nature, and creative nonfiction writing; and borders, migration, health, and cultural identity. Graduates come away with an expanded understanding of the world and with research and writing skills that are applicable to nearly all professions.


The largest and most diverse unit at Arizona State University:

  • The largest and most diverse unit at Arizona State University:
  • Top 5 for best qualified graduates, according to Wall Street Journal
  • Top 20 for humanities research, according to the National Science Foundation
  • 20,000 enrolled students, 89 undergraduate majors, 134 graduate degrees and 22 interdisciplinary schools and departments
  • $115 million in research expenditures
  • #1 university in the nation for innovation

Calendar

Next Start Date:

05/20/19
Most Innovative

Featured Courses

Required Core (9 credit hours)

MLS 501 Writing About Social Issues (3)

MLS 502 Religion, Health and Culture (3)

MLS 503 Ethics, Science and Culture (3)

MLS 504 Film and Media Studies (3)

Electives (18 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)

MLS 593 Applied Project (3)

Additional Curriculum Information

Students choose three of the four courses listed above to fulfill the nine credit hour core requirement. Of the 18 credit hours of electives, no more than nine may be in the same department. Emphasis areas available are borders (migration, health and cultural identity); gender, religion and culture; and science, nature and creative nonfiction writing.

Faculty

From Royal Society and American Academy fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members including:

  • 306 Endowments
  • 12 Named Chairs
  • 14 Named Professorships
  • 1 Pulitzer Prize Winner
  • 1 MacArthur Fellow
  • 3 Nobel Laureates

Program Summary

Total Hours:

30

Related Careers

Graduates with an ASU Online Master of Liberal Studies have career opportunities illustrated in the following list. Career examples include but are not limited to:

  • Editor
  • Journalist
  • Para-professional
  • Publicist
  • Policy analyst

Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00="A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00="A") in an applicable master's degree program. The most competitive applicants will have a GPA of 3.30 or higher.

All applicants must submit:

  1. Graduate admission application and application fee
  2. Official transcripts
  3. A letter of interest in the program
  4. A resume, biographical statement or curriculum vitae
  5. Proof of English proficiency
  6. Two letters of recommendation

Additional Application Information

An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.

Affording College

Learn about the different types of financial aid and scholarship opportunities available. ASU offers a Cost Calculator, Budget Worksheet and Scholarship Search to make the college planning process easier.

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