Liberal Studies, M.A.L.S.

General Program Information

Graduate School Contact:

Jessimine Strauss; straussj@etsu.edu; (423) 439-6158

Marie Tedesco, Ph.D., Director
916 West Maple
Box 70659
(423) 439-4223
e-mail: tedescom@etsu.edu

Faculty: Jill LeRoy-Frazier; Marie Tedesco.

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers students from a variety of backgrounds an alternative graduate education. Firmly grounded in the values of interdisciplinary learning, the MALS degree allows students to design an individualized program of study in the Arts, Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, and related fields. MALS students complete a common core and then select graduate elective courses from disciplinary departments. MALS students choose either a thesis or a special project to complete their programs of study.

Program Admission Requirements for Master of Arts in Liberal Studies

A student applying to the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program needs the following:

1. A baccalaureate degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
2. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. A successful admissions interview.
5. A writing sample of four-five pages. In the writing sample, the applicant will elaborate on reasons for applying to the MALS program, on comprehension of liberal arts, and interdisciplinary, on relevant intellectual interests, and if an Archival Studies Concentration applicant, on the work of the archivist and the nature of the archive. If an Applied Theatre Pedagogy Concentration applicant, the essay should include a description of related work experience and interest in the program.
6. For applications for admission into the Applied Theatre Pedagogy concentration: after a review of the application materials, applicants whose documents indicate a potential for success will be invited for an interview with the MALS director and the head of Project REAL conducted either in person, by telephone, or by Skype.

Students may be admitted into the MALS degree program fall, spring, or summer, but those admitted to the Applied Theatre Pedagogy Concentration in other than the fall semester can begin the concentration core fall semester only.

Liberal Studies, M.A.L.S. Degree Requirements: 31-34 credits

Thesis: The thesis option requires 31 total credits including 18 credits of advisor approved electives.

Non-Thesis: The project option requires 34 total credits including 21 credits of advisor approved electives.

Note:

Beyond the MALS core, the program of study will come from offerings of various departments at East Tennessee State University, with the following limitations:

• Elective courses must come from at least two (2) different academic departments, and except in special circumstances,
• No more than one (1) course may be taken from colleges other than Arts and Sciences and Education.
• Only six (6) credits of coursework may be taken from any one (1) department in Arts and Sciences and Education without the approval of the M.A.L.S. director.

Please note that a student may not take all elective courses from the College of Education. Students must meet all prerequisites for all courses. Students who do not earn a grade of B in MALS 5400  may repeat the course once. If the student does not then earn a grade of B, the student will be dismissed from the program for failure to make academic progress.