Liberal Studies, M.A.L.S. (Regional and Community Studies Concentration)

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.

Non-Thesis: The project option requires 34 total credits.

Liberal Studies Core Requirements: 10 credits

• MALS 5000 - Foundations in Liberal Studies (1 credit)
• MALS 5100 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Study (3 credits)
• MALS 5200 - Seminar in Liberal Studies (3 credits)
• MALS 5400 - Seminar in Interdisciplinary Research (3 credits)

Regional and Community Studies Concentration: 9 credits

• MALS 5350 - Theory and Practice of Regionalism (3 credits)
• APST 5690 - Documenting Community Traditions (3 credits)

•  

  Choose one (1) of the following courses:

• COBH 5200 - Social and Behavioral Foundations of Public Health (3 credits)
• ENGL 5060 - Literature of Southern Appalachia (3 credits)
• ENGL 5207 - Literature of the South (3 credits)
• HIST 5010 - Studies in United States History (3 credits)
• HIST 5427 - Public History: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
• SOCI 5057 - Applied Sociology (3 credits)

Thesis Option: 12 credits

• MALS 5960 - Thesis (3 credits)  
• Advisor Approved Electives (9 credits)

9 credits of disciplinary department coursework as approved by the MALS Program Director in one of two categories:

1. Appalachian and Southern Studies

or

2. Community Studies

Non-Thesis Option: 15 credits

• MALS 5950 - Special Project in Liberal Studies (3 credits)  
• Advisor Approved Electives (12 credits)

12 credits of disciplinary department coursework as approved by the MALS Program Director in one of two categories:

1. Appalachian and Southern Studies

or

2. Community Studies

Note:

MALS will retain a list of approved electives for each area. Special topics courses or new courses not on the list may be taken with the approval of the MALS Program Director. Students are responsible for meeting course prerequisites.