Liberal Studies, M.A.L.S. (Applied Theatre Pedagogy 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)

Applied Theatre Pedagogy Concentration: 12 credits

• REAL 5100 - Applied Theatre: Foundations in REAL Pedagogy (3 credits)
• REAL 5200 - Kinesthetic Learning and Teaching (3 credits)
• REAL 5300 - Heart Intelligence: Learning through Emotions (3 credits)
• REAL 5400 - The Art of the Lesson (3 credits)

Thesis Option: 9 credits

• MALS 5960 - Thesis (3 credits)  
• Advisor Approved Electives (6 credits)

Students who select the thesis option will choose two courses (6 credits) from the list of Advisor Approved Electives below.

Non-Thesis Option: 12 credits

• MALS 5950 - Special Project in Liberal Studies (3 credits)  
• Advisor Approved Electives (9 credits)

Students who select the project option will choose three courses (9 credits) from the list of Advisor Approved Electives below.

Advisor Approved Electives

• EDFN 5010 - Interdisciplinary Seminar (1 credit, may be repeated for a total of 3 credits)
• EDFN 5050 - Social and Political Influences on Schools (3 credits)
• PSYC 5000 - Broad and General Foundations in Psychology (3 credits)
• SOCI 5337 - Symbolic Interaction and Social Identities (3 credits)
• STOR 5140 - Foundations of Storytelling Performance (3 credits)
• STOR 5840 - Story Dramatization (1-3 credits)
• STOR 5850 - Story Performance (1-3 credits)