Liberal Studies, M.A.L.S. (Gender and Diversity Studies Concentration)

General Program Information

Jill Leroy-Frazier, Ph.D., Director
217 Nell Dossett Hall
Box 70659
(423) 439-4223
e-mail: leroyfra@etsu.edu

Faculty: Julie Fox-Horton; 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 interdisciplinarity, on relevant intellectual interests, and if an Archival Studies Concentration applicant, on the work of the archivist and the nature of the archive. 

Students may be admitted into the MALS degree program fall, spring, or summer.

Liberal Studies, M.A.L.S. Degree Requirements: 34-37 credits

Liberal Studies Core Requirements: 13-16 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)

•  

• MALS 5950 - Special Project in Liberal Studies (3 credits) (repeatable up to 6 credits)

• or

• MALS 5960 - Thesis (3 credits) (repeatable up to 6 credits)

Gender and Diversity Studies Concentration: 12 credits

• MALS 5300 - Gender, Diversity, and Social Justice (3 credits)
• Women’s and Gender Issues course (3 credits)*
• Diversity and Ethnicity course (3 credits)*
• Philosophy, Ethics, and Social Justice course (3 credits)*

• 
  * Courses must be approved by MALS Director

Advisor Approved Electives: 9 credits

Complete 9 credits of disciplinary department coursework as approved by the MALS program director concentrated in one of the three area categories:

• Women’s and Gender Issues
• Diversity and Ethnicity
• Philosophy, Ethics, and Social Justice

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.