Liberal Studies, M.A.L.S. (Regional and Community 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: 31-37 credits

Thesis: The thesis option requires 31-34 credits.

Non-Thesis: The project option requires 34-37 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 - Appalachian Community Engagement (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)
• SOCI 5057 - Applied Sociology (3 credits)

Thesis Option: 12-15 credits

• MALS 5960 - Thesis (3 credits)  (repeatable up to 6 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: 15-18 credits

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