Master of Liberal Arts
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Master of Liberal Arts Degree at a Glance
Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement offers an interdisciplinary Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) degree to prepare students for versatile leadership opportunities across industries. The MLA degree program at Tulane, which began in 1983, exposes students to a wide range of reflections on the human experience, over different epochs and from multiple perspectives.
Course offerings include academic disciplines such as history, literature, philosophy, political science, and sociology. The program promotes the development of skills in reading, writing, and oral communication and culminates in a Capstone Project or Portfolio*. The School of Professional Advancement’s MLA program welcomes students of diverse educational backgrounds, and in coordination with the MLA director, Dr. Delila Omerbasic, students will develop a plan of study tailored to their individual interests.
*The Capstone is optional for students who began the MLA prior to Fall 2019.
TRANSFER
Transfer up to nine credits of graduate level courses to your program and earn your degree for less.
FACULTY
Nationally recognized faculty who practice what they teach and help you succeed beyond the classroom.
LOCATION
Flexible online courses that match your schedule. Accelerate your career without putting your life on pause.
BENEFITS
Course credit for experience and 20% tuition discounts available.
ADMISSIONS
Rolling admissions. No test scores. No recommendations. Four start dates. We make the admission process easy.
What You Will Learn While Earning Your Master of Liberal Arts
Earning a master's degree in liberal arts involves developing critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills, along with research methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches. The program fosters historical and cultural awareness, ethical and philosophical reasoning, and social and political understanding, offering insights into cultural diversity, historical contexts, moral principles, and political institutions. Additionally, students gain an appreciation for aesthetics and literature, develop technological and digital literacy, and are prepared for lifelong learning and adaptability, equipping them with versatile skills applicable to various careers and life pursuits.
- Social Science Foundations
- Humanities Foundations
- Quantitative Reasoning
Students are required to complete ten courses. These must include at least two core courses (designated MLAR), while students may be eligible to enroll in other graduate-level liberal arts courses at Tulane. As their tenth course, students will enroll in a Capstone seminar to complete either a Capstone Project or a Capstone Portfolio. MLA students who wish to write a thesis in lieu of the tenth course may petition the Director to do so.
The School of Professional Advancement awards the Master of Liberal Arts degree following the successful completion of ten courses. Students may not apply more than two independent study courses toward graduation requirements for the MLA. Graduate students seeking to enroll in more than 9 credit hours per semester require approval from the Program Director. Students must also apply for a degree at the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to complete all required coursework. Applications for degree conferral are now online and will appear in a student's Gibson account when available.
The MLA Capstone allows students to critically and systematically integrate the knowledge gained in the program. Students will have two options – the Capstone Project and the Capstone Portfolio. Students will work with the MLA Director to determine the best option for their learning goals. Each option will feature a seminar, which will serve as the 10th course in the MLA program. Students wishing to complete a master’s thesis will be exempt from the Capstone requirement.
