The
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at the University of Memphis
is designed for adults who have an interest in one or more of the
traditional areas of liberal learning: Natural science, social science,
humanities, and fine arts. The program is not for those seeking job
preparation or enhancement of job skills. Instead, the program is for
those seeking the personal enrichment provided by liberal learning and
the development of intellectual skills necessary to lifelong learning.
The skills emphasized in the program are the skills of liberal
learning: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Studying across
disciplines is the key to the M.A.L.S. program. A M.A.L.S. student
interested in developing a course of study examining the problem of hate
crimes, for example, may put together a program constituted primarily of
sociology and political science courses. Someone interested in
publishing children's literature may focus on English and journalism
courses. In other words, the program is for students who find
traditional graduate programs too limiting.
The program is
designed primarily for mature adults with a broad range of experience in
the everyday world; they bring an awareness of the limits of their
previous collegiate experience, an intellectual curiosity, and a host of
unanswered questions. These students should be willing to explore
multiple perspectives and to undertake the sometimes difficult but
exhilarating task of integrating and relating various disciplinary
approaches to common subject matter. They should be able to read
critically and write effectively, skills that will only improve
throughout their M.A.L.S. experience.
The M.A.L.S. program
- an alternative to the normal specialized, technical method of graduate
study - offers advanced students a way to create their own programs
within the realm of liberal studies. A true liberal studies program, the
M.A.L.S. program is for lifelong learners whose learning objectives
cannot be fulfilled in an ordinary major.
Click here to learn more about the recent MALS Programs and Final Projects
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- A minimum of 33 semester hours is required of all students.
- The M.A.L.S. core consists of 9 hours (UNIV 7000, 7100 & 7200).
- Approved electives in liberal studies courses - 21 hours.
- Special Project - 3 hours (UNIV 7996).
- Successful completion of an oral comprehensive examination.
Applicants to this program must apply to the Graduate School and meet its requirements, although they are not required to take the Graduate Record Examination or the Millers Analogies Test. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following: at least 24 of the 33 semester hours required must be at the 7000-level, or above, all requirements for the degree must be completed within six calendar years, and no more than nine semester hours of transfer credit can be accepted toward this degree. Applicants must also apply to the M.A.L.S. program through the University College.
INFORMATION
- Download the " Information Packet" and enquire about the application process from 901-678-4056 or email Rebecca Maxwell .
- Application form for the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies.
- Download the Student Handbook here.
- Download " Writing the Application Essay for MALS " here.
- Download "Comprehesive
Exam Protocol" here.
- Download "Special
Project Paper/Presentation and Comprehensive Exam" here.
PROGRAM CONTRACT FORMS
- Independent Study - [PDF] [ WORD] Document contains Out-of-Class Learning Contract for Independent Study (UNIV 7796).
- Special Project - [PDF] [ WORD] Document contains the Out-of-Class Learning Contract for Special Project (UNIV 7996).
- Program Contract Working Draft - [PDF] [ WORD] Document defines the course of study for the individual Master's Program - completed in the first semester.
- Program Contract Final Draft - [PDF] [ WORD] Document contains the final draft of contract - Submit it with special project contract.
All files are in WORD and PDF format. Acrobat reader is required to view the PDF files.
You can download the
