The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at the University of Memphis is designed for adults who have an interest in two 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. Students 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.

To learn more about the recent MALS programs and special projects.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of 33 semester hours is required of all students.
• The M.A.L.S. core consists of nine hours (UNIV 7000, 7100 & 7200).
• Approved electives in liberal studies courses - 21 hours.
• Special Project - three 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

1. Information Packet or contact Rebecca Maxwell at 901.678.2716 or rjmaxll@memphis.edu
2. Application form for the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
   
   
3. Student Handbook
   
   
4. Writing the Application Essay for MALS
    
5. Comprehensive Exam Protocol
    
6. Special Project Paper/Presentation and Comprehensive Exam

PROGRAM CONTRACT FORMS

1. Independent Study - [PDF] [ WORD] Document contains Out-of-Class Learning Contract for Independent Study (UNIV 7796).
   
   
2. Special Project - [PDF] [ WORD] Document contains the Out-of-Class Learning Contract for Special Project (UNIV 7996).
   
   
3. Program Contract Working Draft - [PDF] [ WORD] Document defines the course of study for the individual Master's Program - completed in the first semester.
   
   
4. Program Contract Final Draft - [PDF] [ WORD] Document contains the final draft of contract - Submit it with special project contract.