The MLA is a 30-hour program which requires 18–24 hours in an area of concentration chosen from English, history, or political science. Students may choose 6-12 hours of electives from the areas of concentration not used as major concentration and/or art history, music history, psychology, sociology, economics, religion, philosophy, or women’s studies.
The mission of the Master of Liberal Arts degree is to broaden the student’s knowledge base in English, history, or political science and other liberal arts disciplines.
Objectives
Upon completing the Master of Liberal Arts degree, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the chosen area of concentration; and
- Describe the interrelatedness of elective liberal arts courses.
Outcomes
- Candidates will demonstrate competence in concentration appropriate research skills.
- Candidates will express themselves in written communication in discipline appropriate ways.
- Candidates will demonstrate the oral skills to present before peers.
To be admitted to the MLA degree program, the applicant should have the following credentials:
- Graduation from a recognized college;
- Overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for full admission;
- A completed application form online, $40.00 application fee, two letters of recommendation (with at least one from an academic source), official transcripts from all colleges attended; and
- $100 Graduate Deposit Fee;
- A personal statement of approximately one page (250-300 words). Describe either an experience that prompted you to seek entrance into the degree program to which you are applying OR your reasons for wanting to enter the degree program. In keeping with the Honor Tradition at Converse, your essay must be entirely your own work and must indicate by proper documentation any ideas or words that come from another source. Organize your essay clearly, proofread, and spell-check your essay carefully. Use specific details and avoid clichés. For example, instead of repeating, “I want to help people,” describe a specific example of how you have already helped someone grow and describe how you will be able to help others grow after you have completed the degree you seek. Your essay should include your personal reflection on the value of a liberal education, and more specifically the M.L.A. program at Converse, since the M.L.A. is designed specifically to strengthen the liberal education of degree seekers.
All applications will come before the Graduate Admissions Committee. The Committee will accept applicants fully or provisionally, defer applicants, or reject applicants based on its determination of likelihood for success in graduate studies. Having the minimal credentials does not guarantee a student’s admission.
Prospective students may wish to schedule an appointment with the program director.
To complete the requirements for the MLA degree, the graduate student must:
- Complete an approved 36-hour program in one of the designated areas of the program within a five-year period from first Converse graduate course in MLA degree programs;
- Maintain an overall B average in both the liberal arts concentration and the liberal arts electives;
- Complete all coursework, including any incomplete courses, with grades submitted to the Registrar by the required date for graduates at the end of spring term;
- Request and complete the Application for Degree form by the deadline for May Commencement;
- Complete the graduate questionnaire, for which students will receive a link through their Converse email; and
- Fulfill all financial obligations and have cleared any outstanding business with the University one week prior to the Commencement exercises
The MLA has a minimum of 30 graduate semester hours
Concentration Area
Choose one concentration:
Electives
Any of the other concentration areas:
- Art History
- Economics
- Music History
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Religion
- Philosophy
- Women’s Studies (not all courses may count if not a liberal arts)