Liberal Arts, M.L.A.

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Learn more about the Master of Liberal Arts.

About the Program

The Master of Liberal Arts is an interdisciplinary degree that allows students to take courses from a variety of graduate programs in the College of Liberal Arts and elsewhere in the University. Students are encouraged to develop an individual program of study, based on their own interests and objectives and in consultation with the M.L.A. Program Director. Our students are generally working adults who want to grow intellectually by extending their liberal arts education. Some may be seeking to move toward a doctorate and want to prepare themselves for more advanced graduate coursework; others may be interested in changing careers and wish to gain post-baccalaureate experience. The M.L.A. degree might be relevant, for example, for those who want to move into educational administration, library work, public policy, the law, or teaching.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years

Campus Location: Main, Center City

Students take required and elective courses at the Main and Center City campuses.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Students complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. However, the program allows for flexibility and students are able to take courses at other times. The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Continuous Enrollment: Students must maintain continuous enrollment. When a student knows that s/he will not register for the Fall or Spring term, s/he must submit a "Leave of Absence Request" form, found in TUportal under the Tools tab within “University Forms,” along with the $25 fee to the M.L.A. administrative office. If a student fails to register for two consecutive terms without submitting Leave of Absence forms, then s/he may be dismissed from the program for non-continuous enrollment.

Interdisciplinary Study: Students are introduced to interdisciplinary thinking through a range of "Topics" courses and encouraged to develop individual programs of study along interdisciplinary lines. Specific themes for all M.L.A. courses may change for any given academic term and depend on the instructor.

Areas of Specialization: The M.L.A. program draws on faculty from across the range of disciplines in the College of Liberal Arts, with an emphasis on applied humanities, engaging such areas as arts and culture, media studies, public history, and social theory. Students may also choose to concentrate their course of study by taking courses outside of the M.L.A. curriculum, in addition to the required M.L.A courses.

Job Prospects: While not a professional degree, the M.L.A. degree may be applicable to a wide range of future graduate training and/or employment: from teaching and educational administration to library work; from public policy to arts management; and from government, the law, and public service to private sector work.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students may take up to 9 credits of graduate work at Temple University before applying to the program. Coursework may be credited to the M.L.A. degree with approval of the M.L.A. Advisory Committee.

Financing Opportunities: Funding opportunities are not available.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: March 1
Spring: November 1

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but all application materials must be received by the deadline to be considered for that term. Late applications may be considered for admission.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be requested from individuals who are well positioned to evaluate the applicant's academic abilities and accomplishments as well as potential for graduate study.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: All applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for admission.

Statement of Goals: In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, describe your academic and research achievements, current research interests, and why Temple’s M.L.A. program and interdisciplinary graduate study in the liberal arts are the right match to attain your academic and professional goals.

Standardized Test Scores:
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

• TOEFL iBT: 79
• IELTS Academic: 6.5
• PTE Academic: 53

Resume: Current academic CV or professional resume required.

Transcripts: An official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended is required.

Transfer Credit: Graduate credits from an accredited institution may be transferred into the M.L.A. program upon approval. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple and not older than five years. The grade(s) earned must be a "B" or better in order to transfer. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30

Required Courses:

Culminating Events:
Qualifying Paper:
All candidates for the M.L.A. degree are required to write a Qualifying Paper, which is typically 40 to 50 pages in length. It should demonstrate the student's ability to:

• write analytically on a topic of her/his choice;
• read, absorb, and evaluate scholarly thought and research; and
• develop and establish her/his own perspective on the problem being examined.

The Qualifying Paper is submitted for approval to the M.L.A. Advisory Committee or other graduate faculty chosen by the M.L.A. program. Revisions may be requested.

Contacts

Department Contacts: