Department website: https://www.atu.edu/worldlanguages

The MLA degree is suited to the student who is interested in graduate study in the liberal arts, but is less interested in a research degree in a specific arts discipline or in a graduate degree in a technical area. The MLA is useful for English, speech, theatre, journalism, and social studies teachers at any level who want to deepen their knowledge of the areas they teach. Other professionals who have specialized educational backgrounds, but who have an interest in the liberal arts, will also find the MLA attractive. This program grants students a great deal of educational and creative freedom, allowing them to tailor their education to their specific interests and career goals.

This program may be completed online.

The MLA degree requires coursework in at least three different subjects within the College of Art and Humanities. 

Unconditional Admission

Students are eligible to apply for unconditional admission to the Master of Liberal Arts degree program if they meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who fail to meet the grade point requirement specified for unconditional admission may be admitted conditionally to enroll for a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours. If a student was admitted conditionally based on grade point average, the condition will be met if upon completion of twelve (12) semester hours, a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better is achieved.

Degree Requirements for MLA with Project Option

• The completion of at least 30 semester hours of graduate course work, at least 15 of which must be at the 6000.
• The satisfactory completion of LA 6013 Introduction to the Liberal Arts (must be taken before the completion of twelve semester hours of graduate course work).
• LA 6711 Liberal Arts Project - requirements for this course include a cumulative scholarly research paper or significant creative project.
• The completion of coursework that includes at three different graduate subjects offered by the College of Arts and Humanities (i.e., Art, Communications, English, History, Journalism, Music, Psychology, Sociology, and TESL). The required Liberal Arts classes do not count toward this distribution requirement.
• A minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate course work completed in residence at (Full time residence is not required.).

Degree Requirements for MLA with Exam Option 

• The satisfactory completion of a comprehensive exam based on course.¹
• The satisfactory completion of LA 6013 Introduction to the Liberal Arts (must be taken before the completion of twelve semester hours of graduate course work).
• The completion of coursework that includes at three different graduate subjects offered by the College of Arts and Humanities (i.e., Art, Communications, English, History, Journalism, Music, Psychology, Sociology, and TESL). The required Liberal Arts classes do not count toward this distribution requirement.

¹

This comprehensive exam is comprised of two sections, each focusing on information covered in one of the courses completed as part of the degree program. Students who choose the exam option should complete and return the following form to the program director no later than two weeks before the scheduled examination: Application for MLA Examinations.

Students who complete the program will be able to:

1. Generate writing that demonstrates an advanced ability to analyze and synthesize.
2. Conduct original research.
3. Demonstrate familiarity with interdisciplinary study.