Liberal Studies, MLSt
Build cultural fluency and broad perspectives that can accelerate your career across many industries. This program helps you connect ideas, adapt with confidence and turn insight into professional momentum wherever your path leads.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Liberal Studies master's degree description
The Master of Liberal Studies program is an advanced degree offering that situates knowledge and know-how at the intersection of culture, community and profession. Its emphasis on integrative, applied knowledge and cross-disciplinary approach cultivates your capacity to see and understand the complex reality of societal problems and navigate challenges across cultural, professional and personal contexts. Communication, holistic analysis, perspective-taking and research are featured aspects of all core courses.
A distinct aspect of the program is the customization of learning. Working closely with faculty advisors, you build the majority of your program by choosing from a wide-ranging list of elective courses that best meet your interests and needs. With courses from across the humanities, social sciences, arts and natural sciences, this program prepares you to become a master learner and problem-solver. The program culminates in an applied learning experience under the guidance of a seasoned faculty member.
Why study liberal studies at ASU?
Study within a program that has long belonged to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs, a mark of academic quality and recognition.
You take just three core MLSt courses, then choose electives from across the entire university catalog, shaping a degree that fits your own interests and career goals. Your applied project turns vision into action, whether you pursue research, creative work or community engagement.
With multiple start dates offered throughout the year, you can begin when the timing works for your life.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours including the required applied project courses (MLS 582 and MLS 593)
Required Core (9 credit hours) Electives (15 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
MLS 510 Communicating in Complex Cultural Environments (3)
MLS 511 Advanced Liberal Studies and Worlds of Possibility (3)
MLS 512 Exploring and Expressing Ideas (3)
MLS 582 Applied Project Plan (3)
MLS 593 Applied Project (3)
Featuring courses from English, film and media studies, and art, this program prepares students to become master learners across a wide variety of cultural and social contexts. Electives are chosen in conjunction with graduate advisors.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Effectively assess knowledge about complex communication, drawing on use-inspired or disciplinary research to construct contextually appropriate interpretations and responses across contrasting social and cultural contexts
- Create multimodal communication outputs that address contemporary social and cultural dynamics from multiple perspectives
- Design an applied project using creative and critical inquiry supported by research
Effectively assess knowledge about complex communication, drawing on use-inspired or disciplinary research to construct contextually appropriate interpretations and responses across contrasting social and cultural contexts
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this liberal studies master's degree prepares you for
Professionals with excellent critical problem-solving and communication skills are in high demand across sectors and industries, including business, media, entertainment, politics and community organizations. Skills in communication, creative practice, and the collection and critical analysis of data for the development of impactful content are valuable to businesses, nonprofit organizations and institutions that rely on relevant strategies to engage and serve diverse audiences.
Career examples include:
- archivist
- business manager for artists, performers and athletes
- market research analyst
- public relations specialist
- writer or creative writer
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Applied Sciences and Arts
|
SANCA 233
SASAGrad@asu.edu
480-727-1526
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
