The Master of Arts in the Liberal Arts (MALA) program is a graduate-level, masters-granting program administered by the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. The program is interdisciplinary, designed for both full-time and part-time students. While the program has some basic guidelines and requirements, there is no single path to graduation. The curriculum is almost entirely shaped by each student's interests.

The MALA Mission is to

• provide graduate-level opportunities for students to pursue studies not provided by traditional department programs;

• encourage non-traditional students (especially working adults) to pursue graduate-level interdisciplinary education;

• serve as an incubator for programs of study not currently formally created;

• allow students an opportunity to re-enter academia after professional or personal hiatus; and

• foster an academic course of study that suits each student's individual interests and schedule.

To those ends, MALA strives to provide academic opportunities at the graduate level that discipline-specific degree programs at LSU do not. The MALA program pushes independent-minded students to pursue interdisciplinary research and studies.

Dr. Bradley K. Storin in the director of the MALA program. He is also the Associate Professor of the History of Christianity in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies here at LSU. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Office: 113 Coates Hall Email: bstorin@lsu.edu

 

Students may pursue the MALA program in one of two ways:

• the on-campus, in-person program, or

• the entirely asynchronous experience of LSU Online.

Please know that the modalities are not interchangeable; once a student selects the modality, they must remain within it.

On-Campus MALA Program

Students who pursue the on-campus MALA program seek a more traditional graduate school experience. Most courses occur in-person and according to a set schedule, although some may be web-based. Additionally, students will complete the program by either writing a thesis or submitting a portfolio of materials. The degree requirements explain the details of the curriculum.

LSU Online MALA Program

Students who pursue the MALA through LSU Online seek a streamlined, flexible approach to their graduate education. For more information, visit the LSU Online page for the Master's in Liberal Arts. Click here more information about LSU Online.

Students must successfully complete 36 hours of course credit in order to earn the MALA degree.

Among the program’s 36 hours, students must take:

• LIBA 7000: "Methods of Inquiry"  (a 3-hour course offered each First Fall Session in a web-based modality)
• LIBA 7900: "Themes and Commonalities" (a 3-hour course offered each First Spring Session in a web-based modality).

Students should also know that

• no more than half of the program’s 36 hours can be taken in any single unit;
• at least half of the program’s 36 hours of coursework must be at the 7000-level (other courses must be taken at the 4000-level); and
• all 4000-level courses must be taught by members of the Graduate Faculty (you may consult the list here).

Students must complete the program by

• writing a thesis and defending it before a three-person committee, or
• compiling a portfolio of three papers written during MALA coursework (the non-thesis option) and discussing it with a three-person committee.

Thesis Guidelines

• MALA students who want to write a master's thesis will register for 6 hours of LIBA 8000 (3 hours in the fall of their second year, 3 hours in the spring of their second year) and identify a major area of concentration and research. Then, they will need to select a thesis advisor, usually from the field in which the student's interest lies. This faculty member will advise students on course selection, research directions, etc. They will also recruit two additional professors with membership on the graduate faculty, whose specialization is adjacent to the field of research, to participate on the thesis committee; this three-person committee should be formed by the beginning of the student’s final semester. The committee will evaluate the thesis and participate in the defense. It is the student’s responsibility to recruit members of the thesis committee.

Portfolio Guidelines

• MALA students on the non-thesis track will compile a portfolio consisting of three major research projects/essays from their time in the program, plus a brief introductory essay that ties the essays together and places them in the context of the student's overall course of study. This portfolio of work serves as the material for the MALA master’s defense, which takes place in the student’s final semester. The student will work with the program director to determine the contents of the portfolio and the nature of the introductory essay. Two weeks before the student's oral discussion, the portfolio must be submitted to the committee (program director and two additional professors with membership on the graduate faculty).

 

General catalog

Academic Calendar

Members of the graduate faculty

LSU Graduate school forms

Students must successfully complete 36 hours of course credit in order to earn the MALA degree.

Among the program’s 36 hours, students must take:

• LIBA 7000: "Methods of Inquiry"  (a 3-hour course offered each First Fall Session), and
• LIBA 7900: "Themes and Commonalities" (a 3-hour course offered each First Spring Session).

Students should also know that

• no more than half of the program’s 36 hours can be taken in any single unit;
• at least half of the program’s 36 hours of coursework must be at the 7000-level (other courses must be taken at the 4000-level); and
• all 4000-level courses must be taught by members of the Graduate Faculty (you may consult the list here).

Click here more information about LSU Online.

 

Academic calendar

Members of the graduate faculty

lsu graduate school forms

In addition to LSU Graduate School admission requirements, you will need to supply

• a statement of purpose;
• 2-3 professional recommendations;
• writing sample (optional); and
• GRE scores (optional).

Financial Aid
MALA is an interdisciplinary program, not an academic department.  Hence, MALA itself does not have a budget for assistantships or financial aid.  Normal financial aid opportunities are available through the LSU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

 

Apply to the on-campus MALA Program through the LSU graduate school

apply to the lsu online mala program