MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts is now offering an advanced degree that allows students to develop skills and expand knowledge in subjects they’re most passionate about pursuing.

The new Master of Arts in Liberal Arts is an innovative program allowing anyone with a bachelor’s degree to earn a graduate degree through a course of study built around subjects they find most captivating.

“The MALA program is unique in that it gives students the flexibility to create their own paths, focusing on those subjects that are most interesting and valuable in achieving their personal or professional goals,” said Dr. Dawn McCormack, program director.

Dr. Dawn McCormack

Dr. Mark Byrnes

Students will attend engaging courses taught by top professors and have opportunities to participate in projects in the region or even enroll in education-abroad courses around the world. University officials say the degree would be valuable to lifelong learners, professionals, students returning to school after a break, and even recent graduates.

“The idea is to personalize the experience for each student and to provide students with the content and skills they need to achieve that first job, work toward a promotion, change career directions, or look for ways to deepen their experiences as lifetime learners,” McCormack added.

The program provides students with opportunities to refine practical skills, research methods, and the ability to effectively work with people from diverse backgrounds.

“MALA is an exciting initiative for the College of Liberal Arts,” said Dr. Mark Byrnes, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “The program is deeply rooted in the tradition of a classical liberal arts education, which exposes students to many facets of our world while helping them develop the highly practical skills of critical thinking, adaptability and effective reading, writing and speaking.”

With guidance from McCormack, students will build a personal plan of study from within liberal arts departments and programs. Among the choices: art, communications studies and organizational communication, English, foreign languages and literatures, global studies and cultural geography, history, music, philosophy, political science and international relations, sociology and anthropology, and theatre and dance.

For more information for the new liberal arts master’s degree, contact McCormack at mala@mtsu.edu, 615-898-5986 or visit www.mtsu.edu/mala.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)