Earn Your Master of Liberal Arts
On Campus
Campus/Online Combo
Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement offers an interdisciplinary Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) degree to prepare students for versatile leadership opportunities across industries. The MLA degree program at Tulane, which began in 1983, exposes students to a wide range of reflections on the human experience, over different epochs and from multiple perspectives.
Course offerings include academic disciplines such as history, literature, philosophy, political science, and sociology. The program promotes the development of skills in reading, writing, and oral communication and culminates in a Capstone Project or Portfolio*. The School of Professional Advancement’s MLA program welcomes students of diverse educational backgrounds, and in coordination with the MLA director, Dr. Delila Omerbasic, students will develop a plan of study tailored to their individual interests.
*The Capstone is optional for students who began the MLA prior to Fall 2019.
Expand Your Critical Thinking Skills With A Master of Liberal Arts
Students in the MLA program benefit from Tulane’s long-standing legacy of liberal arts achievement, balanced with flexible course schedules catered to working professionals. No matter your current profession, you can earn a versatile master’s degree focused on developing your critical thinking and communication skills. You’ll gain access to the full spectrum of graduate-level liberal arts courses offered through Tulane University, combined with SoPA’s dedication to professional development. Explore the different courses in our program and get more information about SoPA’s admissions process on our YouTube playlist.
Cater Your Degree to Meet Your Professional Goals
With a Master of Liberal Arts degree, students develop a foundation of knowledge applicable to a wide range of professional settings. Depending on your personalized plan of study, you may pursue advanced roles in corporate and office settings or nonprofit organizations, as well as government agencies or educational institutions. Common industries that align well with the MLA program include advertising, human resources, journalism, and post-secondary education.
Graduates may be eligible to fulfill any of the following professional roles:
- Reporter or Broadcast News Analyst
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Writer or Editor
Build Your Network With an Esteemed Program Faculty
The MLA program faculty includes liberal arts and sciences faculty from across Tulane the university, allowing you to tailor your program of study to your interests. With such a diverse professional faculty, students gain access to a far-reaching professional network across the Gulf South.
MLA Admission Requirements
Students applying to the MLA program must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Applications to the program must include:
- A statement of 250-500 words describing how graduate education at Tulane University would support them to achieve personal and/or professional objectives.
- Official college transcripts from each college attended. Typically, successful applicants will have at least a “B” (3.00) average in all coursework taken.
Applicants may be conditionally admitted to enroll in one course in their first semester and must earn a grade of B or better to gain regular admission.
Completed applications are reviewed by the MLA director and Admissions Committee throughout the year.
MLA Degree Requirements
The School of Professional Advancement awards the Master of Liberal Arts degree following the successful completion of ten courses. Students may not apply more than two independent study courses toward graduation requirements for the MLA. Graduate students seeking to enroll in more than 9 credit hours per semester require approval from the Program Director. Students must also apply for a degree at the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to complete all required coursework. Applications for degree conferral are now online and will appear in a student's Gibson account when available.
The MLA Capstone allows students to critically and systematically integrate the knowledge gained in the program. Students will have two options – the Capstone Project and the Capstone Portfolio. Students will work with the MLA Director to determine the best option for their learning goals. Each option will feature a seminar, which will serve as the 10th course in the MLA program. Students wishing to complete a master’s thesis will be exempt from the Capstone requirement.
Eligibility for Transfer Credits
Students in good standing may petition to transfer a maximum of nine credit hours (three courses) of graduate coursework from other accredited colleges or universities to the Master of Liberal Arts degree. However, only courses with grades of B or better, completed within five years of enrolling in the MLA program, may be considered for transfer credit.
Listing of Required Courses
Students are required to complete ten courses. These must include at least two core courses (designated MLAR), while students may be eligible to enroll in other graduate-level liberal arts courses at Tulane. As their tenth course, students will enroll in a Capstone seminar to complete either a Capstone Project or a Capstone Portfolio. MLA students who wish to write a thesis in lieu of the tenth course may petition the Director to do so.
Tuition & Fees
Information about SoPA tuition and fees may be found here.
Some courses have fees to support the technology needed for high-quality virtual and on-ground experiences. These fees are always listed on the schedule of classes.
Enter your email to download our Humanities & Social Sciences e-brochure.
By submitting this form, you agree to receive information about the Tulane School of Professional Advancement’s programs via email, phone and/or text. You may opt out at any time.