Reed College

What you'll study

Coursework spans the arts, humanities, history, social sciences, mathematics and sciences, and all graduate courses are taught by Reed faculty. Students begin by taking at least two concurrent or consecutive Reed courses, including one liberal studies core course (examples include Chicago; Urban Modern; Memory & Modernity in the Indian Ocean). Other illustrative classes listed in the programme include Biological Legacy of Lewis and Clark and Archaeological Fantasies: Pseudo-archaeology, Pseudo-history, and Nationalism.

The curriculum is offered on a roughly two-year cycle with offerings and faculty varying by year. Courses meet weekly on campus, primarily in the evenings and during summer sessions. Students take a Gateway Course to develop a substantial research paper and prepare for the independent research required for the thesis. The programme culminates in a written thesis on a topic developed from the student’s course of study.

Entry requirements

The programme is open to applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Prospective students begin the process by completing at least two Reed courses (including a liberal studies core) before submitting an application for admission to formal candidacy to the Committee on Graduate Studies. Students meet with a faculty adviser to design their course of study that will lead to the capstone thesis.

Career prospects

The MALS is intended to support professional advancement, interdisciplinary scholarship and preparation for further study. Graduates have pursued PhDs at institutions such as Columbia, Northwestern, Case Western Reserve, Boston University and Oregon State, and others have completed master’s-level study in library science, history, teaching, fine arts, and peace and conflict studies. Alumni examples include a museum curator who received a fellowship to continue thesis research and a recipient of an Oregon Heritage Grant for professional work related to the programme.

Scholarships & funding angle

The programme notes instances where graduates obtained external fellowships and grants to extend thesis research and professional projects. Prospective students should explore external fellowships, grants and institutional funding opportunities relevant to their research topic or professional field, and inquire with the College about any graduate-level support or guidance on external funding sources.