Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate Online

Programme overview

The Master of Liberal Arts is a 36-credit graduate degree normally completed in about two years. The program is intentionally customizable: students work with an advisor to build a degree plan drawing on courses from at least two academic divisions and form a concentrated 18-hour cluster around a chosen theme. A faculty committee supervises progress and evaluates the culminating work.

What you'll study

Coursework is drawn from a broad range of ACU graduate offerings spanning the arts and humanities, social sciences, religion and business. Your plan must include a concentrated cluster (typically 18 credit hours) focused on a coherent topic; no more than 18 hours may be applied to any single discipline, and 12–15 hours may cover other interests. The program emphasizes research, originality of thought and a synthesis project that reflects your cluster; the degree concludes with a written and/or oral comprehensive examination based on that synthesis.

Entry requirements

• Complete an online application and pay a $50 application fee.
• Provide official transcripts in English (or translated) showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent.
• Have an undergraduate record equivalent to approximately a B average in the area of focus or related field and evidence of an overall productive GPA.
• Submit two letters of recommendation (may be provided via the online application).
• Write a statement of purpose describing objectives for entering the MLA program.
• Agree to a personal interview with the MLA advisor or an appointed representative.

Career prospects

Although not a vocational degree, the MLA’s emphasis on interdisciplinary analysis, research, communication and ethical reasoning supports advancement or transition into roles in communication, business, education, marketing and advertising, nonprofit management, social services, journalism and public policy, as well as preparation for further graduate study.

Scholarships & funding angle

Funding options and eligibility are not detailed on the program page; prospective applicants should contact ACU’s Office of Graduate Programs to ask about assistantships, scholarships, institutional aid and external funding that may apply to graduate study.