Abilene Christian University

What you'll study

The MLA requires 36 credit hours and a concentrated cluster of 18 hours centered on a chosen theme; no more than 18 hours may be applied to a single discipline. Students must include courses from at least two academic divisions and may pursue 12–15 credit hours of elective study outside the cluster. Available subject areas include arts and humanities, social sciences, religion and business, with course access across ACU’s graduate offerings (some courses may require prerequisites or departmental admission). The program culminates in a synthesis project tied to the cluster that demonstrates research ability and original thought, followed by a comprehensive assessment.

Entry requirements

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

Career prospects

Although not a professional degree, the MLA’s interdisciplinary rigor and research focus prepare graduates to present themselves as inquisitive, analytically capable candidates across fields such as education, communications, nonprofit management, social services, writing and reporting, public policy, business and other areas where broad-based critical thinking and communication skills are valued.

Scholarships & funding angle

The program page does not list specific scholarships; prospective students should contact ACU’s Office of Graduate Programs to learn about available funding, graduate tuition policies and any assistantships or departmental support that might apply.