Dominican University of California

What you'll study

This interdisciplinary master's emphasises breadth and integrative thinking across the humanities and liberal arts. Core components typically include a seminar in contemporary theory and interdisciplinary methods, a course in research methods for the humanities, and a required capstone or thesis project that allows you to pursue an extended research question or applied project.

• Core seminars: interdisciplinary theory, research methods for humanities, approaches to cultural analysis.
• Disciplinary electives: literature and literary studies, intellectual history, philosophy, art history, film and media studies, religious studies, and cultural studies.
• Skills modules: academic and public writing, archival research, digital humanities tools, and pedagogy for college-level teaching.
• Capstone options: research thesis, practicum project with a cultural or community partner, or an applied portfolio focused on public humanities, curriculum design or creative practice.

Courses are delivered in small, discussion-driven seminars with an emphasis on original research, close reading, critical writing and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Part-time and evening scheduling options are often available to accommodate working professionals.

Entry requirements

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or recognised international equivalent.
• Academic transcripts demonstrating successful undergraduate work in the liberal arts or related disciplines; programmes may consider applicants from diverse academic backgrounds.
• A personal statement or statement of purpose outlining academic interests, relevant experience and goals for graduate study.
• Two academic or professional letters of recommendation.
• A current curriculum vitae or resume; some applicants may be asked to submit a writing sample relevant to humanities scholarship.
• International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in line with university policy; additional documentation such as degree evaluation or credential evaluation may be required.

Admissions decisions take a holistic view of academic record, intellectual promise and alignment between the applicant's goals and the programme's strengths. Applicants with substantial professional experience in related fields are considered on the strength of their portfolio and statement.

Career prospects

Graduates use this degree as preparation for a variety of professional paths that value critical thinking, research skills and written communication. Typical career outcomes include:

• Positions in museums, archives, cultural institutions and historic sites (education, curation, interpretation).
• Roles in nonprofit organisations, advocacy groups and community programmes that require programme development, research and grant writing.
• Publishing, editing, communications, and content development for media and cultural organisations.
• Teaching at secondary or community college levels (additional credentials may be required for K–12 certification) and preparation for doctoral study in humanities disciplines.
• Work in public policy, research centres and consultancy where humanities-based analysis informs social and cultural projects.

The programme's practicum and capstone options often allow students to build professional networks and portfolios that ease the transition into these roles.

Why study at Dominican University of California

• Small, seminar-focused learning: Dominican emphasises close faculty mentorship and small class sizes that foster intensive discussion and personalised feedback on research and writing.
• Interdisciplinary approach: The programme is structured to cross disciplinary boundaries, enabling students to combine literature, history, philosophy and the arts into a coherent course of study tailored to their interests.
• Bay Area location: Proximity to San Francisco and the broader Bay Area provides access to museums, archives, cultural organisations, and internship opportunities that enrich applied learning.
• Community engagement: Dominican has a strong commitment to service and public scholarship; many students undertake community-based projects and partnerships as part of their capstone work.
• Flexible study options: The programme accommodates working professionals with part-time and evening course offerings and supports varied capstone formats — from traditional theses to applied portfolios.

Together, these features make the Master's in Liberal Arts and Sciences (General Studies and Humanities) at Dominican University of California a good fit for students seeking an intellectually rigorous, career-relevant and community-engaged graduate experience in the humanities.