Antioch University

What you'll study

Students begin with two Foundations courses to learn the self-design process and research methods, and a third Foundations course to create an individualized degree plan and select a mentor. You then take specialization coursework and complete either a Capstone or Thesis.

• Master’s Portfolio (0 credits) — reflective collection required for graduation.
• Foundations: 3 courses (9 credits) — introduction to self-design and research in your field.
• Specialization courses: 7–8 courses (21–24 credits) — any combination of seminars and individualized courses you design with instructors. Specializations include Creative Writing, Intercultural Studies, and Interdisciplinary Humanities, or a custom specialization you create.
• Capstone (3 credits) or Thesis (6 credits).

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or an institution recognized by regional accreditation). The online application is used to apply; there is no application fee.

Career prospects

The program supports varied outcomes depending on specialization and project choices. Graduates may prepare for doctoral work or other terminal degrees (the Interdisciplinary specialization explicitly readies students for doctoral study or law), pursue careers that draw on advanced writing, research, intercultural communication, or community-oriented projects, or use the portfolio to demonstrate competencies to employers or graduate programs.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

New master’s students may be eligible for the President’s Merit Scholarship, awarded based on prior academic performance (minimum 3.40 GPA) and work/life experience. The scholarship provides $6,000 disbursed equally over the first two academic years; recipients must remain enrolled full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress and complete each registered course to continue receiving the award. See the university’s Scholarships and Grants page for additional information.