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Degrees and Certificates
Liberal Arts – MLA
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Expand Your Knowledge
Master of Liberal Arts
Although specialization is important for some job fields, innovative organizations also need leaders who can think deeply and differently, have knowledge of various disciplines, and make connections between disparate subjects to create new solutions, approaches, and products.
Graduates of the Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) program receive a well-rounded education in various disciplines that prepares them well for jobs in education, business, civil service, government, and the nonprofit sector. Many graduates have found full-time employment in community colleges or gone on to doctoral programs or law school. Students can complete the program online, in person, or a combination of both. But the 3 core classes are only online.
AUM’s Master of Liberal Arts offers specialization classes in:
Why AUM?
Our differences are our strengths!
Award-Winning
AUM is honored to have received many national and regional awards over the years. U.S. News & World Report named AUM one of its Top Public Schools for 2021, and Yahoo! Finance honored us as one of the Most Affordable Universities for 2021.
Affordable
We think a high-quality, graduate education should be affordable. Tuition rates for many of our programs are lower than at comparable universities. In addition, scholarship or other kinds of tuition assistance may be available.
Close-Knit
AUM offers a close-knit community where students and faculty get to know each other by name and develop valuable professional networks. We are able to keep class sizes small to facilitate group projects and personalized learning.
Career-Focused
We understand that one of the main reasons you are here is to expand your career options. That’s why our programs are practical and often apply to your current work situation. You’ll also have the opportunity to get valuable career assistance.
We Have the Answers
Ask Us Anything
To be accepted into the program, prospective students need to submit the application, the $25 application fee, and official transcripts from all previous universities. Students may begin the program in Fall (August), Spring (January), or Summer (early June) semesters. Students with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher in their undergraduate studies or last 60 credit hours are automatically accepted. Tests (such as the GRE or MAT) and letters of recommendation are not needed. However, a student with a GPA under 2.75 can take the test to gain admission to the MLA program. Students receive an admissions decision a few days after their official transcripts arrive.
MLA students compete for the AUM Graduate Merit Scholarship. Graduate research assistantships, which pay $1,500 a semester for about 8 hours per week, are also available.
To graduate, students take 3 interdisciplinary core classes and 9 electives of their choice. Students, however, can instead pass 6 electives and write a thesis to earn their master’s degree. The thesis is optional but is encouraged for those students intending to earn a Ph.D.
Previous graduates of the program have had an excellent track record of finding full-time jobs in community colleges, government jobs, the business world, and nonprofit organizations. The success rate of MLA graduates being accepted into doctoral programs or law school is well over 90%.
Degree Options
Rewarding Occupations and Job Growth
With this master’s degree, you have many career possibilities. Here is a sampling of the future job growth and salaries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (or another source, if noted).
| Career/Job Title | Entry-Level Education Requirements | Job Growth 2020 - 2030 | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resource Manager | Bachelors degree | 9% (As fast as average) | $121,220 |
| Education administrator | Masters degree | 8% (As fast as average) | $96,910 |
| Technical writer | Bachelors degree | 12% (Faster than average) | $78,060 |
| Mediator | Bachelors degree | 10% (As fast as average) | $49,410 |
| High school teacher | Bachelors degree | 8% (As fast as average) | $61,820 |
Note: Salaries vary depending on several factors including your level of experience, education, training, demographics, and industry. Available data represents job titles across industries and may not be specific to your job category.
Learn More
Quick Facts
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
At AUM’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, you will have powerful learning experiences, working side by side with professors who have real-world experience.
Our academic departments include Communication and Theatre, Criminal Justice, Economics, English and Philosophy, Fine Arts, History and World Cultures, Political Science and Public Administration, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, and Army ROTC. To help you pay for college, you might qualify for one of our scholarships.
Official Degree Name
Master of Liberal Arts
Eric Sterling
Distinguished Research Professor, MLA Program Director | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Modality
Students may complete this degree on campus or online. Students in these courses enroll in a program to connect in a campus setting and to collaborate using a variety of technological and educational tools. Professors play an inspirational role in building relationships among teams and individuals in this setting. The criteria for many programs can only be met with In-Class coursework. Be sure to check with your advisor to understand the best route to take.
