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Liberal Studies, Master of Arts

If you are an intellectually curious student with interests that span various fields of inquiry, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Liberal Studies at St. John’s offers you the opportunity to pursue multidisciplinary graduate education.

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Earn a master's degree in Liberal Studies at St. John's University in New York City!

If you are an intellectually curious student with interests that span various fields of inquiry, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Liberal Studies at St. John’s offers you the opportunity to pursue multidisciplinary graduate education.

The program features four tracks:

  • Humanities
  • Social Science
  • Cultural Studies (with an optional concentration in Women's and Gender Studies)
  • Interdisciplinary Research

In any track you choose according to your individual interests and goals, you will prepare for a wide range of career opportunities. You may also prepare for further doctoral study if you choose that path. The program's flexible curriculum and course scheduling is especially well-suited for working professionals pursuing a graduate degree part-time. 

Department Contact

Rev. Jean-Pierre Ruiz, S.T.D.
Director, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
718-990-1393
[email protected]

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Degree Type
MA
Area of Interest
Humanities
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
Required Credit Hours
33

Admission

Office of Graduate Admission
718-990-1601
[email protected]

Courses

You have the opportunity to design your own course of study in this multidisciplinary program, in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Your selection of courses will follow one of four tracks:

You choose an area of concentration — either history, literature, or philosophy — and complete five courses in that area of concentration along with two courses each from the two cognate disciplines.

You choose an area of concentration — either economics, history, government and politics, psychology, or sociology and anthropology — and take five courses in that area of concentration along with two courses from any two cognate disciplines.

You choose five from among a list of courses dealing with anthropological and cultural themes, along with four courses related to cultural areas. These include but are not limited to: Latin America; Far Eastern cultures; Eastern Europe; Africa; and the Middle East.

In consultation with faculty and the program director, you devise an individual program of research. Once the program director approves your proposed program, you select courses from your area of concentration and at least two other relevant areas.

No matter which track you choose, you also complete an introductory and integrating seminar for a total of 11 three-credit courses and complete a research project in your area of concentration.

Career Outcomes

With an M.A. in Liberal Studies from St. John’s, you will be well-prepared for a wide range of professional goals, as well as for competitive doctoral programs. Graduates of the program find opportunities in a variety of career fields, including higher education, finance, communications, and public service. Opportunities are not limited to these fields; the research, communication, and critical thinking skills you acquire are competitive in all professional and academic pursuits.

Tuition and Financial Aid

You may apply for graduate assistantships throughout the University. These positions offer tuition remission and, typically, a stipend. You can find more information about graduate assistantships on the Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships page.

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