Academics

UNC Asheville's Master of Liberal Arts Program is an interdisciplinary, part-time course of study for college educated adults who are interested in broad-based learning at the graduate level.

The Master of Liberal Arts degree focuses on the theme "The Human Condition." The program explores human nature, human values, and the quality of human life. The theme integrates studies ranging from the humanities and the arts to the natural and social sciences, allowing students to focus on issues of importance in contemporary culture and to build individualized, interdisciplinary curriculum around the following focus areas: Climate Change and Society; Globalization Past and Present; Humanities and Creative Writing; Science and Human Values.

Throughout, the MLA program fosters critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication.

To earn the MLA, students must successfully complete 10 courses (30 credit hours) comprised of 8 seminar courses (24 credit hours) and the capstone project seminar (2 courses, 6 credit hours). Please review the Degree Requirements for complete details.

The MLA Program offers seminars in the following concentrations:

• Climate Change & Society 
• Globalization Past & Present
• Humanities & Creative Writing
• Science & Human Values

Seminar topics within these concentrations change each semester.  Please check the current semester's Course Descriptions for details.

We strongly recommend that, if at all possible, students participate in professional academic conferences both to fulfill the University’s degree requirement of “Oral Competency,” and to experience the intellectual growth such activities provide. Similarly, we encourage students to participate in community-related activities and Study Abroad opportunities related to their academic program.

The MLA Program will host the 2011 Regional Graduate Liberal Studies Conference in April 2011.  Read more. . .