Master of Liberal Arts: Focused or Interdisciplinary Studies

The MLA in Liberal Studies offers two “build-your-own” tracks.

In the Focused Studies track , students explore a particular subject from within the larger perspective of the liberal arts, earning 18 of the 33 required hours in a specific discipline. As part of their core requirements, students may take courses in pedagogy and education, theory, or research methods, which would enable them to teach at the community college level (with the 18hrs), continue on for the Ph.D., or work in areas related to their chosen field of study.

In the Interdisciplinary Studies track , students build their own unique degree from various disciplines (e.g., culture and the environment, ethics and the workplace, social justice and engagement, etc.) and related core requirements, preparing them for future study or professional careers in related areas, including work for non-profits and other businesses.

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree with at least 3.0 cumulative GPA or a GPA of 3.0 on their upper two years of baccalaureate work (Students who do not meet this requirement must submit a standardized test score as outlined below).*
• Written Statement (2-3 pages addressing the applicant’s reasons for enrolling in this MLA program, major scholarly interests, educational and career goals).
• Writing Sample (substantial term paper, e-portfolio, or other evidence of academic or professional writing ability).
• Three Letters of Recommendation (letters should be from people who have supervised the applicant’s academic or professional work).

• Students who do not meet this requirement must submit a GRE test score with at least a 153 or higher Verbal section (500 or higher if the test was taken prior to August 2011) and a 4.5 on the essay portion. The GRE must have been taken within the previous five years. The following alternate standardized tests, also taken within the previous five years, will be considered on a case-by-case basis: LSAT, GMAT, or MAT (at the discretion of the Graduate Admissions Committee).

  Students may choose from one of two track options:

Track One – Focused Studies in Liberal Arts

Program Requirements

Total minimum required hours: 33 credit hours (Course Checklist Form)

• 18 credit hours must be taken within a particular disciplinary field at the 5000 level or above
• 9 credit hours elective hours from approved courses – 5000 level or above
• 6 credit hours thesis or 6 credit hours project option

Core Requirements:

• Introduction to Graduate Study (ENG 6009)**This course must be taken in the first Fall semester of study.

AND at least one of the following in subsequent semesters:

• Composition Pedagogy (ENC 6745)*, OR
• Research Methods in Mass Communications (MMC 6421)*, OR
• Role of Education in a Democracy (EDG 6931)*

• other courses may be substituted to meet the student’s individual course of study only upon advance approval by the Program Director.

  AND at least one of the following in subsequent semesters:

  • Ethics in Private and Professional Life (PHI 6605), OR
  • Graduate Seminar: Issues in Rhetoric and Literature (ENG 6939)

This course is to be taken following completion of all other coursework except thesis or project.

Comprehensive Exam

Students are required to pass a comprehensive exam in three areas of specialization within their main focus. (Examples: a student working on a focused track in English literature might have the following three areas: American literature, and British literature; world literature; a student in American Studies might have the following areas: American literature, American history, American politics). These areas will be determined by the Program Director.

AND at least one of the following:

Thesis Option

Students will complete a 50-80 page thesis (scholarly research for an academic audience) on a topic approved by a thesis committee of three (3) faculty members, one of whom serves as Thesis Director. During the course of their thesis work, students must be enrolled for at least six (6) credit hours. Students will defend the thesis orally before this committee and Program Director. Students must receive a unanimous committee vote to approve the thesis in order to graduate.

OR

Project Option

Students will complete an alternative project under the direction of two (2) faculty members, one of whom serves as Project Director. Projects are applied in nature and geared toward a lay or trade audience. Projects may include the following: a substantive website, curriculum, or program design; a substantive professional e-portfolio; a substantive article for a trade publication; a creative/artistic work or exhibition. The student will present, exhibit, or showcase their project before the committee and Program Director, as well as the invited audience, if appropriate to the type of project. The project type and its topic must be approved by the project committee and the Program Director. During the course of their work on the project, students must be enrolled for at least six (6) credit hours. Students must receive a unanimous committee vote to approve the project in order to graduate.

Track Two – Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Arts

Program Requirements:

Total minimum required hours: 33 credit hours

• 27 credit hours at 5000 level or above from approved courses
• 6 credit hours thesis or 6 credit hours project option

Program Description

The Interdisciplinary Studies track provides students the opportunity to build their own approved course of study from various fields. Students may combine disciplinary subjects and tailor their degree to suit their intellectual interests and career goals, enabling them to continue their studies at the Ph.D. level or embark on various career paths. As active learners, students will be creating their own unique areas of expertise, working toward their planned educational and professional goals.

Core Requirements:

• Introduction to Graduate Study (ENG 6009)**This course must be taken in the first Fall semester of study.

AND at least one of the following in subsequent semesters:

• Composition Pedagogy (ENC 6745)*, OR
• Research Methods in Mass Communications (MMC 6421)*, OR
• Role of Education in a Democracy (EDG 6931)*

• other courses may be substituted to meet the student’s individual course of study only upon advance approval by the Program Director.

  AND at least one of the following in subsequent semesters:

  • Ethics in Private and Professional Life (PHI 6605), OR
  • Graduate Seminar: Issues in Rhetoric and Literature (ENG 6939)

This course is to be taken following completion of all other coursework except thesis or project.

Comprehensive Exam

Students are required to pass a comprehensive exam in three main areas of their studies. These areas will be determined by the Program Director. AND at least one of the following:

Thesis Option

Students will complete a 50-80 page thesis (scholarly research for an academic audience) on a topic approved by a thesis committee of three (3) faculty members, one of whom serves as Thesis Director. During the course of their thesis work, students must be enrolled for at least six (6) credit hours. Students will defend the thesis orally before this committee and Program Director. Students must receive a unanimous committee vote to approve the thesis in order to graduate.

OR

Project Option

Students will complete an alternative project under the direction of two (2) faculty members, one of whom serves as Project Director. Projects are applied in nature and geared toward a lay or trade audience. Projects may include the following: a substantive website, curriculum, or program design; a substantive professional e-portfolio; a substantive article for a trade publication; a creative/artistic work or exhibition. The student will present, exhibit, or showcase their project before the committee and Program Director, as well as the invited audience, if appropriate to the type of project. The project type and its topic must be approved by the project committee and the Program Director. During the course of their work on the project, students must be enrolled for at least six (6) credit hours. Students must receive a unanimous committee vote to approve the project in order to graduate.

The College of Arts & Sciences is USF St. Petersburg’s largest college, offering a wide range of academic programs. The College has a legacy of providing programs of excellence in a student-centered atmosphere. World-class research and creative activities are carried out in one of the most beautiful metropolitan campuses in the U.S. Take some time to explore our offerings, where “the world will recognize your degree and your professors will know your name.”

College of Arts and Sciences Mission

To embody the principles and activities of a research-intensive liberal arts college, where our graduates will be well trained within their disciplines, and thus prepared for a graduate or professional schools. Our students will have the critical skills, broad outlook, and civic awareness that will make them engaged and productive citizens. In short, our students will be recognized as citizen-scholars.

Unit Goals/Strategies

1. Make significant and meaningful contributions to ongoing dialogues in our academic fields; 2. Expect our undergraduates and graduate students to engage in research – where feasible, in collaboration with faculty; 3. Cultivate a vigorous liberal arts culture by recruiting talented and diverse faculty and students, maintaining small class sizes, and mentoring those students we have; 4. Encourage free discussions, foster critical thinking, demand that our students write, and when possible, to work across disciplines; 5. Initiate and expand graduate programs and develop formal academic ties to other graduate programs within the University of South Florida system; 6. Introduce, as part of the mosaic of learning experiences at USFSP, civic engagement, service learning, and experiential learning into classes, when appropriate.

Dean Biafora's Welcome

Welcome and thank you for your interest in our graduate offerings at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP). As a dynamic research-active institution, USFSP College of Arts & Sciences offers world-class academics and personalized real-world experience in a culturally vibrant, urban, waterfront community. Our student body is diverse; reflecting the demographics of the region, the state, and the nation. Our distinguished faculty is recognized locally, nationally and around the world for their excellence in research and scholarship. Our flexible programs are designed to meet the needs of the students–from the fully online degree in Digital Journalism and Media Studies to the hands-on research focused Psychology graduate program. I encourage you to reach out to the Graduate Program Director of the program of your interest to learn more. Our story at USFSP continues to be written and we are excited to invite you to be a part of our future. Join us in the exploration that is graduate education and research at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.