The School of Professional Studies (SPS) at Northwestern University's Evanston campus is launching a full-time Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in Fall 2025, a 9-month program.
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Program Overview:
MALS students will take interdisciplinary courses in the humanities and social sciences, engaging with influential scholarly arguments and methods, and develop deep expertise in a self-designed course of study.
Core courses will introduce students to how professionals apply their liberal arts training in public humanities, nonprofit organizations, and cultural institutions. Elective courses will cover disciplines such as history, literature, film, and religious studies, allowing students to hone critical thinking, debate, and communication skills. The internship will enable them to apply these skills to the broader community.
In the final capstone course, students will work closely with Northwestern faculty to complete an original written academic thesis or a public-facing project co-designed with a faculty advisor. The thesis is ideal for generating writing samples for PhD applications, making it well-suited for recent graduates considering a PhD. It is equally suitable for professionals eager to return to an academic environment.
Program Advantages:
The advantage of the MALS program lies in enhancing students' analytical, writing, and research skills, deepening their understanding of social and cultural issues, and fully preparing them for careers and PhD applications.
Students have the opportunity to connect with peers passionate about exploring history, religion, philosophy, art, literature, and film, further improving fluency and expressiveness in written and oral debates.
Through the public-facing internship and capstone project, students can apply their academic training to real-world contexts while participating in various networking events and learning studios, enriching their educational experience.
Curriculum:
Program Duration:
- 9 months
Accelerated Program
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Full-time courses can be completed in less than a year. Each cohort starts in the fall semester, and students finish before the summer term.
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Courses are diverse, including day, evening, and online classes.
Course Requirements:
- Students must complete nine courses to earn the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies:
- Four core courses: Introduction to Graduate Research and Cultural Analysis, Public Humanities Internship, Thesis/Capstone Preparation, and Thesis/Capstone.
- Five elective courses: Students can choose electives from a designated list of SPS or TGS courses covering a range of humanities disciplines such as philosophy, religion, history, art history, literature, and film.
- Students also have the opportunity to undertake an independent study, which counts toward elective credits for the graduate degree.
*Independent study is a customized course of study conducted by a student under the guidance of a faculty advisor; students often use this opportunity to begin thesis writing.
Application Timeline:
- Fall semester application deadline: July 15
Application Requirements:
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300-550 word statement of purpose: "How will the degree program help you meet your academic and professional goals?"
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Resume
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Two letters of recommendation
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Writing sample
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Official transcripts
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Language proficiency: TOEFL 100+ or IELTS 7+
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Application fee: $75 USD (nonrefundable)
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International transcripts: see below
Tuition:
Estimated for the 2025-2026 Academic Year:
- Per semester: $12,666.66
- Total program (3 semesters): $38,000
- Total program (with additional fees): $39,680
Estimated Additional Fees:
- Student services fee: $300 per semester
- Health services fee: $260 per semester
Students interested in Northwestern's new master's program can start preparing now. CheersYou（清柚教育） will continue to monitor application updates!
