Graduate Liberal Studies Program
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Degrees Offered

Degrees     Apply for Degree Candidacy    Transfer Policy  International Students

Degrees
The Graduate Liberal Studies Program offers the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) and the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS). Students who would like to pursue the degree or certificate must apply for degree candidacy to the MALS or CAS program. 
 

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS)
MALS students complete a program of study with a concentration of courses in one area of study, complemented by a small number of courses outside the area of concentration. The possible areas of concentration are: Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Sciences, and Social Sciences.  Completing a master's essay or project is an option in the MALS.

Distribution Requirements for the MALS program

6 courses (18 credits) within the area of concentration
6 courses (18 credits) outside the area of concentration
Courses must be taken in at least three of the five areas of concentration
Optional master's essay or project instead of the sixth course within concentration

Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS)
The Certificate of Advanced Study requires a previously earned master's degree or higher.  The CAS requires a final thesis.  All courses leading to the certificate must be taken at Wesleyan University; no transferred credit is accepted toward the certificate.  Students may pursue a CAS after completing an MALS at Wesleyan.  All courses offered in the GLSP apply to the MALS or the CAS.  CAS students should not repeat courses already taken for the MALS.

CAS students may concentrate in Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Sciences, or Social Sciences. 

Distribution requirements for the CAS

5 courses (15 credits) within the area of concentration
2 courses (6 credits) outside the area of concentration
2 courses (6 credits) electives, either inside of outside the area of concentration
1 thesis
Courses must be taken in at least three of the five areas of concentration

Apply for Degree Candidacy

  Essay Topic  In an essay of no m - Wesleyan University

The Admissions Essay

 

The GLSP is a writing-intensive program.  The admission essay is intended to help the admission committee determine if applicants have sufficient ability and preparation to undertake the work of the program.  Applicants are not judged against one another; they are considered entirely on their own merit.  The essay should be the student's own writing, not previously reviewed or edited by anyone else.

 

The admission committee will evaluate your essay according to the following criteria:

  • The essay states a position, provides support for the position, acknowledges contrary considerations, and comes to a conclusion
  • Writing exhibits a strong grasp of grammar, usage, and spelling as well as organization and structure
  • The paper is written in an academic style, i.e., not in a colloquial or conversational style
  • The topic fits within the Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Sciences or Social Sciences
  • Sources, if used, are cited


The MALS Admission Essay

 

Please write a three- to four-page essay on a topic within your proposed field of concentration (Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Sciences, or Social Sciences).  The essay must be typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins, and should demonstrate your ability to evaluate and analyze a topic, formulate complex ideas, and write at the graduate level.  It should contain the following:

  • A clearly articulated argument with clear and concise support for the argument
  • Citation of quoted material, if applicable, and acknowledgement of ideas taken from the works of others

The CAS Admission Essay

Please write a five-page critical essay that demonstrates your ability to identify, evaluate, and discuss in depth a topic in your proposed concentration (Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Sciences, or Social Sciences).  If you already have a topic in mind for your thesis, you may write about that.  The essay must be typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins, and should demonstrate your ability to formulate complex ideas and write at the graduate level.  It should contain the following:
  • A clearly articulated argument with clear and concise support for the argument
  • Documentation of quoted material and acknowledgement of ideas taken from the works of others
  • A bibliography

 

Optional additional essay:
If there is additional information an applicant would like the admission committee to know about him or her, applicants may provide a brief second essay of 1-2 pages.  This optional essay is intended for applicants who would otherwise feel that something significant was missing from their application.  For example, an applicant who has had poor grades in the past, or whose GLSP grades have averaged B or lower, should use this essay to address how the applicant plans to enhance his or her academic performance in the future.  Or if an applicant has a unique background that the applicant feels will significantly add to the variety of points of view in the classroom, the applicant may address that in this optional additional essay.

Transfer Policy
Please click here for information about transferring courses from another institution.

International Students
Please click here for information about international students and non-native English speaking students.