Examine Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts with a Focus on American Culture
Offered through the world-renowned University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint supports your intellectual, professional, and personal development under the guidance of expert faculty.
The master’s in Liberal Studies program encourages you to investigate American culture using methods from the social sciences, humanities, and the arts. The program equips you with an increased knowledge base and strong critical thinking, research, and writing skills that can be applied to various careers, including community and political organizing and leadership, non-profit sector work, teaching, research, and advanced academic work.
Why Earn a Liberal Studies Master’s Degree at UM-Flint?
American Culture Focus – MA in Liberal Studies
Our MA in Liberal Studies offers a critical, multidisciplinary look at American thought and culture, exploring race, gender, politics, religion, and popular culture to deepen your understanding of the nation’s identity.
Flexible options for On-Campus or Online Liberal Studies Format
Complete your degree fully online or on campus, with full- and part-time schedules designed for working adults.
Personalized and Practical
Conduct independent research or creative projects on topics that matter to you, culminating in a thesis presentation.
Veteran-Friendly
Convenient online learning and elective choices make this program ideal for veterans and active-duty personnel.
Community Impact
Engage in civic projects, research, and service learning that apply your education to real-life settings.
Earn a Business Certificate
Double count courses toward both your Liberal Studies degree and a Graduate Certificate in Business allowing you to earn two credentials faster and at a lower overall cost.
MA in Liberal Studies Program Curriculum
The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program offers a core curriculum in American history, institutions, and culture. It also offers electives that are drawn from across campus to allow students to pursue historical, current, and emerging issues across a range of disciplines.
The curriculum encompasses 30 credits of study with courses that nurture knowledge and skills valued in the workplace as well as the classroom. Elective courses allow for a customized curriculum based on your area of interest in American culture. You emerge from the program with new disciplinary, cultural, and self-knowledge; facility in inquiry and analysis; critical and creative thinking; and a confident commitment to effective written and oral communication.
View the full MA in Liberal Studies curriculum.
Academic Advising
At UM-Flint, our dedicated advisors are the experts whom you can rely upon to guide your educational journey. If you have questions about the curriculum or need help with choosing courses that suit your professional interests, both your academic advisor and your faculty advisor are here for you!
Book an appointment today.
Careers With a Liberal Studies Degree
The versatility of the Liberal Studies degree empowers you to pursue your passions with confidence. With a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, you develop skills that are valued by employers and can be applied to a wide array of industries. Whether it’s business, education, arts, non-profits, or politics, you can increase your impact in your profession with strong competency in communication, writing, research, and critical thinking.
Graduates of our Liberal Studies program include business professionals, civic and religious leaders, community activists, artists, and scholars seeking to earn a doctorate or professional degrees.
Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies Admission Requirements (No GRE Required)
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Undergraduate course work totaling twenty-four (24) credit hours, primarily in the humanities and social sciences
State Authorization for Online Students
The MA in Liberal Studies degree can be completed online or through a mix of online and on-campus classes. In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to be in compliance with the distance education laws of each individual state. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in the online program, please visit the State Authorization page to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.
How to Apply to the MA in Liberal Studies Program?
To be considered for admission to the Liberal Studies master’s degree program, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to FlintGradOffice@umich.edu or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library.
- Application for Graduate Admission
- $55 application fee (non-refundable)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
- For any degree completed at a non-US institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read International Transcript Evaluation for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
- If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
- Statement of Purpose describing your reasons for pursuing the degree
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of your potential for advanced academic study (must include academic recommendation)
- Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
- International students on a student visa (F-1 or J-1) may begin the MA program in the fall or winter semester. To comply with the immigration regulations requirements, international students on a student visa must enroll in at least 6 credits of in-person classes during their fall and winter semesters.
This program can be completed 100% online or on campus with limited in-person courses. However, admitted students will not be able to obtain a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. Students living outside the U.S. may complete this program online in their home country. Other non-immigrant visa holders currently in the United States, please contact the Center for Global Engagement at globalflint@umich.edu.
Application Deadlines
Submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs by 5 p.m. on the day of the application deadline. The Liberal Studies program offers rolling admission with monthly application reviews. To be considered for admission, all application materials must be submitted on or before:
- Fall (early review*) – May 1
- Fall (final review) – August 1
- Winter – December 1
*You must have a complete application by the early deadline to guarantee application eligibility for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.
The final deadlines for international students are May 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the winter semester. Those students from abroad who are not seeking a student visa may follow the other application deadlines noted above.
Take the Next Step: Apply to UM-Flint’s World-Class Master’s in Liberal Studies
With online and on-campus formats, an interdisciplinary curriculum, and a relevant focus on American culture, the University of Michigan-Flint’s Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program is perfect for those who are looking for a personalized learning experience.
Ready to take the next step to pursue your passions with a Liberal Studies master’s degree? Request information or start your application today!
