LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

Tulane University's School of Continuing Studies offers an interdisciplinary Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) degree. The MLA degree program at Tulane, which began in 1983, exposes students to a wide range of thought, fact, and human experience by offering courses in many academic disciplines including anthropology, communication, comparative literature, history, philosophy, political science, and sociology. The Master of Liberal Arts program welcomes students of diverse educational backgrounds and promotes the acquisition of knowledge through scholarly research and writing. In consultation with the MLA director, Dr. Ronna Burger, students develop an individual plan of study tailored to their interests.

ADMISSION

• Students must submit an application (see below) including a brief statement of 250-500 words describing how graduate education at Tulane University can assist with the achievement of their objectives.
• Students must submit official college transcripts from each college attended.
• Ordinarily, a successful applicant has at least a "B" (3.00) average in all coursework taken.
• Completed applications are reviewed by the MLA director and Admissions Committee throughout the year. The MLA application may be submitted to the School of Continuing Studies after the applicant has consulted with Dr. Burger about the program.

Conditional Admission

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The School of Continuing Studies awards the MLA degree following the successful completion of ten MLA courses. Although no thesis is required, MLA students who wish to write a thesis in lieu of the tenth course may petition the Director to do so. The petition must include a detailed prospectus. The MLA Faculty Committee approves or denies the petition. Students may not apply more than two independent study courses toward fulfilling graduation requirements for the MLA. In order to earn the Master of Liberal Arts degree, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00. Students must also submit an application for degree, available from the School of Continuing Studies Dean's office, at the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to complete all required coursework.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS REQUIREMENTS

Students admitted to the MLA program must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.00 or better to be considered in good academic standing. Students whose grade point average falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation and limited to a maximum of six credit hours in the subsequent semester. Students will be removed from academic probation when they earn an overall grade point average of at least 3.00.

Students may apply one "B-" toward degree requirements; however, students who earn a second "B-" will be dismissed from the program. Students who receive a grade of "C+" in any coursework attempted will be dismissed from the program.

TRANSFER CREDITS

Students in good standing may petition to transfer a maximum of nine credit hours (three courses) of graduate coursework from other colleges or universities to the MLA degree. However, only courses with grades of "B" or better, completed within five years of enrolling in the MLA program, may be considered for transfer credit.

GRADUATE FACULTY

The Graduate Faculty of the School of Continuing Studies consists of the Dean of the School of Continuing Studies, the Director of the MLA program, and other faculty members who have experience teaching MLA students.

TUITION

Tuition for the 2014-2015 academic year is $1,578 for a three-credit course. For the 2015-2016 academic year, tuition is $1,656 for a three-credit course.