Admission
Applicants to the MALS program must hold a bachelor's degree
from an accredited U.S. college or university or its foreign
equivalent. A competitive undergraduate record that indicates
strong academic ability is required, though applicants need
not have extensive experience in interdisciplinary studies.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required, but
strong scores bolster chances for admission. The application
and admission requirements in the MALS program are identical
for degree, professional graduate series, and nondegree special
students. Visiting scholars, who earn no University credit,
complete a shorter application.
Duration
The MALS program is designed to be completed in two to three years of uninterrupted part-time study, although students have up to five years to finish.
Tuition
Tuition information can be found on the tuition page.
For detailed application, admissions, tuition, and administrative information, see Frequently
Asked Questions.
MALS Application Checklist
Application
Supplemental Materials
- One sealed copy of official transcripts from ALL previous colleges and universities. Official transcripts must arrive in our office in the original sealed envelope issued by the institution. If you are currently enrolled, please submit an official transcript showing courses in-progress. Applicants with international transcripts must request an official course-by-course evaluation of transcripts from a NACES member. A course-by-course evaluation will translate courses, degrees, and grades to U.S. equivalency.
- Two letters of recommendation focusing on academic achievement
and writing ability
- Statement of purpose (see below)
- Four copies of a writing sample (see below)
- Current résumé or curriculum vitae
Statement of Purpose
Applicants must submit a 300-word statement of purpose explaining how the degree program will help them meet their academic goals. Applicants who did not major in the humanities should explain how other experiences, academic and nonacademic, have prepared them to undertake graduate course work in the humanities.
The Writing Sample
The writing sample is a brief critical paper that demonstrates the ability to evaluate and analyze a topic in the humanities (MALS applicants) or a literary text (MALit applicants). It should not exceed 10 pages and should contain the following:
- A clearly articulated argument and a clear and concise
support for that argument
- Documentation of quoted material and acknowledgement of ideas taken from the works of others
Visiting
Scholars
(Students applying as Visiting
Scholars need only complete the application items in this
section)
- Completed
application ( PDF Format )
- A nonrefundable application fee of $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international applicants
- One sealed copy of official transcripts of all previous
college or university work
- Two copies of the writing sample
- Statement of purpose
Application evaluation
Applications are evaluated by the MALS admissions committee. The following considerations
will guide the committee in reviewing applications:
- Letters of recommendation help to build a case for one's
academic qualifications. A strong letter that provides
detailed information about the applicant's academic ability
has a positive effect on the applicant's candidacy. The
more specific the letter, the better. For example, a letter
that describes a student's papers or research projects
is more effective than a letter that simply says that you
were a hard worker in class. You should brief recommenders
about the program and your objectives before requesting
a letter; we recommend you meet or correspond with your
recommenders.
- The statement of purpose demonstrates whether or not
your academic goals are appropriate to the MALS program.
This statement also helps the committee determine whether
you possess the necessary writing skills and intellectual
maturity for succeeding in this program.
- The writing sample
is used to evaluate your ability to engage in academic
study. We recommend that the sample be a paper written
for a previously completed course. It should have a strong
thesis and make use of research or close textual study
to advance that thesis. It should follow academic conventions
when citing sources and needs to be clearly organized and
written. If you do not have such a paper to submit, you
may consider taking an advanced-level undergraduate course
that requires such a paper.
For More Admissions Information
Please see the Frequently
Asked Questions for additional information related to admission.
If you have any questions, please call 312-503-1083 for assistance.
|
