Graduate liberal studies is designed for people who wish to create a coherent framework for their scholarly experience while deepening their understanding of the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Students are encouraged to pursue their own interests in a subject or topic through differing historical periods or across disciplinary boundaries. Prerequisites for admission include (1) a baccalaureate degree; (2) at least a B cumulative grade-point average in undergraduate studies; (3) a brief essay describing what the student hopes to achieve by getting a degree in liberal studies; and (4) an interview in which the candidate's needs, achievements, and study goals are evaluated. No entrance examinations are required.
The master of arts (M.A.) in liberal studies program requires 30 credits. Of the total, 12 credits are earned in courses offered by the liberal studies program, 12 credits are taken in electives, and 6 credits are awarded for a final project. Elective credits may represent a concentration of courses chosen from the graduate school's offerings, including courses offered by other units or campuses of Rutgers. At the discretion of the program director, students may transfer after matriculation a limited number of credits from undergraduate courses to meet the advanced-degree requirements. Study plans and final projects are designed in consultation with program faculty members. Nonmatriculated study also is available on a part-time basis, and all courses are open to graduate students in other programs.
The liberal studies courses are intended to provide interdisciplinary perspectives on themes, topics, and enduring human issues. Courses may be taken in any sequence, and topics may vary from semester to semester. Students may select electives in terms of individualized interests, such as science, technology and society, culture and the arts, including arts management, and women's and gender studies. Although the program cannot provide teacher certification, completion of the M.A. significantly increases teachers' opportunities for advancement in the profession.
Unless otherwise specified, all courses meet once a week, beginning at 5:45 or 6 p.m.
