I chose SUNY Empire because of the ability to travel for work while achieving my educational
goals.
Liberal Studies
Customize your graduate experience with SUNY Empire’s online M.A. in Liberal Studies.
This flexible, interdisciplinary program lets you explore topics like cultural studies, social justice, media, and the arts through creative, thematic, or professional pathways. You’ll build a personalized degree that sharpens your thinking, communication, and leadership skills.
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Our team can help you prepare for the next step in your career.
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
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Course List:
The M.A. in Liberal Studies program offers four core courses, five electives, and one capstone: -
LACS 6005
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LACS 6010
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LACS 6015
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Models of Critical Inquiry (choose one): LACS 6020 Models of Critical Inquiry: Art Aesthetics & the Body OR LACS 6025 Models of Critical Inquiry: Landscapes of Learning OR LACS 6027 Models of Critical Inquiry: How We Know OR LACS 6030 Models of Critical Inquiry: Relationships to the Past - History & Culture OR LACS 6035 Models of Critical Inquiry: Science & Society.
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Elective courses
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Individualized electives are those in which students work one-to-one with a faculty member in their field. These electives are designed during the process of planning the degree program in Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Study and focus on a specific area of inquiry. Students interact regularly with a course instructor through face-to-face meetings, the phone and/or email. These electives are an opportunity to delve deeply into a specific topic, to work closely with a faculty member, and to develop habits of close reading and in-depth analysis.
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Scheduled electives are offered each semester primarily in online formats. Typically, scheduled electives are structured around a broad theme: creativity, concepts of time and space, the role of culture, gender and sexuality, multiculturalism, social change. Scheduled electives begin with shared readings and assignments. Each student then designs an individual project in a focused area relevant both to the general theme and the student’s degree program.
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Up to 9 transfer credits from previous graduate work can be included in the degree program. These credits must be directly relevant to the student’s degree program.
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Students are permitted to cross register for courses from another graduate program. This allows students to draw on local academic networks, engage with a local scholarly community, and access local facilities. These opportunities are often particularly important for the technical aspects of a student’s degree program such as video production, photographic technique or lab science.
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Capstone
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LACS 7025
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Ready to Apply?
The deadline for the Fall 2024 term is August 31. How to Apply
Develop the Skills to Think, Create, and Lead
What you'll learn
- Think critically across disciplines
- Conduct independent research and analysis
- Communicate ideas clearly and effectively
- Apply theory to real-world or creative projects
Make an Impact With a Master’s in Liberal Studies
A liberal arts master’s degree online opens doors in diverse industries and graduate-level teaching or research. Graduates often pursue careers in:
- Higher Education or Adult Learning
- Arts and Cultural Institutions
- Nonprofit or Advocacy Work
- Media, Writing, or Communications
- Museums, Libraries, or Public History
Interested? Start Here
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Empower Your Voice. Explore What Matters.
We're here to support you every step of the way, making your journey to an M.A. in Liberal Studies flexible, focused, and fulfilling. Our dedicated advisors will help you design a personalized path, stay on track, and build the skills you need to think critically, communicate effectively, and make an impact in your chosen field.
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Apply for the M.A. in Liberal Studies Program
Make sure you have all the admissions requirements and complete your application to be ready for our next term!
Meet Our Professors
Our faculty have spent decades honing their craft and are all about supporting you in any way they can. They will do more than help you earn an online accounting degree. They’ll teach you to challenge yourself and find new ways to solve problems.
All Faculty
Assistant Professor
Dr. Hurd leads instruction and curriculum design for our Master of Science in Information Technology and Master of Science in Cybersecurity programs. Before joining Empire State University, he brought his expertise to SUNY Albany, Southern New Hampshire University, Excelsior University, and Hudson Valley Community College.
He holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics, a Master of Science in Teaching Mathematics, and a Ph.D. in Information Sciences with a focus on Information Assurance and Online Learning.
Professor
Jason Russell is a Professor in the School for Graduate Studies. His research interests are on work, labor, and capital in the 20th century. He holds a Ph.D. in History from York University.
Interested in the M.A. in Liberal Studies?