Online GLS Program: UNCW

The mission of the MALS program is to prepare its students to meet the many complex challenges facing our society, the world and regional communities, most of which do not fall within the strict confines of a single discipline or professional degree program, but rather require a broader interdisciplinary perspective.

Program Overview

The Graduate Liberal Studies (GLS) program at UNCW, consisting of both a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree and a post-Master's certificate in liberal studies, provides a highly integrated exploration of the liberal arts, which not only adheres to the traditional values of broad liberal arts education, but is specifically designed for highly motivated learners who wish to deepen their understanding of the social, scientific, and humanistic dimensions of today's world. Fundamental to UNCW's GLS program is its mission to prepare its students to meet the many complex challenges facing our society, the world and regional communities, most of which do not fall within the strict confines of a single discipline or professional degree program, but rather require a broader interdisciplinary perspective.

The MALS is a 30-hour program. Our required coursework emphasizes developing the following learning competencies:

the ability to apply critical theories;
the ability to make connections between various theories and ideas;
the ability to apply creative solutions to problems;
the ability to express oneself articulately in writing;
the ability to express oneself articulately orally; and
(a) the ability to conduct complex research, synthesize it, and argue persuasively in support of a claim based on evidence; or (b) the ability to analyze the value and significance of one's own creative work, and to situate it within the context of similar creative work

Admission Requirements

Required Documents

An application for graduate admission.
Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate). A GPA of at least 3.0 at the undergraduate level is required for admission. Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be accepted provisionally, which may include an interview with the program director or representative(s) from the advisory committee.
Three recommendations from individuals who are in a position to evaluate the applicant’s professional competence as well as potential for graduate study (ideally at least one reference should be an academic instructor).
A personal statement explaining how the MALS degree can assist you in meeting your personal goals. The essay shall be from one to five pages (single-spaced) and will be submitted as part of the online application.

Course Requirements

View the Program in the Graduate Academic Catalogue »

Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program requires the satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours of approved graduate level courses with a B average.

MALS Core Requirements (6 credit hours)

GLS 502: Contemporary Issues in Liberal Studies
GLS 598: Final Project in Liberal Studies

The remaining 24 hours can be filled with rotating electives under GLS 592 OR students can choose from the following concentrations.

MALS and Conflict Management Resolution Certificate (Approval Required)

In addition to GLS 502 and GLS 598, the remaining 24 hours of the program are broken down as follows:

18 semester hours as specified in the Conflict Management and Resolution web page titled "Conflict Management and Resolution - Course List."
Six semester hours of GLS classes

MALS and Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate (Approval Required)

In addition to GLS 502 and GLS 598, the remaining 24 hours of the program are broken down as follows:

12 semester hours as specified in the Women's Studies and Resource Center web page titled Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Women's and Gender Studies.
12 semester hours of GLS classes (above and beyond any GLS classes used to meet the twelve hours required by the certificate requirements)

Students need to apply to post-baccalaureate in Women and Gender Studies to be admitted. Click here for more info about the certificate.

Crosslisted Courses for Credit

No more than six hours may be taken from cross-listed 400/500 courses.

Non-GLS Courses for Credit

With the exception of the Conflict Management and Resolution (CMR) and Women's and Gender Studies (WGS) combined certificate/MALS programs, no more than nine hours may be taken outside the MALS degree (GLS 5xx) curriculum.

DIS Courses for Credit

Only one GLS 591 Directed Independent Study course may be taken. Forms requesting this course must be submitted to the GLS office at least two working days prior to the relevant semester/session drop/add deadline.

Internship Courses for Credit

Only one GLS 597, Internship in Applied Liberal Studies, for three credits maximum. Prerequisite: Nine hours of graduate course credit for the MALS degree and permission of GLS Program director. Forms requesting this course must be submitted to the GLS office at least two working days prior to the relevant semester/session drop/add deadline.

Transfer Hours for Credit

No more than six semester hours of credit may be transferred from another accredited institution. Grades earned on that transfer work must be equivalent to "B" or better. To receive the MALS degree, a minimum of 24 hours of graduate study credited to that degree must be completed in residence at UNCW. An online UNCW course is considered "in residence." These six transfer hours will count against the nine allowed hours of non-GLS courses.

Our Faculty

Faculty
Dr. Kemille Moore Acting Director, Graduate Liberal Studies Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Policy and Enrollment Management Associate Professor, Art History Phone: 910-962-7456 Email: moorek@uncw.edu Office: Bear Hall, Room 109
Dr. Herb Berg Assistant Director and Graduate Coordinator, Graduate Liberal Studies Email: bergh@uncw.edu
Dr. Patricia Turrisi Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University GLS Courses: The Good Life; The Human Condition; The Culture of Objects and Object Fancy; Technology and the Quality of Life; Evil and Suffering; Happiness and Well Being; Philosophical Issues in Personal Identity; Horror and Philosophy; The Criticism of Everything
Dr. Christopher Laursen Instructor of History and of Philosophy and Religion Ph.D., History, University of British Columbia M.A., History, University of Guelph B.A., History, Carleton University GLS Courses: Conservation and Culture; Shamanism; Contemporary Issues in Liberal Studies; Final Project in Liberal Studies; First Contact: Encounters with the Unexplained; Animals and Culture
Dr. Beverley McGuire Professor of Philosophy and Religion Ph.D., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA M.Div., Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA B.A., Stanford University, Stanford, CA GLS Courses: The Contemplative Life; Buddhism; Japanese Religions: From Anime to Zen
Dr. Jenny Yates Distinguished Visiting Scholar M.A.R., Yale University Ph.D., Syracuse University (interdisciplinary humanities) and Diploma, Institute for Analytical Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland GLS Courses: Symbols: An Interdisciplinary Perspective; History of the Unconscious; Jungian Psychology; Memories, Dreams, Reflections; Psychology and Religion; Dreams and Active Imagination; Psychological Types
Dr. Julie-Ann Scott-Pollock Professor of Communications Studies Ph.D., University of Maine GLS Courses: Storytelling, Identity, and Becoming Who We Are; Stories of Embodiment
Dr. Thom Kunz Instructor and Supplemental Instruction Coordinator M.F.A., University of North Carolina Wilmington GLS Course: Land of Hopes and Dreams: Springsteen's America
Dr. Maia Butler Assistant Professor of African American Literature Ph.D. English, University of Louisiana, Lafayette. M.A. English, University of Louisiana, Lafayette. B.A. English, University of Alaska, Anchorage GLS Course: Floating Homelands: Conceptions of Homeplace in Contemporary Literature and Culture
Dr. Sravana Borkataky-Varma Lecturer, Hindu Traditions, Harvard Divinity School Ph.D., Religious Studies, Rice University M.A., Religious Studies, Rice University M.A., Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi B.A., English Literature, University of Delhi GLS Course: Yoga and Philosophy
John Dailey Instructor M.F.A., University of North Carolina Wilmington M.A. Liberal Studies, University of North Carolina Wilmington GLS Course: Memoir: Writing Your Story

Palaver Journal

Palaver is UNCW’s online interdisciplinary journal housed in the Graduate Liberal Studies program. At Palaver, we challenge and embrace the vintage definition of “an often prolonged parley usually between persons of different levels of culture and sophistication.” A palaver encourages a dialogue of multiple perspectives. We showcase the distinct intellectual pursuits of contributors and give rise to a new dialogue.

Palaver seeks submissions that defy the confines of a single discipline and explore multiple disciplinary and creative influences. We publish creative and research-based work that values the nonrestrictive and converges versatility, skill, and ingenuity in the service of its subject. Palaver is a venue for this innovative work, promoting the visionary talents of contributors across an array of interests. We encourage palaver within your work.

Palaver made it onto Flavorwire‘s “10 Unique and Funky Literary Magazines To Check Out in 2015.”

Palaver is sponsored by the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Graduate Liberal Studies Program.