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
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.
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.
