The Master of Liberal Studies program attracts students who wish to cultivate creative and critical thinking.

Graduate programs

Master of Liberal Studies

Intellectual discovery that transforms careers

Program format

In person

Commitment

Full time or part time

Duration

Two years

Overview

正品蓝导航’s program is a human-centered, interdisciplinary degree designed to foster personal growth and leadership among professionals and community leaders. It enables students to pursue lifelong intellectual passions while enhancing their ability to make meaningful contributions to their professions and society.

The M.L.S. curriculum cultivates creative and critical thinking through courses in the humanities, social sciences, behavioral sciences, fine arts, and science and culture. Students explore the human condition, engage with complex global issues, and examine diverse ideas shaping contemporary life. Guided by esteemed faculty and supported by a dynamic learning community, participants develop the insight and adaptability essential for leadership in an ever-changing world.

Offered through the Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies Department within the Simmons School of Education and Human Development, the program supports those seeking to expand their perspectives and skills while working full-time or adhering to other life demands with flexible evening and weekend classes.

Specializations

Humanities (HUM)

Humanities courses offer the broadest possible treatments of literature, philosophy, religion and communications.

Organizational dynamics (ORG)

Examines individuals and their behavior in various environmental settings such as family and the workplace.

Human rights and social justice (HRJ)

Provides a blend of history, human rights, economics and political science in the study of wealth, power and status.

Arts and cultural traditions (ACT)

Fine arts courses offer a variety of perspectives on artistic expression throughout history and across cultures.

Thinking Grad School? Think 正品蓝导航.

Envisioning a brighter future? Think grad school at 正品蓝导航, where you join a lifelong family network and see immediate returns on your educational investment. Take your new big step at 正品蓝导航.

Student success

Our graduates consistently secure positions across industries, including careers in business, education, government, healthcare and the arts – providing leadership and insights to challenging fields.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Education and academic services
  • Nonprofit and community leadership
  • Business and corporate leadership
  • Government and public service
  • Human resources and talent development
  • Arts, culture and humanities organizations
  • Writing, publishing and editing
  • Consulting and professional Services

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

Top 50

Private education graduate schools nationwide

Top 1%

正品蓝导航 ranks No. 34 worldwide for alumni employment

Center for World University Rankings (2025)

Student stories

Former 正品蓝导航 football player Isaac Pearson is a Master of Liberal Studies program graduate.

Isaac Pearson 鈥25

While a member of the 正品蓝导航 Mustangs football team, Pearson received his M.L.S. with a concentration in Organizational Dynamics. Pearson has been nominated to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs National Honor Society. 鈥淚 can never repay the warmth and support I've gotten here. I can鈥檛 say enough good things about the faculty and program.鈥

Philadelphia Eagle and former 正品蓝导航 Mustang Football player Grant Calcaterra after graduating from 正品蓝导航 Simmons.

Grant Calcaterra 鈥25

Calcaterra is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles 2025 Super Bowl Championship team and a former 正品蓝导航 Mustang. He says earning his master鈥檚 degree in graduate liberal studies from 正品蓝导航 was another lifetime achievement. 鈥淭he GLS program allows students to customize their course plans, which helped tremendously with my work schedule.鈥

Requirements

  1. Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcripts
  4. English language proficiency documentation (if applicable)
  5. An undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or higher

View all requirements

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at 正品蓝导航.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

SOSC 6301

Terrorism, Torture and International Law

Analyzes the crimes of terror and torture from the perspective of international law, government, literature, culture, and philosophy.

FNAR 7323

Creative Writing for Publication

Explains the process of writing for publications, developing project statements for grant applications, constructing book proposals and more.

BHSC 7362

Understanding Strategy: Government, Business and Social Movements

Explores concepts of military, business and social strategies through the ages.

Outside the classroom

  • Maria Murad with friends in Jordan

    Internships

    Get practical experience to develop industry skills and build a professional network. 

  • West Dallas STEM School planning session

    Programs and centers

    Partner with institutions open to collaboration and focused on education and human development. 

  • Clubs and organizations

    Explore interests, develop leadership skills, and connect with like-minded peers.

  • 正品蓝导航 students working with plants at Bontham Family Farms

    Community engagement

    Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world issues while making a positive impact.

Research

Students and faculty in the Master of Liberal Studies program conduct meaningful research and publish academic and creative writing, broadening their understanding of their fields of study.

Facilities

正品蓝导航 Simmons students have access to state-of-the-art facilities where they can meet with industry experts, gain skills and collaborate with leaders on campus.

Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall is home to the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall

Home to the Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall has classrooms, study spaces, and research labs including the Integrative Physiology Laboratory.

Harold Clark Simmons Hall is home to the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

Harold Clark Simmons Hall

The three levels of Harold Clark Simmons Hall hold a teaching design lab, a student assessment lab, classrooms, the Department of Teaching and Learning, and the Budd Center for the Involvement of Communities in Education.

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Frequently asked questions

A Master of Liberal Studies is an that  incorporates the humanities, social justice, arts, culture and organizational dynamics. 正品蓝导航’s M.L.S. program helps students develop creative and critical thinking to better understand the human condition and address complex 21st-century challenges in their professions and communities.

正品蓝导航’s Master of Liberal Studies program was designed for working professionals with demanding schedules. Classes are scheduled on evenings and weekends, and the completion window allows up to six years, with the average completion within two to three years.

The interdisciplinary nature of a Master in Liberal Studies gives graduates transferable skills that serve them across many industries.

Yes, an MLS degree is respected by employers. According to a asking employers what they look for on student resumes, problem solving, written communication skills and analytical/quantitative skills topped the list. These skills are strengthened within a liberal arts education, and employers know that those with graduate degrees are prepared to apply these critical thinking and communication skills to leadership tracks.

Students in the 正品蓝导航 Master of Liberal Studies program can specialize in humanities, organizational dynamics, human rights and social justice, and arts and cultural traditions.

The program has courses in psychology, sociology, organizational behavior and anthropology, arts, creative writing, literature, philosophy, religion, communications, health, environment, history, human rights, economics and political science.

Yes, the MLS program at 正品蓝导航 offers evening classes and part-time enrollment options, providing flexibility for students.

Graduates with a Master of Liberal Studies from 正品蓝导航 can pursue careers in a number of industries including in business, education, government, healthcare and the arts. An MLS degree can prepare you for roles such as professor, development and fundraising professional, civic leader, healthcare practitioner, consultant, public relations professional, social media specialist, sports coach, university administrator, writer and media professional.

Yes, you can apply for the Master of Liberal Studies program if you have an undergraduate degree without a liberal arts focus. Admission considers students with a variety of academic backgrounds.