MALA Program Requirements
The 36 credit-hour Master of Arts in Liberal Arts (MALA) program at St. John’s College offers a rigorous, four-semester curriculum centered on the great works of Western thought. Designed with flexibility in mind, the program can be completed full-time or part-time, in-person or online, allowing you to progress at your own pace. Throughout, you’ll join a close-knit community dedicated to exploring timeless ideas through deep reading and thoughtful dialogue. The program is organized into five subject-specific segments: Politics & Society, History, Philosophy & Theology, Literature, and Mathematics & Natural Science. Each segment is comprised of two three-credit courses, seminar and tutorial, and students are required to take four of the five segments. The remaining coursework is comprised of three-credit preceptorial (elective) classes.
Segments
The Master of Arts in Liberal Arts is a 36-credit hour program organized into five semester-long segments:
- Politics & Society
- History
- Philosophy & Theology
- Literature
- Mathematics & Natural Science
Each segment is comprised of two three-credit classes, Seminar and Tutorial, both with a predefined reading list. Students are required to take four of the five segments for a total of 24 credit-hours and are advised to complete one segment before enrolling in another.
Segment Requirement (24 Credits)
Select four from the five options below.
- Politics & Society Seminar and
- Politics & Society Tutorial
or
- History Seminar and
- History Tutorial
or
- Philosophy & Theology Seminar and
- Philosophy & Theology Tutorial
or
- Literature Seminar and
- Literature Tutorial
or
- Mathematics & Natural Science Seminar and
- Mathematics & Natural Science Tutorial
Preceptorial Requirement (12 Credits)
The remaining credits are comprised of three-credit Preceptorials, or elective classes. Preceptorials vary from term to term and cover a wide range of subjects. Students who want to focus on a single subject are encouraged to align their preceptorial choices with a segment.
Class Types
All classes are 20 or fewer students in order to nurture a collaborative learning environment, creating space for every voice around the table to listen and be heard. Each semester contains three classes within your selected segment, so you will take a seminar, tutorial, and preceptorial class.
Segment Availability
All segments are not available each semester. However, students may transfer between campuses (in-person and online) to enroll in segments that meet their desired learning. Below you will find the planned segment availability for each campus.
| Segment | Annapolis Campus | Santa Fe Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Politics and Society Segment |
|
|
| Philosophy and Theology Segment |
|
|
| History Segment |
|
|
| Mathematics and Natural Science Segment |
|
|
| Literature Segment |
|
|
*Segment availability ultimately depends on enrollment and cannot be guaranteed.
Optional Master’s Essay
Students who have completed at least two segments in the Liberal Arts Program and have demonstrated considerable facility in writing and class conversation may petition the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs for permission to write an optional Master’s essay. The essay may replace one Liberal Arts preceptorial or may be written in addition to the full program. The content and goal of the Master’s essay should be the thoughtful examination of a text or several texts. The essay is not intended to be a piece of specialized research, but rather a sustained performance in the liberal arts. Essays are evaluated by a specially selected committee of three college tutors, including a committee chairperson appointed by the Associate Dean. A public oral examination is scheduled at the time the committee approves the essay. Essays are graded satisfactory or unsatisfactory; oral examinations are graded pass with honors, pass, or fail.
Optional Focus
Students who want to concentrate their studies in a particular segment must formally declare their intention to pursue a focus with the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. While students must complete the seminar and tutorial in four of the five segments, students pursue the optional focus by aligning preceptorials with a segment of choice. Individuals often choose this route if they plan to continue their education and for various career outcomes.