Program eligibility requirements
- BA or BS degree from an accredited institution
- major or significant coursework (at least 20 upper-division courses) in liberal arts disciplines: Arts, History,Philosophy, Communications, Humanities, Religious Studies, Ethnic Studies, Linguistics, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Literature, Writing
- 3.0 GPA (Exceptions to this standard would be rare and based only upon the MLS Admissions Committee’s recognition of special circumstances for the lower GPA and the candidate’s clear demonstration of additional compensatory strengths.)
Transfer credits
Up to 8 graduate credits earned at another accredited institution (or at Metropolitan State University before MLS admission) may be applied to the MLS program's supporting study requirement, provided those credits are clearly relevant to the student's MLS program, and not part of any other completed degree.
Application instructions
Preapplication Interviews
It is strongly recommended that those considering the MLS program arrange an informational interview with the MLS Director before submitting their application.
Dr. Margaret Vaughan, MLS Director
Margaret.Vaughan@metrostate.edu
Phone 651-793-1491
Questions?
For questions about applying to the Liberal Studies MA program, email graduate.studies@metrostate.edu (preferred) or call 651-793-1302.
Deadlines
- Fall Semester: July 15 or sooner
- Spring Semester: December 1 or sooner
Complete applications received by 5 p.m. on any of these dates will be reviewed by the MLS Admissions Committee, which will report its decision to each applicant in about three weeks. Applicants accepted in fall semesters typically begin their MLS programs the following spring; those accepted in spring (or August) typically begin the following fall.
The number of places for students in the program is limited, so admissions are always on a space-available basis. The MLS Admissions Committee's criteria are constant through the year, but there may be fewer places available the later the application. Thus in some semesters it may be necessary to offer qualified applicants deferred admission.
Application file
A complete application file consists of two parts (three for international students.) Begin the application process by first applying online using the online graduate application. All application materials become the property of Metropolitan State University and are not returned. All application materials must be received in the Graduate Studies Office by the application deadline, and will be made available to the MLS Graduate Admissions Committee for review.
- Read the Master of Liberal Studies Handbook (PDF) for important details
- Master of Liberal Studies Application Checklist (Word)
Part one: Apply online
- Complete the Online Graduate Programs Application, using your Minnesota State StarID.
- If you don’t have a Minnesota State StarID you will create one at the beginning of the application. If you don't have or choose not to provide your Social Security number (SSN), please follow the No SSN instruction to activate your StarID. If you encounter difficulty with the online application, please email graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.
- Non-refundable application fee, paid online
- The current fee of $20 is waived for graduates of Metropolitan State, certified veterans and active military.
- Official transcripts
- Must show a bachelor degree or equivalent earned from an accredited institution with grade-point average or narrative description describing courses completed.
- Transcripts from ALL schools attended after high school and from any graduate or professional programs are required.
- All transcripts from non-U.S. schools must be evaluated (course-by-course) by either ECE (preferred) or WES.
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.
- Paper transcripts should be sent directly from the sending institution (preferred) to:
- Metropolitan State University
Attn: Graduate Admissions
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106
- Metropolitan State University
Part two
After you have submitted your online application, log in to the Applicant Portal using your Star ID and password to upload application materials, and check on the status of your application. The Applicant Portal will indicate any missing application items.
- Two Professional Reference Letters; upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID.
- The most effective letters tend to come from liberal arts professors familiar with your work in upper-division liberal arts courses, and able to comment on your preparation for advanced liberal arts study.
- A letter of recommendation should comment on intellectual ability, capacity for critical thinking, professional skill and excellence, motivation, or any other aspect of the referrer’s knowledge of how well the candidate is suited for a graduate program that calls for teamwork in interactive seminars. Be aware that strong and effective letters of recommendation often tend to come from professors of liberal arts courses in which the applicant has had an excellent learning experience. Naturally, the MLS Admissions Committee is particularly interested in an applicant’s intellectual preparation for advanced liberal arts study, and so this should be very directly addressed in any letters of recommendation. Letters that focus on other matters may not be as helpful for the candidate.
- The professional reference letters must include the writers contact information.
- The most effective letters tend to come from liberal arts professors familiar with your work in upper-division liberal arts courses, and able to comment on your preparation for advanced liberal arts study.
- Resume or Vita; Upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID. Some applicants have valid liberal arts experience gained in non-academic settings, and the Admissions Committee will consider that.
- Admission Essay; Upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID. No more than 1000 words, addressing these questions:
- Why are you interested in graduate interdisciplinary liberal arts study?
- How have you prepared for the MLS program, academically or otherwise?
- What subjects and what liberal arts disciplines are you interested in?
- What skills and knowledge do you expect to gain?
- How do you anticipate being able to apply the MLS in the future?
- Your Writing Sample; Upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID.
- A piece of analytic academic writing in one or more liberal arts disciplines; no more than 3,000 words, well-edited in a standard format; a research paper from an upper-division liberal arts course is preferred.
The MLS Admissions Committee will make admissions decisions on the basis of the above components, for complete applications only. Note that students may apply while still completing a four-year program, but they cannot start MLS coursework until they have finished the bachelor's degree.
International students only
In addition, international applicants in the U.S. or abroad, on any type of visa, are required to provide this information for admission to the university:
- Proof of English proficiency (official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score)
- Minimum scores: TOEFL 80 IBT, 213 CBT, 550 PBT, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 105-110
- IBT=internet based; CBT=computer based; PBT=paper based
- Financial statement (F1 visa only)
- Immunization records
- Copies of passport, visa, I-94, and international home address and phone numbers
Mailing Address:
International Student Services
Metropolitan State University
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000