Denver Master of Liberal Arts and Humanities Graduate Programs
A Master of Liberal Arts and Humanities Graduate Program offers learners an opportunity to cover topics in a diverse and interdisciplinary field of study.
Most Masters degree programs in liberal arts and humanities cover subject matter related to social sciences, literature and writing, languages, world cultures, social issues and philosophy. If you enjoy learning about human behavior, humanity and human relations, and are interested in cultivating a variety of potentially transferable skills into a host of possible career paths, Liberal Arts Masters programs provide a fascinating forum for curiosity as well as discovery.
Master of Liberal Arts and Humanities Programs: Essentials
The goal of Master of Liberal Arts and Humanities programs is to develop well-rounded learners with general knowledge of a wide range of subjects and with mastery of a range of transferable skills. Program curriculums vary between institutions but most master’s degrees consist of coursework and may include a capstone experience involving a graduate project, internship, or portfolio option.
Types of Masters degrees in Liberal Arts and Humanities
Another factor to distinguish for yourself is whether you are interested in a Master of Liberal Arts degree or a Masters Program within Liberal Arts and Humanities. For instance, if you have an undergraduate degree, you might be interested in all the master’s degrees for liberal arts majors – a different search.
FUN FACT: For public relations and fundraising management positions, some employers prefer a master’s degree, particularly in public relations, journalism, fundraising, or nonprofit management[i].
Master of Liberal Arts Degree
A Liberal Arts Masters (MLA) degree is a unique type of graduate degree program. Instead of requiring you to become extremely specialized in one area, as most grad programs do, you are encouraged to broaden and deepen your education in a cross-disciplinary approach.
Master of Liberal Arts and Humanities Programs
This being said, there are a wide variety of masters degrees for liberal arts majors within arts and humanities ranging from literature and writing to languages, business, public relations, economics, and other fields. For instance, you might earn a Master of Science in Publishing, a Master of Arts in Behavioral Economics or a Master in Strategic Public Relations, and these programs all fall under the umbrella of liberal arts, or liberal studies.
What is the difference between liberal arts and liberal studies?
The terms liberal arts and liberal studies refer to the same body of knowledge. Masters degree programs in this field allow students to derive an understanding of literature, social science, mathematics, music, history, political science, language and philosophy as well as other academic areas.
What is the Difference between Liberal Arts and Humanities?
The term ‘Liberal arts’ refers to an academic education that provides you with a comprehensive understanding of humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural and formal sciences. The term ‘Humanities’ (commonly a part of a liberal education) refers to the study of the human condition, and might include such topics as history, religion, philosophy, literature, ancient and modern languages, and the arts.
To get an idea of how many disciplines are involved in a Masters of Liberal Arts program, think of the MLA as a tree with the following limbs:
- Humanities (e.g. art, literature, linguistics, philosophy, religion, ethics, modern foreign languages, music, theater, speech, classical languages)
- Social sciences (e.g. history, psychology, law, sociology, politics, gender studies, anthropology, economics, geography, business informatics)
- Natural sciences (e.g. astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, botany, archaeology, zoology, geology, Earth sciences)
- Formal sciences (e.g. mathematics, logic, statistics)
DID YOU KNOW?
Most economists need a master’s degree or Ph.D.[ii]
How to Find a Masters Degree Program in Liberal Arts and Humanities
GradSchools.com makes it easy for you to land on the Master of Liberal Arts and Humanities degree program that aligns with your interests. Since it can be daunting to navigate through all the options, following a simple methodology might help you pinpoint the appropriate path.
Types of MA Degrees
Sounds simple but there is still a complexity to the many different categories and types of Master of Arts (MA) Degrees. There are a variety of categories and sub categories so you can go very general or very specific in terms of the Liberal Arts graduate education you are interested in. For instance, you might want a general Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, a Master of Arts in Humanities, an MSSc in Public Affairs & Social Sciences, Liberal Arts & Humanities or a Cross Disciplinary Master of Arts Degree. Conversely, you might choose to pursue a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications (M.S.I.M.C) or an MBA in Business Ethics. Once you have explored the topics and chosen your subject, you are ready for the next step.
Here’s an Academic Road Map For Masters in Liberal Arts & Humanities Programs:
Area, Ethnic & cultural Studies Graduate Programs
- Masters in American Studies
- Masters in Asian Studies
- Masters in Cultural & Demographic Studies
- Masters in European Studies
- Masters in Jewish Studies
Communications & Public Relations
- Masters in communication Studies
- Masters in communications & Journalism
- Masters in Communications Management
- Masters in Interpersonal Communication
- Masters in Public Relations
- Masters in Publishing
Economics
English
History
Humanities
Languages
- Masters Program in Language
- Masters in Asian Language & Literature
- Masters in Foreign Languages
- Masters in German Language & Literature
- Masters in Linguistics
- Masters in Romance Languages
- Masters in Russian & Slavic Language & Literature
- Masters in Translation/Interpretation
Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Masters in Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Masters in Comparative Literature
- Masters in Creative Writing
- Masters in Literature
- Masters in Professional Writing
- Masters in Technical Communication
Philosophy & Ethics
Women’s Studies
- Women’s Studies MSW/MA Dual degree
- Masters in Women’s Studies
Continued Education in Liberal Arts and Humanities
Some masters programs may also be used as a springboard to PhD Liberal Arts programs. It is always a good idea to do a bit of homework on your intended career to help you choose the appropriate academic track. As well, each program is likely to have its own prerequisites and curriculum, so use to your advantage the ‘request info’ and ‘visit school site’ tabs.
What Type of Program Format do you require?
Master of Liberal Arts and Humanities graduate programs are available in different learning formats, each with their own particular appeal. These are campus, hybrid and online. You may not find all programs have all these learning delivery methods, but, having found your subject, let’s say Masters in Women’s Studies, you are then able to search specifically for one type of format or the other.
Essentially, if you are choosing to earn your master of liberal arts online, you may find programs that are fully online or partially online. These partial programs are called hybrid, a blend of distance-learning and on campus requirements. If you are exploring exclusively liberal arts graduate schools, you can refine your search by location. Choose your city, state or country and results are generated for that area.
Potential Benefits of Earning a Liberal Arts Masters Degree
Wondering what advantages there might be to pursuing a graduate degree in Liberal Arts and Humanities?
Build Soft Skills: The term ‘Soft skills’ does not mean that a Master of Liberal Arts degree program is easy. On the contrary, it might be quite rigorous, with lots of reading, writing and analysis. While the term ‘hard skills’ refers to skills that are measurable such as computer programming, the definition of soft skills includes[iii]:
- Communication abilities
- Social graces
- Language skills
- Personal habits (dependability, conscientiousness)
Build Transferable Skills: Aside from theoretical and technical knowledge, many different careers may benefit from the skills that are cultivated in Masters of Liberal Arts and Humanities programs. Some of these might include[iv]:
- Learn to analyze, evaluate
- Think critically and creatively
- Communicate effectively in oral and written modes
- Strategize, problem solve
- Ability to learn and synthesize new ideas
- Experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis
- Develop reading skills
- Math skills
- Effective research skills
- Organization and time-management skills
- Adaptability
- Ethical decision-making skills
- Ability to pose meaningful questions
- Teamwork or leadership
- Foreign language skills and cross-cultural knowledge
Take the Next Step
Whether you are interested in pursuing a potential career in arts, business, academia, or economic development, there are a variety of Masters degree programs in Liberal Arts & Humanities to choose from. If you are innately inquisitive, love learning diverse subjects you may find that you gain not only an education in your chosen field, but also the ability to think critically and contextually. Many programs allow you to tailor your graduate degree to your individual scholarly curiosity or passion, so why wait – explore your options today!
[i] bls.gov/ooh/management/public-relations-managers.htm |[ii] bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/economists.htm |[iii]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_skills |[iv] bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Arts_in_Liberal_Studies
Sponsored Listings
- University of Colorado - Boulder OnlineOnline
University of Colorado - Boulder
Computational Linguistics, Analytics and Search Informatics
Requires 32 hours of approved graduate study, including a 2-hour Capstone course focused on a publishable research project, potentially during a summer internship.
- University of Colorado - Boulder Boulder, CO
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, COBoulder, CO
Creative Writing
The MFA in Creative Writing challenges students to write in a variety of genres and to study literature from the point of view of a working writer.
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, COBoulder, CO
Media and Public Engagement
The MA in Media and Public Engagement (MAPE), a two year interdisciplinary program that spans traditional boundaries between theory and practice.
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, CO
- University of Colorado Denver Denver, CODenver, CO
University of Colorado Denver
Technical Communication
The M.S. in Technical Communication provides cutting edge education and training in the science of document design, including electronic documents, interactive and digital multimedia, online instructional programs, and traditional hard copy documentatio...
- Denver, CO
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Social Science
The Master of Humanities and Master of Social Science Program (MHMSS) offers two unique interdisciplinary master degrees for students whose interests transcend the restrictions of traditional university disciplines.
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Humanities
The Master of Humanities and Master of Social Science Program (MHMSS) offer two unique interdisciplinary master degrees for students whose interests transcend the restrictions of traditional university disciplines.
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Communication
Our vibrant community of scholars and teachers is committed to providing a real world, hands-on, and theoretically robust master's degree that will enrich your communication knowledge and skills for the twenty-first century.
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CO
- Denver, CO
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Health Economics
The MS and PhD in Health Economics programs are designed to train scientists to engage in modern economic research related to questions pertinent to health policy, health behaviors, and health care services...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies
The Master of Humanities, Master of Social Science, and Women's Studies Certificate are individually tailored to meet students' needs and interests. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students organize their own plans of studies. Develop your own p...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Naropa University OnlineOnline
Naropa University
Creative Writing
The MFA in Creative Writing degree (a low-residency program that includes online as well as in-residence instruction) is being re-envisioned and will not be accepting students until fall 2015. Members of the program faculty are reviewing the curricul...
- Boulder, CO
- Boulder, COBoulder, CO
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Poetics
Founded at Naropa University in 1974 by Anne Waldman and the late Allen Ginsberg, the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics comprises the Summer Writing program and the Department of Writing and Poetics, which administers the Master in Fine Arts in W...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Boulder, COBoulder, CO
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Poetics
Founded at Naropa University in 1974 by Anne Waldman and the late Allen Ginsberg, the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics comprises the Summer Writing program and the Department of Writing and Poetics, which administers the Master in Fine Arts in W...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Boulder, COBoulder, CO
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Low-Residency)
The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics' Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing is a two-year correspondence program running in Fall-Spring-Summer semesters over each of the two years of the program...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Boulder, COBoulder, CO
Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
The Master of Arts in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism surveys Indian and Tibetan Buddhism with an emphasis on textual and meditative line...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Boulder, COBoulder, CO
Writing & Poetics
Founded at Naropa University in 1974 by Anne Waldman and the late Allen Ginsberg, the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetic...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Boulder, COBoulder, CO
Indo-Tibetan Buddhism with Language
The Master of Arts in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism with Language surveys Indian and Tibetan Buddhism with an emphasis on textual and m...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- University of Denver Denver, CODenver, CO
University of Denver
Media, Film & Journalism Studies
Our International & Intercultural Comm. and Media & Public Comm. programs will prepare you to succeed in a variety of media and communication careers and help you understand how to be an ethical and socially aware communicator.
- Denver, CO
- Denver, CODenver, CO
English - Master
The University of Denver’s department of English is small and intimate, with 22 faculty members, who all publish widely and seek to translate their learning into shared experiences by working closely with students in and out of the classroom.
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Liberal Studies
The liberal arts education provides for meaning in our lives, celebrates the spirit of human creativity, and canvasses the breadth of great ideas, div...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Communication Studies - Master
Our program takes full advantage of being situated in the state's capital and business center, offering students excellent opportunities to study culture and communication, interpersonal and family communication, and public discourse and communication eth...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Economics
We provide a broad perspective on the historical and present-day relevance of economics. Students employ historical analysis and quantitative techniques to engage critically with theory and policy to gain a deeper understanding of all kinds of debates.
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Judaic Studies - Master
The Center for Judaic Studies offers academic programs in Judaic Studies at the University of Denver leading to an undergraduat...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CODenver, CO
The Publishing Institute
The Publishing Institute is the ideal launching pad for a career in book publishing. Professionals from all areas of publishing teach this month-long, full-time, graduate-level summer program. It will introduce you to all aspects of book publishing.
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Advertising Management and Public Relations
The Master of Science in Advertising Management is joint degree program between the Department of Mass Communications and Journ...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Denver, CO
- Jones International University Centennial, COCentennial, CO
Jones International University
Business Communication
Business communication and leadership skills -- highly sought after by employers today -- are a strategic combination of busine...
- Centennial, CO
- Centennial, COCentennial, CO
Master of Arts in Business Communication in Communication Technology
The M.A.B.C. in Communication Technology focuses on the important relationship between effective communication and technology w...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Centennial, COCentennial, CO
Master of Arts in Business Communication in Leadership and Influence
In the M.A.B.C. in Leadership and Influence degree specialization, you will learn how to confront interpersonal and management...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Centennial, COCentennial, CO
Master of Arts in Business Communication in Communication Studies
The M.A.B.C. in Communication Studies will enable you to communicate more effectively in business or other organizational setti...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Centennial, COCentennial, CO
MA in Business Communication - Leadership and Influence
Become the leader you were meant to be. Today’s headlines are filled with news of corporate scandals, fiscal mismanage...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- Regis University Denver, CODenver, CO
Regis University
MBA-Marketing
This program integrates classic and leading-edge marketing principles and theories with real world application. Students emerge...
- Denver, CO
- Denver, CODenver, CO
Master of Nonprofit Management
Regis University offers a Master of Nonprofit Management degree program. This accelerated program offers an intense, concept...
Program: Campus
Degree: Master
- American Sentinel University Aurora, COAurora, CO
American Sentinel University
Executive MBA - Digital Media
The Executive MBA in Digital Media, the new media-focused strategy capstone project, will help future leaders develop strategy,...