Mission of the Master of Arts in Liberal and Professional Studies

The Master of Arts degree in Liberal and Professional Studies (MALPS) is designed to further professional development on the bases of language skills, critical thinking, and social and behavioral studies. The program is directed toward both traditional and non-traditional students who are either already in the work force or are making the transition from an undergraduate degree in the arts and sciences to a professional setting. Unlike traditional masters programs, which focus on developing skills in one specific discipline, graduate liberal studies emphasizes the interrelated nature of knowledge and brings the expertise of different disciplines to bear on the issues examined.

This degree program combines the interdisciplinary nature of liberal studies with a focus on professional development. In its most basic sense, "professional studies" applies to studies that advance professional qualifications on the basis of a liberal arts education. Students who have a firm foundation in the arts and sciences are well positioned to advance professionally, but they often need specific skills that are not covered by traditional majors. This M. A. degree is designed to meet that specific need. The M. A. in Liberal and Professional Studies includes a core of courses in professional ethics, critical thinking, and written and oral communication skills and options in Communication Studies, International Studies, Leadership Studies, and Gender and Women's Studies that specifically address needs in the Savannah-Southeast Georgia region.