Master of Arts [M.A] [Liberal Studies] From University of North Carolina

Though conceptually the Liberal Studies degree from University of North Carolina Wilmington is not a professional, vocational degree, employers are particularly attracted by MALS graduates because they have been prepared to meet the challenges of a complex world. According to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP), there are now more than 30,000 graduates of GLS programs nationwide. 

They reflect a national trend among adults who pursue life-long learning. As adults, they are often employed, full and part-time, and seek a way to fit education into busy adult lives. Balancing work, family and education is no easy task, which may explain why these adults look for flexible programs in which to continue their education. Clearly, a MALS graduate is one who can manage his or her own complicated personal life in order to fit in the time to pursue a graduate degree. 

Corporations faced with the need to "downsize" for the next century clearly look for individuals who are flexible, creative, and capable of managing complicated schedules and demands. MALS graduates have experienced and mastered these skills. Moreover, an AGLSP study indicates that they come prepared to approach thorny problems facing our society and the world community from a broad interdisciplinary perspective. For example, philosophy and religion, science, history, literature, and social science perspectives enable people to address ethical issues such as those raised by the recently reported research on animal cloning. 

MALS graduates think through these contemporary questions and are uniquely prepared to solve problems on the job and in their communities. Clearly, then, learning to discuss today's problems from a diversity of perspectives provides the liberal studies graduate with a competitive edge in today's diverse corporate and business environments.