Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
Admission for Degree Students
Reed welcomes applications from adults who wish to pursue interdisciplinary graduate work in a program that is both flexible and rigorous. Those applicants are accepted who, in the view of the Committee on Graduate Studies, are most likely to become successful members of and contribute positively to the MALS community. Admission decisions are based on many factors. We recognize that qualities of character—in particular, motivation, intellectual curiosity, and openness to constructive criticism—are important considerations in the selection process, in addition to a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence.
Students may apply to enter in the fall, spring, or summer terms. Initial, provisional admission to the MALS program requires submission of a completed application form, official transcripts of all undergraduate (including evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree) and post-baccalaureate work, two letters of recommendation, and a $60 non-refundable application fee. Once the application is complete, we also require an interview with the program director and a faculty member of the Committee on Graduate Studies.
All applications must be received and completed by the following deadlines:
- Fall entrance—applications due no later than July 1
- Spring entrance—applications due no later than December 1
- Summer entrance—application due no later than April 1
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year, and applicants are notified of the admission decision accordingly.
Students accepted for admission may request a deferral of entrance for up to two terms and should attach a letter of intention to the enrollment form explaining their reasons for the deferral. If students wish to enroll in courses elsewhere during the deferral term, they must notify the MALS office of their intention and submit an official transcript of the completed work for additional review.
MALS students are admitted initially to the program on a provisional basis. Students must apply for formal candidacy after successfully completing two successive or concurrent Reed courses—at least one of which must be at the graduate level. To continue in the program, the candidacy student must submit to the Committee on Graduate Studies within one term of completing the second provisional course a self-evaluation, outline of course progression and completion, and a class paper. The program director will solicit comments from the student’s provisional course instructors, including an assessment of the applicant’s ability to write a final degree paper. If the student’s candidacy is accepted, credit for the provisional courses will be applied to the MALS degree requirements.
After candidacy acceptance, the student should consult with the faculty adviser and program director to plan a program of study consistent with the goals of the program, leading to the completion of all requirements for the MALS degree.