Oakland University will offer a Master of Arts degree in liberal studies (MALS) beginning in the fall 2003 semester, making it one of only five Michigan universities to offer its students such a program.

The MALS is a 37-credit hour program comprised of three three-credit core courses; six four-credit elective courses drawn from the areas of humanities, literature and language, social sciences and sciences; and one four-credit Master of Arts project combining at least two disciplines.

“The Master of Arts in liberal studies will be a rigorous but rewarding program,” said Natalie Cole, associate professor of English and director of the MALS program. “It is designed for students who want to do interdisciplinary work synthesizing two or more academic fields.” Professor Cole will offer a core colloquium in winter 2004, titled “Death and Dying in Literature, Film and Art.”

The MALS program is administered through the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. Students interested in applying to the MALS program can contact Professor Cole at (248) 370-2539 or by e-mail at cole@oakland.edu.