Master of Liberal Arts
mla.jhu.edu
For self-motivated learners with inquisitive minds and an interest in thinking across disciplinary boundaries, the Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) Program is a graduate liberal arts program that offers a diverse range of interdisciplinary courses designed and taught by MLA Program faculty that build upon a foundation in the history of ideas while also incorporating contemporary topics, sources, and approaches to research, analysis, and discourse.
Established in 1962, the Johns Hopkins MLA Program has gained national recognition for the quality of its teaching and for its rigorous interdisciplinary liberal arts education. The program is designed to serve independent thinkers from a variety of academic, professional, and personal backgrounds. Our program thrives on the curiosity, passion, and diversity of its students. The MLA is a unique non-traditional graduate degree. Whereas most graduate programs ask you to become more and more specialized, the MLA expects you to both broaden and deepen your educational experience. MLA students interact with professors and one another in a stimulating learning environment, both on the ground at the Homewood campus and online in an asynchronous format compatible with all work schedules and time zones.
In consultation with their academic advisor, candidates for the MLA degree enroll in topic-based interdisciplinary courses that draw from a wide range of subjects, including history, philosophy, religion, literature, music, art history, African-American studies, environmental studies, digital humanities, critical theory, psychology, and sociology. Given the breadth and flexibility of our program, the MLA is able to meet the different goals and expectations of our students. Our students represent the full range of working professions and are at all stages of their careers.

