utility of MALS

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by cookderosa, Sep 20, 2007.

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  1. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    While browsing the TESC website, I noticed the MA is a "MALS" with a user-defined concentration. (option 1)

    When compared to MA in a subject (option 2), how would the two compare in the eyes of an employer? (I know it would depend on the subject somewhat- but just for general discussion).

    Would option 1 be worthless if someone wanted to apply for a PhD program?

    Also, what are the ethics linvolved in leaving the words "liberal studies" off of a resume? (option 1 or 3 presented as option 2)

    1. MA Liberal Studies, concentration Underwater Basket Weaving
    2. MA, Underwater Basket Weaving
    3. MALS, Underwater Basket Weaving
     
  2. Fortunato

    Fortunato Member

    I would expect that in general most employers would look more favorably on a MA. In my opinion, MALS programs trade the depth of knowledge you would get with a MA for the chance to place your learning in a broader context. I know I'll get flamed for saying this, but I look at many (but not all!) MALS programs as more of a "leisure degree" than serious study. Of course, this is going to vary based on the school. An ALM from Harvard may very well carry more weight with an employer than a MA from Hogwaller A&M.

    Certainly not - being able to show you've completed graduate-level work in a subject can only enhance your application to a PhD program. You might not be able to transfer as many hours into a PhD program as you would with a MA, but this is to be expected, since not all of the hours that go into your MALS degree would be applicable to the PhD.

    In my opinion, it's a complete misrepresentation to represent a MALS with a concentration as an MA in a subject. You wouldn't be able to get away with it in an academic setting, where a prospective employer would want to see transcripts, but if you wanted to be dishonest, I would imagine you could probably get away with it in an industry setting.
     
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    You'd be surprised. I knew a guy who traded on his Kennedy-Western "doctorate" while on a school's faculty and it was a long time before someone said, "Hey, you're a phony!"

    -=Steve=-
     
  4. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Personally, I would avoid a Masters in liberal studies. IMO a Masters degree is an opportunity to specialize in something that is above and beyond the Bachelors level. It's an opportunity to distinguish yourself in a particular area of study. This might include:
    • MBA
    • Management
    • Criminal justice / homeland security / criminology / administration of justice / public safety
    • public administration
    • Accounting
    • History
    • Biology
    • Strategic intelligence
    • et al, ad nausum :D
    Studying for a Masters degree will allow you to become extremely knowledgeable in a focused area of study -- hopefully.
     
  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    An exception might be that one that allows you to take two 18-credit units in one 36-credit Master's program. It's perfect for adjuncts and would-be-adjuncts.

    -=Steve=-
     
  6. CoachTurner

    CoachTurner Member

    I've been looking at an MA Liberal Studies at a nearby libarts college. By that time I'll have an MA (HRD) and an MBA but to me there's something missing in my education and I think that the MA LS may well fill that gap. My intention is not job qualification though - I have that already. I want to know more cool stuff and I learn cool stuff in grad classes. If embraced as a "leisure degree" for those who want to generally learn at a higher level and not as a job ticket, the MA LS may well be a very good row to hoe.

    Liberal Studies and 'Humanities' master's degrees are very good for what they are - they're an opportunity to learn more at a higher level without being restricted to a single discipline. That's great for improving the mind, not so great as a job ticket (with some exceptions).

    What you call it depends on what it is. A Master of Arts with a major in liberal studies is still a 'Master of Arts' but a Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) is not. The idea of calling it a Master of Arts in whatever concentration would be dishonest - it's not that. I have a BS in Liberal Arts with an area of focus in performing arts. It's a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts but it's not a Bachelor of Performing Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Performing Arts. It's also not a Bachelor of Liberal Arts. It is what it is.

    The master's is the same then - it is what it is. I do not have a Master of Human Resources Development, I have an MA in Human Resources Development. There were a lot of 'business' courses in my MA (over 18 hours) but it's not an MA in Business. It is what it is. ☺
     
  7. buckwheat3

    buckwheat3 Master of the Obvious

    Yea,
    The MALS would be useful for teachers needing a masters for meeting some kind of state certification requirement, or a pay bump.

    If you go the MALS route, and want to seek a permanent head damage degree later, then go the thesis route...if they offer one in your possible MALS studies. The reason I say this, is because a professor who was my advisor at Converse College asked me (Master of Liberal Arts...with at least one hundred teachers or so in the program)
    " Do you want to go the Thesis route?"
    Not knowing any better at the time I asked why, because most people in their right minds would avoid a thesis requirement if they could. He said, the thesis is for those who would want to consider a phd at another college or university.
    Now it makes sense, because I have seen at least one doctoral program requesting to snoop over my thesis.
    Good luck,
    Gavin
     
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    These are wise words. I have a BS in Individualized Studies from COSC. That is what it says on the transcript. That is what I list on my resume.
     
  9. Tylin

    Tylin New Member

    The MALS is very appealing to me as well. Having a breadth of knowledge as opposed to one or more depths seems to be my strong suit, as I can use the knowledge to appreciate and learn many different disciplines when the need arises. Jack of all trades, master of none- that's me! There are so many interesting subjects out there that it is very hard for me to narrow my major down to just one.

    So, I ended up not deciding and going with Excelsior's BSL program with two subject focuses. It was very satisfying to study so many subjects and I would do it all over again. It's only natural for me to want to continue studying so broadly. But, like me again, I feel I need a major for my masters.

    I think this is a very career specific decision. If one only needs a "check the box" degree, or is already set in their career and does not want to change fields and doesn't require a masters for advancement, then go with whatever major is desired. For me, since I am entering a more competitive career where certain skills are valued more than others (federal law enforcement), I feel that I would be better served with a social science degree or an MBA/ MPA. Although, right now... I still can't decide which to choose because they are all interesting to me. ;)

    Just my two cents. Good luck!
     
  10. Tylin

    Tylin New Member

    That's good to know. My husband is applying to that program and we didn't know what the transcript would list. Their website states that all of their degrees are General Studies degrees, so I figured that was what they put on the transcript. I like Individualized Studies better, personally. :)
     
  11. fortiterinre

    fortiterinre New Member

    The typical shortcut I see people take is simply referring to degrees as "a master's in human resources," etc, and then printing MA or MHRM on resumes. I always considered "MALS" to be purely a convenient acronym--the degree itself is clearly an MA, but few seem to say "MA in Liberal Studies specializing in psychology/journalism/et al." On a resume I definitely would though.

    Here at U of C we have a Master of Arts in Social Sciences program with concentrations in psychology, anthropology, etc, and these students always seem to refer to themselves as "psychology/anthropology/et al students." It's odd because at the U of C an "anthropology student" is either an undergraduate or a PhD student--there is no terminal master's degree offered by the actual departments of psychology or anthropology or the other concentrations.

    My own mouthful of a degree program is a funny example--I have NEVER heard anyone refer to it as a "PhD in Social Service Administration" even though that is what it is. It's the first doctorate in social work ever offered in the USA, and my "domain" (concentration/specialization) within the doctorate is social policy, and these terms are used far more than the actual name Social Service Administration!
     

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