Master of Arts (M.A.) in Liberal Studies

Areas of Study

• Digital Humanities

  Develop cutting-edge knowledge and acquire the skills to help navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of communication in the digital age. The need for graduate study in the digital humanities is motivated by the relevance of applying human critical thinking and problem-solving skills in professions increasingly reliant on new technologies for efficiency, growth and innovation.

  Put yourself at the forefront of communication innovation as you learn to apply critical inquiry to implement digital media tools in your career creatively with a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies (MALS) in Digital Humanities from Thomas Edison State University (TESU). Our online program prepares you to confidently engage in a wide range of digital contexts for synthesizing and generating content for new media and developing digital competency.

  After completing our online graduate program, you will gain an understanding of how our increasingly networked society came into being, how it currently functions and the role you can play to shape its future.

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• Geropsychology

  Advance your career and help make a difference in the lives of older adults and their families with a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) in Geropsychology from Thomas Edison State University (TESU). Equip yourself with the specialized knowledge to pursue a meaningful career working with aging adults in various settings including private homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care centers.

  Our online degree program prepares you to work with older adults, recognize the complex psychological issues they face as they age, and understand legal and ethical issues and interdisciplinary models of care.

  People 65 years old and older are the fastest-growing segment of the population in the United States. By 2030, older adults will account for 20 percent of the nation’s population--compared with 13 percent today, according to a 2001 report by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As the population in the U.S. ages and people are living longer, there will be a greater need for skilled geropsychologist professionals who understand the aging process and have the ability to support older adults.

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• Industrial-Organizational Psychology

  Equip yourself with the latest psychology knowledge to help foster a healthy, productive and engaged organizational culture in your workplace and advance your career. The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Thomas Edison State University (TESU) prepares you with the skills and knowledge to manage and resolve complex workplace situations and conflicts and facilitate organizational change to improve working conditions.

  The need for advanced training in industrial and organizational psychology is driven by employers today understanding that employee satisfaction is the key to retaining talent, increasing productivity and improving their bottom line. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of industrial-organizational psychologists is projected to grow by approximately 6 percent from 2022 – 2032. Our online MALS degree program will teach you how to create and manage work environments that lead to satisfied, motivated, productive and fulfilled employees and how to foster positive change that increases your organization’s competitive edge.

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• Online Learning and Teaching

  Increase your skills and knowledge and prepare for a career in online teaching. The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) in Online Learning and Teaching from Thomas Edison State University (TESU) trains you to implement online and digital learning programs in a variety of environments, including K-12 schools, universities and businesses.

  Our program leverages our deep expertise as a pioneer of technology to deliver higher education for adult learners. Expand your online pedagogy and teaching knowledge and prepare for a career as an instructional coordinator, corporate trainer or other specialized support staff using technology for online learning.

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• Professional Communications

  Prepare to become a voice for your organization in today’s new media environment. Explore the techniques and critical thinking required to be a communication leader in an ever-changing workplace. The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) in Professional Communications from Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is designed to develop your communication skills for success in a wide variety of fields from education and healthcare to public policy and business. Explore courses in theories of communication, professional and business writing and effective uses of social media with an emphasis on digital and other emerging technologies.

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• Learner-Designed Area of Study

  The learner-designed area of study (LDAS) enables you to choose the subject areas you are interested in to create your customized academically robust learning activities. Develop a coherent plan of study in the liberal arts that can link directly to your final Capstone project.

  Complete your learner-designed area of study in several ways:

  • Take additional online graduate courses from Thomas Edison State University
  • Apply up to 12 credits of American Council on Education courses that have been evaluated at the graduate level
  • Develop a graduate-level Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) portfolio
  • Transfer up to 12 credits of graduate-level credit earned at other regionally accredited institutions

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