Master of Arts [M.A] Liberal Arts
The MLA offers intellectual explorers like you the opportunity to design your own curriculum at the intersection of your interests in the liberal arts. With the support of Penn professors and program staff, you’ll choose nine courses that deepen and broaden your engagement with the ideas, questions and practices that matter most to you. Most of our courses take place in a small seminar format, allowing you to connect with both professors and peers in an intimate setting.
The program culminates in a large-scale capstone project tailored to your professional and intellectual goals. Our alumni have found the capstone—whether a research paper, memoir, screenplay, novel or other form of expression—to be both a defining process of intellectual self-discovery and a professional asset as they consider a career shift or prepare for a PhD program.
Tution & Application Fees
| Year | Year 1 | Year 2 |
| Tuition Fees | $50759 | $50759 |
| Compulsory Fees | $5328 | $5328 |
| Total Fees | $56087 | $56087 |
Examinations
| Exam Type | Exam Name | Score | Out of Score | Exam Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Test of English as a Foreign Language | 100 | 120 | 3 |
| IELTS | International English Language Testing System | 6.5 | 9 | 3 |
| GRE | Graduate Record Examination | 324 | 340 | 2 |
| PTE | Pearson Test of English | 68 | 90 | 3 |
Academic Eligibility:
- Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a recognized university.
- Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants, whose first language is not English.
- Students need to submit the result of the GMAT exam score, the minimum score should be 730 out of 800.
- Students must be qualified in IELTS or TOEFL to get admission to this program.
- GPA of 3.6 average is required.
Indian Student Eligibility:
Indian students are eligible to apply if they meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Completed a 4-year UG degree with first class in a relevant field from a recognized institution.
- Completed a master’s degree with first-class in a relevant field from a recognized institution.