Your Career Goals, Our Degree Program

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary degree program that is uniquely designed to meet students’ personal and professional needs. The curriculum offers a solid foundation of core professional skills and allows students to design a curriculum from courses selected from a broad range of academic disciplines. Graduates emerge with a broad intellectual perspective and enhanced analytical and communication skills that are highly transferable to a number of professional contexts. Our diverse alumni include teachers, environmental consultants, non-profit and educational administrators, advertising executives, athletic coaches, human resource managers, attorneys and writers, among others. 

Liberal studies students may apply the courses they earn in one of our  graduate certificate  programs to fulfill degree requirements, allowing them to start showcasing their skills with a Stony Brook microcredential as they progress through their program.

On-campus, Online or On-site*

Liberal Studies students can choose to combine face-to-face with online courses, or take all of their courses online. Our fully online program was recently selected as #2 in the nation by BestColleges.com.

SPD also partners with businesses and organizations to customize this program for on-site cohorts.

Teacher Certification

The Liberal Studies degree is valid toward meeting requirements for a professional license (certification), with certain provisions. It does not, however, lead directly to an initial certification. Please read the Teacher Certification page before applying. 

About Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University consistently ranks in the top 100 public universities by U.S. News and World Report. The University is accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the degree program is fully approved by the New York State Education Department for online delivery.