MA Classical Liberal Education and Civic Leadership at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Arts program in classical liberal education and civic leadership is an interdisciplinary course of study that fosters student engagement through the Socratic method of classroom dialogue. You join a community of students and faculty oriented to the holistic pursuit of knowledge. You can focus on a particular field of study, which helps you become more competitive in your area of employment.

What you will study

30 credit hours and a thesis, or 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (CEL 593) Required Core (9 credit hours) CEL 501 Literary Leaders (3) CEL 503 Classic Texts in Political Philosophy and Justice (3) CEL 513 Classic Texts in Leadership and Statesmanship (3) Restricted Elective (3 credit hours) LAT 421 Roman Literature (3) SLC 598 Topic: Greco-Roman Ideas of Leadership and Politics (3) SLC 598 Topic: The Classical Tradition: Greco-Roman Antiquity Now (3) SLC 598 Topic: Tragedy and Comedy in the Greek Polis (3) Electives or Research (12 or 15 credit hours) CEL courses (12 or 15) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) CEL 593 Applied Project (3) CEL 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information For the restricted elective, students select one course from the list of options.

Career pathways

Graduates of this program draw from the wisdom of the past to confront the challenges of the future. They have specialized knowledge to advance in a chosen field.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in liberal arts, political science, history, philosophy, theology, the natural sciences or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts three letters of recommendation from people in education or leadership positions written statement proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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