Current Students
Requirements for Degree
The degree requirements are as follows:
- Thesis Option: 24 hours of coursework + 6 hours of thesis credit (LIBA 8000) + Thesis +Oral Defense
- Non-Thesis Option:
- For LSU A&M campus MALA students: 36 hours of coursework + Oral Defense and Portfolio Review (see below for more information about the portfolio review)
- For LSU Online MALA students: 36 hours of coursework
- LIBA 7000 & LIBA 7900 are required courses for all MALA students
- LIBA 7000 is offered each fall semester, Session B for LSU A&M campus and First Fall for LSU Online
- LIBA 7900 is offered each spring semester, Session B for LSU A&M campus and First Spring for LSU Online
- At least 1/2 of the courework must be at the 7000-level (any non-7000-level courses must be at the 4000-level and taught by a member of LSU's Graduate Faculty)
- No more than 1/2 of the coursework may be taken in any one department
- All LSU A&M campus MALA students
Non-Thesis Portfolio Defense
LSU A&M campus MALA students on the non-thesis track will compile a portfolio consisting of three major research projects/essays from their time in the program, plus a brief introductory essay that ties the essays together and places them in the context of the student's overall course of study. This portfolio of works serves as the material for the MALA master’s defense, which takes place in the student’s final semester. The student will work with his/her major professor to determine the contents of the portfolio and the shape and nature of the introductory essay. The portfolio must be submitted to the student's master's exam committee (a major professor + two committee members) two weeks in advance of the student's master's exam. Portfolio review only required for students admitted after 07/01/2014.
Student Committee & Major Professor
All LSU A&M campus MALA students will recruit a three-person committee for their master’s defense. That committee needs to be formed by the beginning of the student’s final semester and will consist of the major professor and two additional faculty who are members of the graduate faculty. It is this committee that will evaluate the thesis (if the thesis option applies) or conduct the final examination of the student (if the non-thesis option applies) at the end of the program. It is the student’s responsibility to reach out to faculty members to ask them to join the committee. If the thesis option applies, the committee should be comprised of individuals whose expertise is germane to the subject matter of the thesis. If the non-thesis option applies, the committee should be comprised of faculty members who are familiar with the student by virtue of their MALA coursework.
Once a student decides on an area of major concentration, they must identify an appropriate faculty member with expertise in that substantive area who is willing to serve as the major professor. Once that occurs the student should rely on that faculty member for advice concerning the appropriate courses to take, thesis mentorship, and so on. Prior to having identified a major professor, the student should rely on the program director for direction. Non-thesis students often rely on the program director as the major professor.
Please consult the program director with any questions about forming a committee or selecting a major professor.
Quick Links
The following links will help current MALA students stay informed about current course offerings, check to see if a faculty member is an LSU graduate faculty member, deadlines, and required forms for graduation.
Contact information
Bradley K. Storin
Director, MALA Program
Associate Professor
LSU Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
bstorin@lsu.edu