Liberal Studies

Application Deadline

The application for 2026 will open September 2025

(Admissions for 2025 is closed)

Program Format

  • Hybrid

Program Duration

  • 30 credits

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program is designed to provide an opportunity to learn about modern society, culture, and thought through an interdisciplinary and comparative approach. In addition to providing interesting, important, intriguing insights and knowledge, this program helps students develop critical, analytical reasoning and communication skills that are helpful in professional or workplace settings as well as in everyday social life. Many of our graduates use the Master’s in Liberal Studies to advance professionally and financially in their occupations. Some of our alumni have successfully been accepted to PhD programs in the areas of geography, anthropology, history, literature, and philosophy, and also include public school and private school teachers and people working in social services.

The MA in Liberal Studies at CSI CUNY (consisting of 30 credits with classes meeting once a week in the evening at 6:30) requires full time students to take a minimum of two courses each semester. LiberalArtsEDU.org has recently named the College of Staten Island Master's in Liberal Studies (MALS) Programs one of the top two of the Most Affordable in all of NYS and the NY Metropolitan area in its list of the 40+ Most Affordable Master's in Liberal Studies (MALS) Programs offered at Public Universities. LiberalArtsEDU.org 

Contact Information

Roslyn Bologh

Program Coordinator

Building 4S, Room 208
Email Roslyn Bologh

A bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 is required for admission. Students with other bachelor’s degrees and/or with cumulative averages of less than 3.0 may be considered following an interview with the program coordinator of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. International students are welcome as are students of diverse educations, interests, ages and backgrounds.

Undergraduate students with a GPA of 3.0 may register for select graduate courses that count towards their BA and towards their MA if they continue for that degree. (Contact the Director for information.)

Graduate Application:

The application for 2026 will open September 2025

(Admissions for 2025 is closed)

Transcripts:

Request official transcripts from all US institutions attended to be sent to CAS. International Transcripts (For those who studied outside of the U.S.) will need to be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or  Education Credential Evaluators (ECE).  The evaluation must be sent directly to CAS.  There's a link in the Academic History section of the application to order your official evaluation. 

Application Fee:

Submit a $75.00 non-refundable application fee.  The fee must be paid online via the CAS application system.  Applicants who are veterans of the United States Military Service, currently on Active Duty or members of the National Guard or Reserves, may obtain an application fee waiver.  Veteran applicants must submit proof of their Veteran/Military status (ie., DD-214, Current Military ID Card, or Deployment or Pre-separation orders).  Please send proof to graduateadmissions@csi.cuny.edu.  Once we receive your proof, we will issue a fee waiver.

English Proficiency Examination:  The TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exam is required of students for whom English is a second language.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum required score is 79 (Internet). For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the TOEFL website at www.ets.org. Our institutional code is 2778.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): We will only accept the academic exam scores. The minimum required score is 6.5 (overall band).  For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the IELTS website www.ielts.org.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): Minimum required score is 53. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the PTE website www.pearsonpte.com.
  • Duolingo English Test: Minimum required score is 100. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the Duolingo website.