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Become an innovative problem-solver and leader in your workplace and community. Milligan’s Master of Arts in Humanities (MAH) is a 30-hour graduate program that facilitates interdisciplinary study and draws on the strengths of Milligan’s celebrated Humanities Program. This degree offers a short, flexible, but rigorous exploration of the humanities that can prepare students for a variety of careers or further graduate study. The program welcomes graduates from any discipline who want to connect their study with the philosophical approach of the liberal arts or career professionals who are interested in either personal or career growth.

Prepare to:

  • Analyze other value systems in conversation with a Christian world view
  • Develop multi- and interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge
  • Evaluate our responsibilities as human beings and citizens to the rest of the created order
  • Articulate more fully what it means to be human in a constantly shifting cultural landscape

Format & Schedule

  • Combination of face-to-face courses and hybrid (online and face-to-face)
  • Combination of regular session, May term, and summer courses
  • Program can be completed in as few as 3 regular terms + one summer term (1.5 years)
  • Students may transfer in 9 hours of cross-listed graduate/undergraduate credit, eliminating Summer term
students on humanities tour

Milligan’s Humanities Program is central to who we are as Christian liberal arts institution.  We think it’s important for tomorrow’s leaders to be individuals who can think for themselves, analyze information and ideas, and explore the nature and meaning of the world.

Career Options

The skills (critical thinking, problem solving, project management, and research) and knowledge gained in an MAH are applicable across a wide variety of professions. An MAH provides foundations for or augments many different careers, such as business, communications, editing, education, fine arts, marketing, ministry, museum work, or art. MAH degrees also are well-regarded stepping stones to graduate/Ph.D. study in many fields because of their strong interdisciplinary component.


Accelerated BA+MAH Plan

Graduation caps promoting accelerated bachelor's degree + master's

Earn your Bachelor’s and MAH from Milligan in five years and get a jump start pursuing your doctorate or career. This is a 4+1 plan that gives you the opportunity to complete the MAH degree in three semesters after receiving a bachelor’s degree.

BENEFITS

  • Take MAH courses in your senior year, allowing you to complete the Milligan MAH in one additional year + summer, saving time and money
  • Secure your spot early in the MAH program
  • Get a faster start on further studies or your career
  • Continue learning from your Milligan faculty and gain the credentials and strong reputation of the Milligan Humane Learning Area

REQUIREMENTS & PROCESS

  1. MILLIGAN UNDERGRAD: Be a Milligan undergraduate student (major can be in a variety of fields)
  2. PARTICIPATION FORMBy fall of junior year*, complete and Submit (to the GPS Office) the participation form for the Accelerated plan, which requires approval signatures from both your undergraduate advisor and Dr. Hoover
  3. COURSEWORK: Take up to nine hours of MAH courses after declaration (must be admitted to MAH first)
  4. APPLY TO MAHby Nov 15 of senior year, complete the MAH admission process, be admitted, and pay deposit

*Approval to declare the MAH accelerated plan is not a guarantee of your admission to the Milligan MAH program.

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Prepare to lead and serve

Admission

Application Process

The minimum requirements for admission to the MAH program include:

  1. UNDERGRAD DEGREE: A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Major can be from a wide variety of fields.
  2. APPLICATION & PERSONAL STATEMENT: Completed application, including a personal statement to serve as a writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to communicate effectively in writing.
  3. TRANSCRIPTS: Official transcripts from every college attended whether or not the applicant graduated from that school.
  4. RECOMMENDATIONS: Two professional recommendations that support the applicant’s character and ability to do graduate work.
  5. GRE: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required if an applicant’s overall undergraduate grade point average is 3.2 or higher. If required, official GRE scores must be submitted to Milligan University.
  6. INTERVIEW: Possible interview with members of the admissions committee.
  7. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: This program was approved by SEVIS in July 2019 for international students. International students must complete the application requirements for this program AND the international application and immigration/visa process outlined here » 

ADMISSIONS

Office of Graduate & Professional Studies
PO Box 22
Milligan, TN 37682

Please feel free to contact the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies to verify the receipt of the above application requirements. If you have any questions, please contact the University at 800.262.8337 or 423.461.8482 or by e-mail.

Affordable

Tuition and fees for the 30-credit hour program are approximately $13,400 ($390/hour + approximately $1,700 in fees). Financial aid is available for graduate students. Ask us how our costs compare to other similar institutions and programs!

Learn about available aid and payment options »

Cost of Attendance elements by program »

Student Expectations

All students at Milligan are expected to uphold the expectations and responsibilities for student lifestyles at Milligan University. Milligan University adopts specific rules on the basis of the belief that God’s Word, as the final rule of faith and practice, speaks on many matters pertaining to personal conduct. Therefore, behavior that conflicts with Scripture is unacceptable. Historically, communities also have developed guidelines that help put into practice basic moral and social principles. Such standards serve as a guide toward worthwhile goals relevant to one’s academic, spiritual, social, and physical well-being.

Students should consult the Student Handbook for further guidance regarding acceptable personal lifestyle and conduct while enrolled at Milligan University. A student’s matriculation and enrollment at Milligan University is their pledge to abide by the policies and expectations outlined in the Student Handbook and Catalog.

I certify that all information given in this application is true and correct. If I am accepted as a student and choose to enroll, I pledge to abide by the Christian values as reflected in Milligan’s Lifestyle Expectations.

Curriculum

First Year (6-21 credit hours):

  • Complete HUMN 500 and HUMN 501
  • Enroll in as many electives as approved by advisor

Second Year (12-24 credit hours):

  • Enroll in remaining electives
  • Complete HUMN 600 – capstone project

The Milligan University academic catalog is the official, authoritative source for all academic requirements and policies. Any discrepancies in curricular requirements from other sources will default to the catalog.

Faculty

Heather Hoover
George Arnold Chair of Humanities; Professor of English and Composition; Director of Writing

Seeger's Steeple infant of a yellow sunset