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    University of Chicago

    Master of Liberal Arts (MLA)

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Chicago, USMLAOnline1 year
    $38,925.00
    Tuition
    over 12mo
    9
    Credits
    $75.00
    App fee

    Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at University of Chicago is a 9-credit, 1-year, online MLA program based in Chicago, US. Tuition is $38,925.

    About the program

    Interdisciplinary program covering humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, and physical sciences through core courses, with electives or concentrations in areas like Ethics and Leadership, Literary Studies, or Tech and Society. Develops skills in critical thinking, synthetic thinking, communication, and problem-solving via Socratic seminars.

    Focus: coursework
    15 (Times Higher Education 2026) | 6 (U.S. News & World Report 2026)
    Part-time option

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    Admissions

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    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

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    Deadlines

    Fall 2026
    Sep 2, 2026

    Standardized tests

    TOEFL
    optional
    Min TOEFL (before January 21 2026) – minimum subscores of Reading 24, Listening 26, Writing 24, and Speaking 25. TOEFL (after January 21 2026) – minimum subscores of Reading 5, Listening 5.5, Writing 5, and Speaking 5.
    IELTS
    optional
    Min IELTS 7.0 (minimum 7.0 in each subscore)

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US)

    $19,593.00
    Annual living cost

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    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at University of Chicago cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at University of Chicago is $38,925 across 9 required credits.
    Is Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at University of Chicago online or in-person?
    Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at University of Chicago is offered online, so students can complete coursework remotely.
    How long does Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at University of Chicago take to complete?
    Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at University of Chicago is structured around 1 year and 9 credits.
    What work-permit options follow Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at University of Chicago?
    Post-completion work rights for Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at University of Chicago: 12 months OPT (US)