M.A. in Liberal Studies
Prague, Czech Republic
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Mar 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 24,453 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for Non-EU | for EU 21,187 USD
Key Summary
The M.A. in Liberal Studies provides a balance of theoretical, applied, and interdisciplinary exploration of the humanities and social sciences. Classes take place on the AAU campus in the neoclassical Thurn-Taxis Palace, situated in Prague’s city center, a renowned seedbed of history, culture, and political significance.
The overarching aim of the program is to develop you into a well-rounded, informed, independent thinker and articulate communicator. You will explore a mix of philosophy, social sciences, politics, history, and literature-based subjects, as you refine your capacity to think critically, become adept at analyzing contemporary issues from multiple standpoints, and conduct your own, original research.
Classes are led by accomplished international faculty and kept intentionally small, with a seminar format that encourages scholarly investigation, critical thinking, and thought-provoking discussion. You will cultivate essential skills in research, writing, and presentation in preparation for PhD studies or career opportunities across a wide range of fields, while the curriculum also allows you to explore and nurture your specific interests through numerous elective courses.
The program is broad in scope and multidisciplinary by design, an approach that runs counter to the increasingly specialized and fragmented trends in modern education, helping you become a versatile, thoughtful, and engaged citizen capable of making informed decisions in your own life and valuable contributions to society.
The M.A. in Liberal Studies is a two-year study program. Students have to accumulate 60 US credits (120 ECTS credits) by completing 20 courses.
Below, you can find a list of courses and modules for the M.A. in Liberal Studies.
Semester 1
- HUM 600 Theoretical Paradigms and Critical Theory
- PHI 600 Advanced Seminar in Philosophy
- LIT 600 Advanced Seminar in Literature and Literary Theory
- HSS 600 Advanced Seminar in Interdisciplinary
- Elective Course
Semester 2
- HIS 600 Advanced Seminar in History and Historiography
- Required Optional Course in the Area – Philosophy
- Required Optional Course in the Area – Literature
- Required Optional Course in the Area – Interdisciplinary Studies
- Elective Course
Semester 3
- HUM 695 Scholarly Writing and Research Methods
- HUM 680 Multidisciplinary Colloquium
- Required Optional Course in the Area – History
- Required Optional Course in the Area – Human Sciences
- Elective Course
Semester 4
- HUM 699 Thesis
- Required Optional Course in the Foundation Area
- Required Optional Course in the Foundation Area
- Required Optional Course in the Foundation Area
Graduation Examination
- Required-optional courses (subject to change according to interest and availability):
Required-Optional Courses in the Area – Philosophy
- PHI 585 Philosophy and Society
- PHI 660 Advanced Seminar in Aesthetics
- PHI 581 Philosophical Ethics
- PHI 522 Anglo-American Philosophy
- PHI 555 Conceptions of Evil
- PHI 605 Populism Ancient and Modern
Required-Optional Courses in the Area – Literature
- LIT601 Bodies of Modernism
- LIT 660 The Romantic Imagination: Goethe to Mary Shelley
- LIT 661 Modernisms and Postmodernisms
- HUM 510 Folklore and Mythology
- LIT 520 Shakespeare
- LIT 506 Václav Havel: Theater, Politics and Dissent
- LIT 521 Recent Trends in Anglophone Drama
Required-Optional Courses in the Area – History
- ART535 From Gothic to Modern: Art in Bohemia
- ART515 History of Architecture
- HIS 537 Central European History
- HIS 589 Advanced Seminar in Race, Progress and Civilization in Anglo American Thought
- IRS 506 Conflict Studies
- IRS 508 Diplomatic History
- HIS 530 Elizabeth I of England: Her Reign, Her Kingdom, Her World
- HIS 529 Empire: British Imperialism and Colonialism
- HSS 528 The Story of Language: Empires, Languages and Global English
Required-Optional Courses in the Area – Human Sciences
- PSY 585 Decision Making
- PSY 525 Psychology of Human Cooperation
- PSY 503 Language Learning and Bilingualism
- PSY 560 Developmental Psychology
- COM 580 Language and Power
- SOC 500 Twentieth Century Social Theory
- REL 501 Religion as a Social Force
As a graduate of the M.A. program in Liberal Studies, you will be equipped to flourish in multinational environments. This, in turn, will open up career opportunities for you on a global scale in areas such as:
- curation
- cultural diplomacy
- publishing on art history and critique
- tourism
- education in the human sciences
- mass media
Additionally, our Career Center will assist you with internships in the course of your studies and landing a job after graduation.
By the end of the two years, you will:
- Have a strong understanding of intellectual, historical and cultural phenomena across various cultures and societies, and be able to compare and critique them
- Be skilled in the analysis and interpretation of humanities subjects
- Have strong verbal and written English skills
- Have honed your problem solving skills and be able to identify, describe and discuss complex problems and solutions with international audiences
- Be ready to apply what you’ve learnt across a vast variety of fields, as your career and life unfolds
- Be comfortable conducting your own research
For Perspective Students
- First-Year Honors Scholarship
- Bilateral Recognition Scholarship
- External Distinction MA Scholarship
- Alumni Scholarship
For Current Students
- Merit-Based Scholarship
- Accommodation Scholarship
- Lennon Wall Journalism Scholarship
- Art Studio Exhibition Scholarship
- Curatorial Final Exhibition Project Scholarship
- Social Scholarship
- Entrepreneurship Competition Scholarship
- Community Engagement Scholarship
- Emergency Student Fund
- President's Scholarship
- Bring a Friend Referral Program