The culmination of a journey
As the capstone of the Master of Liberal Arts program, the thesis or special project offers students the opportunity to deeply explore a topic that resonates with their intellectual interests, personal passions, or professional ambitions.
The MLA thesis or special project is a culminating experience that invites students to deploy the skills honed in their coursework while engaging deeply with a subject of personal or professional significance. Whether developing a traditional academic thesis or a creative or applied work, students are encouraged to explore ideas that are meaningful and impactful to them.
This capstone experience is intended to be flexible. Past projects have ranged from authoring an academic article to creating visual art to writing a book of poetry. This variety reflects the interdisciplinary spirit of the MLA program and supports a wide range of intellectual inquiry and creative expression.
Once a thesis topic or special project proposal is approved, students are matched with a faculty advisor who will remain heavily engaged throughout the process. The advisor serves as a vital resource by pointing you toward scholarship and other sources of information that can guide your work. You will remain in contact as your project evolves, receiving meaningful feedback on drafts.
In addition to one-on-one faculty advising, students benefit from dedicated writing support tailored to the unique demands of thesis and capstone work. The MLA’s writing advisor helps students navigate the structure, clarity, and scholarly rigor required for their final submission.
Most projects are completed over two academic quarters. Explore examples of past thesis and special projects below.
Mary Jo Griesenauer has built a successful career as a financial analyst, specializing in IT financial planning and analysis. While she has dedicated her professional life to quantitative problem-solving and leadership, she has also maintained her interest in exploring questions about life and spirituality.
After a 25-year finance career, Lucas Kiely continued his intellectual journey by enrolling in UChicago’s Master of Liberal Arts program.
How Robert Herguth’s MLA studies at the Graham School empowered the veteran journalist to go places he hadn’t gone before.