TheMaster of Liberal Arts (MLA)at the University of Chicago brings together a community of accomplished professionals who want to expand their knowledge by engaging with influential texts, eminent faculty members, and thoughtful peers. It is no surprise that many of these students are lawyers.
The liberal arts, which encompass the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, are foundational to legal practice. Whether they practice civil, criminal, or corporate law, attorneys need to be persuasive communicators and careful researchers who can see issues from multiple angles, develop ironclad arguments, and navigate difficult ethical conflicts. It is for this reason that, as preparation for law school, the American Bar Association (ABA)encourages aspiring lawyers“topursue an area of study that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop your research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for legal education.”
Through theMLA experience, practicing attorneys reignite their passion for wide-ranging education as active members of a diverse community of adult learners. They strengthen and build on the skills cultivated through years of practicing law by investigating big questions about human lives, the societies we form, and the natural world.
The MLA inspires lawyers to think rigorously about new ideas and to pursue fresh possibilities in their lives. Here’s how.
Enhanced Skills and Important Ideas
Aliberal arts curriculumbuilds knowledge and skills that are relevant to attorneys and to anyone who’s interested in better understanding the world around them. MLA students broaden their horizons by completing courses in fields such as literature, philosophy, film, history, sociology, biology, and physics. They critically analyze texts and synthesize concepts from multiple disciplines, crafting arguments and communicating complicated ideas through discussion and writing.
Rather than passively absorbing information from a professor, UChicago MLA students participate in Socratic dialogue. They come to a class session having read influential, intellectually provocative texts and prepared to express their individual points of view. For attorneys like Lee Greenfield, this is an ideal format for investigating new fields of inquiry and enhancing the skills they’ve developed through years of legal practice.
Lee is an antitrust lawyer who has represented and counseled international organizations in a variety of industries like tech, aviation, and shipping. As a graduate of UChicago Law who earned his Juris Doctor degree after studying business as an undergrad, his prior schooling didn’t provide an opportunity for an in-depth exploration the humanities. Decades later, his interest in literature and desire for personal growth motivated him to return to the University as a liberal arts master’s student and study topics ranging from fiction to bioethics.
“The MLA program, with its varied curriculum, is a great way to have academic experiences that I had little of when I was going through school the first time,” Lee explained.
Rekindling a Passion for Learning
When Angela Larimer was an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, she prioritized her interests in poetry and broadcast journalism. She completed a double bachelor’s degree in English literature and rhetoric and went on to become a teacher. However, her own courtroom experience during divorce proceedings inspired her to rethink her career path and start preparing for the LSAT. She earned a JD at DePaul College of Law and embarked on a legal career.
As Angela split her time between representing clients at her family law practice and caring for children at home, she found there was little time to keep up with the intellectual and artistic pursuits that brought her joy.
“I gave everyone exemplary service, but gave myself nothing,” she said.
By enrolling in the UChicago MLA, Angela was finally able to dive back into reading great books, grappling with ideas, and writing poetry. Courses could be challenging, but she now had a structure that unlocked her creativity. She even submitted a new poem as a final project for one of her courses.
An MLA program with a choice of concentrations offers students paths to focus on the subjects that interest them most. At UChicago, theoptional concentrationsinclude Literary Studies, Ethics and Leadership, and Tech and Society. The Literary Studies track is ideal for people like Angela who want to dive back into their love for reading and writing in a structured environment where they can discuss texts with thoughtful peers who share their enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, other lawyers — likeJoseph Monaghan, a partner at Holding Redlich Lawyers — may seek professional growth through the Ethics and Leadership concentration. Students in this concentration analyze leadership styles, create decision-making frameworks, and explore subjects like corporate responsibility and maintaining team morale.
“As a midcareer professional whose role is increasingly focused upon leadership and management, I wanted to undertake further study and the MLA with its concentration in ethics and leadership was a perfect fit,” Joseph said.
A Vibrant Community of Learners
One of the greatest advantages of an MLA program is participating in a community of learners who come from very different educational and professional backgrounds.Just as non-lawyers sometimes earn a Master of Legal Studies to become more capable of navigating the areas where their own professions overlap with the law, a liberal arts graduate degree helps attorneys tackle questions they might have never explored otherwise.By respectfully sharing their individual points of view, peers help each other better understand the course material and sharpen their arguments.
When Lee engaged with theUChicago MLA communityof accomplished individuals who work in diverse fields, he soon began looking at important issues in a new light.
“The program is making me a better-rounded person, with perspectives I had lacked, and, for me, that is the great value,” he said. “I have already learned a tremendous amount from my professors and classmates, who have a huge range of perspectives.”
Angela appreciated how the MLA program let her step away from her usual professional circles and hear from people who have succeeded in very different pursuits. Joining a learner community brought her into conversations that she found fulfilling and illuminating.
“I need to make time to talk to intelligent people about topics outside of the law,” she said.
Lawyers’ work is demanding and often requires them to become deeply familiar with highly specialized areas of the legal code. An MLA program gives them the tools to consider the bigger picture and think about what they do in new contexts.
“Education keeps our minds alive, which keeps our bodies alive,” Angela said. “It sustains you and gives you joy in life.”
About the University of Chicago Master of Liberal Arts
The University of ChicagoMaster of Liberal Artswelcomes a diverse community of accomplished professionals to participate in a transformative educational experience. Our students develop their skills in leadership, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication by engaging in live seminar discussions guided by eminent faculty members with expertise in multiple disciplines.
Customize the online MLA to fit your goals by choosing from three optional concentrations. You can complete all the requirements online or visit us on campus for UChicago’s week-long, immersive residential seminars, held twice a year.
Contact usto learn more about how our program can help you achieve your professional goals.
Category
ArticleStudent
Related Blog
Celebrating an Ambitious Learning Adventure
The Graham School recognized its latest MLA graduates at Spring 2023 Diploma Ceremony.
Read Now
What Can You Do with a Master of Liberal Arts?
The world around us is undergoing profound transformations, and organizations of all kinds are being compelled to adapt.
Read Now
In the AI Era, Is a Liberal Arts Degree Obsolete?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping our world, presenting both awe-inspiring advancements and potential concerns.
Read Now
