Liberal & Fine Arts
COLFA Mission Statement
The earliest academies advanced human knowledge through philosophy, critical thinking, and debate. Now, over two millennia later, these methods remain at the core of today’s universities and in the curriculum of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. We align ourselves with Tarleton State University's mission to provide an academically challenging education through exemplary teaching, significant research, and inspired creativity. To this end, the College mission is:
- To achieve the highest levels of academic rigor by challenging students to develop and employ higher-order thinking skills as they clearly and effectively communicate and debate their ideas with others;
- To support and enhance the student-centered mission of Tarleton State University through providing our students with a comprehensive general education curriculum of exceptional quality;
- To provide a globalized curriculum through study-abroad and study-away experiences, through interaction with a diversity of cultures, languages, and perspectives within and beyond America;
- To engage our quest for human knowledge through forward-thinking faculty research, publication, and student engagement as well as applied learning experiences beyond the classroom;
- To foster creative expression and artistic value through arts, performances, presentations, and activities;
- To encourage and prepare students to excel in their chosen professional fields and to contribute as leaders of integrity in human society;
- To integrate ourselves fully into our community, state and beyond through programming, service, cultural offerings, the arts, and global outreach.
Master's Degree Programs Offered
Communication Studies - The Master of Arts in Communication Studies prepares students to excel as high-integrity business leaders, marketing professionals, and public relations professionals.
Criminal Justice - The on-line graduate program provides a broad-based education and is designed to provide the skills and knowledge required to successfully navigate the competitive process to advance career objectives. The degree plan is designed to be thesis or non-thesis track depending on the goal of the student.
English and Languages - The M.A. thesis track is designed for students who intend to pursue a PhD to teach at the college/university level and who intend to engage in scholarship beyond the M.A. A thesis is not mandatory for doctoral work, but is strongly encouraged. The M.A. non-thesis track is designed primarily for students planning to continue their teaching careers at the secondary level.
Performing Arts - The Master of Music in Music Education degree consists of 36 credit hours. Our program is facilitated entirely online, making it flexible for students who need to work around a busy schedule. Courses are only 8 weeks long, offered consecutively, and there are 5 start dates per year. Students who take all courses as offered will be able to finish in 2 years, taking only one online course at a time.
Public Administration - The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A) degree provides professional education for students interested in public service careers in public and nonprofit management. The program equips students with the knowledge, skills, values, and behaviors essential to an effective and ethical public servant. The M.P.A curriculum components are designed to develop leadership capacity and produce professionals capable of critical thinking and ethical decision-making.