Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS)
Community Leadership

Program Highlights In Brief
Alvernia is a Catholic, Franciscan college dedicated to the ideals of service in the helping professions. Our rich heritage of service is rooted in our strong faith which resonates in contemporary ways in campus life and our academic programs. Alvernia’s graduate programs are designed for the focused working professional who places equal value on intellectual achievement and professional growth. Our faculty and staff are committed to teaching, guiding, and supporting our students in all aspects of their experience at Alvernia, from course selection and scheduling, to connecting with peers and colleagues.

The MALS in Community Leadership is an interdisciplinary program founded in the liberal arts tradition and designed for leadership in sustainable community development. The MALS program prepares professionals who will excel in positions of leadership in public and private settings. For the purposes of this program, leadership for sustainability is defined in cultural, economic and environmental terms. The program helps students become agents of social change through critical discussion and analysis of community issues and the creation of graduate level service and/or research projects to mitigate community challenges. Individuals who benefit from this program come from non-profit and profit sectors including cultural and environmental agencies, human and social services, and governmental agencies.

Academic Quality
Students are admitted to the College and are fully accepted when the following criteria have been met:
     • Successful completion of undergraduate coursework
     • Completion of graduate entrance application with supporting documentation
     • Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher

Career Success
At Alvernia we measure our success by our graduates’ personal and professional satisfaction, and by the many ways they contribute to the greater good in all areas of society. No matter what your aspirations and dreams, we’ll give you the tools and support to help you thrive.

Career Opportunities
Activity Advisor
Community Organizer
Data Analyst
Diversity Consultant
Event Planning Specialist
Human Relations Manager
Market Researcher
Patient Advocate
Policy Analyst
Program Director
Volunteer Coordinator

Click here for curriculum overview.