The Master of Liberal Arts degree has a nine-course requirement that is designed to be completed by taking one course per quarter over a period of three academic years. Normally, students are expected to complete the program in no more than five years, including possible interruptions for work and other reasons. This requirement includes the core courses, advanced level courses, and the final seminar. Students are expected to maintain a B average to remain in the program.
All courses are to be taken for letter grades.
Students in the MLA program may graduate during any one of the four quarters during the academic year. During the Autumn, Winter, and Summer quarters, Convocation is held on the last Friday of the quarter. At this time MLA students receive their degrees from the president of the University of Chicago alongside all other degree candidates throughout the undergraduate and graduate divisions. Spring Convocation is conducted in a slightly different manner. Since it is the largest of the convocations, it is broken up into four separate sessions.