Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Jennifer Keene, Ph.D., Dean
Stephanie Takaragawa, Ph.D., Associate Dean

The mission of Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is to foster rigorous inquiry among our students through a curriculum grounded in the liberal arts that is scholarly, creative, interdisciplinary, and experiential. Wilkinson College plays an important and unique role in the educational journey of every Chapman student and aims to ensure that graduates are prepared to assume their responsibility as global citizens, acting knowledgeably and providing compassionate leadership in our community and world.

Wilkinson College invites you to explore the liberal arts with our vibrant intellectual community where faculty and students work together to advance their respective fields of knowledge and to make a difference in the world. Take part in collaborative student-faculty research, internships, community service, travel courses and study abroad, student clubs and organizations, and the Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation initiative that extends learning beyond the classroom.

Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences currently offers four master’s degrees: Master of Arts in English, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Master of Arts in International Studies, and Master of Arts in War, Diplomacy, and Society. In addition to the independent granting of these four master’s degrees, we also offer integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree pathways for the M.A. in English, the M.A. in International Studies, and the M.A. in War, Diplomacy, and Society degrees and a Dual Degree: Master of English and Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

The M.A. in English is usually seen as a bridge to Ph.D. studies and faculty are exceptionally able to offer a background in a wide range of English studies. The program also recognizes that for some students the M.A. can be used for advancement in high school teaching or for employment at community colleges throughout the country. The M.A. degree is aimed at enabling students to receive the historical background, the writing confidence and the critical thinking skills to pursue careers in English or other humanistic endeavors.

The M.F.A. is a terminal degree in creative writing. Graduates from this program may choose to enter higher education and teach their craft or find careers in editing or publishing their own work. Faculty in this program are dedicated to fostering creative growth and maturity in our students. In brief, the M.F.A. prepares students for creative endeavors wherever they appear.

The dual degree in English and creative writing provides the opportunity for both the literary and the creative aspects of English to be learned and assimilated. Combining the practice and study of creative writing with literary scholarship, the dual degree is specifically designed to meet your needs should your aspirations be to pursue a career in teaching English and creative writing at the university, community college or secondary school level. As a full-time student, you can complete the 54-credit dual degree program in three years; as a part-time student, you can complete the program in five years.

The M.A. in International Studies is either a one-year integrated program or a two-year, interdisciplinary course of study designed to train students seeking careers in the U.S. Foreign Service, the United Nations and its specialized agencies or international nongovernmental organizations. The program provides an integrative curriculum including political science, comparative sociology, economics with an emphasis on trade and development, social psychology, foreign languages and other related fields. The program is distinguished by overseas summer internships and an emphasis in the influence of cultural forces on international affairs.

The M.A. in War, Diplomacy, and Society is either a one-year integrated program or a two-year, interdisciplinary course of study built around the themes and methodological approaches that comprise the field of war and society studies. The program offers a transnational and interdisciplinary perspective on the lived experience and consequences of war by exploring theoretical frameworks and diverse archival materials including written, visual and oral historical evidence. Students master graduate-level writing, research and critical thinking skills to open up possible career paths in education, policy-making, museums, law, non-profits and business.