Graduate Humanities Program - Marshall University

Welcome to the Graduate Humanities Program Website

The Graduate Humanities Program is a multidisciplinary program bringing together students and faculty from a variety of backgrounds to collaboratively explore the interdisciplinary intersections of the arts, historical, cultural and literary studies within an open, exploratory, and experimental graduate-level educational environment. Read more about:

– our unique history and mission.
– our unusual collaborative of faculty from MU and surrounding universities.
– our M.A. in the Humanities.
– our Graduate Certificates in Appalachian Studies and Women’s Studies.
– our faculty and student publications and creative works.
– our ongoing collaborative projects.

Class Offerings: Our current and forthcoming seminar schedules can be found here.

The Program Office is located on the Marshall University Graduate College South Charleston campus:

100 Angus E. Peyton Drive
South Charleston, West Virginia, 25303-1600
Phone: 304-746-2022

Contact the Director, Dr. Luke Eric Lassiter.
Contact the Program Assistant, Ms. Trish Hatfield.

The Graduate Humanities Program is a Full Member of the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs, based at Duke University, Box 90095, Durham, NC 27708-0095.

“The program was an incredible asset to my personal and professional growth, it allowed me to understand core concepts of humanities and a solid foundation to apply them and utilize public humanities. When people asked me in what area I was getting my M.A., their next question was invariably what will I do with a Humanities degree. My answer to that was/is anything my heart and mind desires to create: this is the gift of the Graduate Humanities Program, that if you can create it, it can be a reality. The field is wide open for those with backgrounds in liberal arts, and with diverse life experiences such as mine.” (Gabriella Williamson ’12)
“One thing in particular I found valuable while in the program was the intellectual challenge it offered through instruction, but also through those involved and fellow students. The program offered the means by which I could learn to look beyond analysis and the process of breaking things down and to consider meaning and experience as relevant to understanding anything. The term ‘lifelong learning’ gets thrown around quite a bit by various disciplines — to get a job, to get a degree, etc.; however, it seems that it is only within humanities that the term is committed as part of the essence of being human.” (Renae Bonnett ’11)
“It is most difficult to put into words…the program helped me not only academically but culturally. It was truly enriching and helped me fit in by getting to know the region and the people. I also valued getting to know the teachers and my classmates.” (Antonio Jiménez-Góngora ’10)
“The Marshall Humanities Program revitalized my faith in education. Yes, I realize that sounds cliché. Overly romanticized. But it’s completely true. In the Humanities Program, people weren’t concerned with the competitiveness of academia- they were concerned with me and my goals. I have never felt more encouraged in my academic pursuits. I also met a diverse group of people. Vastly intelligent. A well-traveled bartender with a love for Dostoyevsky. A computer-savvy servicewoman. A PR rep. Teachers, students, parents, retail workers. I grew so much in my understanding of the diverse human experience through listening to others tell their life stories. All coming together for the same goal. Much like the humanities themselves. I learned about the importance of connections across the disciplines. How it’s less important for your writing to sound smart than it is for it to be written clearly. I am currently employed at a local historic house because of connections I made through the program. I also am in the last stages of getting my teaching certification. If I hadn’t gotten my MA in Humanities, I definitely would not be where I am now. I would not have regained my faith in the educational process and would not have continued. It is a learning experience that has forever changed my life.” (Ashley Clark ’10)