Preparing Students for the Challenges of Our Time

“On top of the quality of education, the SCETL MA program really offered a place to grow as an individual,” says Brock Blasdell, a journalist and graduate of the SCETL Classical Liberal Education and Civic Leadership Master of Arts program. While he possessed the technical skills to enter journalism, he realized he lacked a deeper understanding of the world about which he would be reporting. “SCETL’s MA program offered that foundation and provided the perfect environment for my technical background to mingle and evolve with a humanities mindset.”

Now in its fifth year, the Classical Liberal Education and Civic Leadership MA program within the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL) continues to shape the future of education, citizenship, and statesmanship. The program challenges students intellectually while preparing them for career advancement in a variety of fields.

For Anthony Maratea, a teacher in Peoria, Arizona, the program offered the intellectual rigor he had been seeking. “I wanted to continue my education as I progressed as a teacher and feel challenged again intellectually,” he explains. He had considered programs at institutions like St. John’s College and Boston College but found relocating for a terminal MA degree daunting. Discovering SCETL’s program close to home was a game-changer.

Beyond academic enrichment, the program enhanced Anthony’s teaching. “It enabled me to become a better teacher of both my Humane Letters and Rhetoric courses by pushing me to delve deeper into the texts I teach through discussions with professors and the papers I wrote as a student.” His experience at SCETL ultimately opened doors for further academic pursuit, as he is now set to pursue a PhD at the University of Notre Dame. “I would not be attending Notre Dame had it not been for the preparation and mentorship I received from the faculty here.”

The SCETL MA program stands out with its exceptional faculty, curriculum, and unwavering support. Courses are led by nationally renowned professors who not only challenge students academically but also provide invaluable professional connections.

Scott Garapic, a public school teacher in Cleveland, Ohio, benefited from the program’s flexibility and faculty engagement. “I was able to meet both in-person and virtually with all of my professors. They also set me up to confer with other leaders and president-appointed officials to assist in my studies.” Through these interactions, he expanded his network and received support for his research and thesis from prominent figures like Dr. Stephen A. Cambone and officials at the James K. Polk House.

Civic education can often be overlooked, both in K-12 schools and higher education, but SCETL is committed to changing that. At the core of civic education lie the fundamental principles established by the Founding Fathers. John Winchester, a recent graduate and government and community relations director at ASU, was drawn to the program for this very reason. “Wrestling with the issues and principles of the Founding period gripped me. Public policy should be about wrestling with particular circumstances from a position of first principles.” Now preparing to run for public office, John believes all aspiring public servants should complete the SCETL MA program. “I feel eminently secure in the framework from which I should work to serve. I now have a sense of the direction we should move in and how to create solutions rooted in that framework.”

Whether you are a journalist, a teacher, or planning to enter public service, the SCETL MA program provides a transformative experience. Brock Blasdell reflects on the student experience: “Students come together both inside and outside of the classroom to discuss deep issues and find solutions. Within SCETL, a genuine new class of young leaders and professionals has been created, spanning a wide range of professional interests.”

For those seeking intellectual growth, career advancement, and a strong foundation in civic education, the SCETL MA program offers an unparalleled opportunity to master success and leadership in today’s world.