Overview
The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree requires 24 credit hours, plus a 6 credit hour capstone paper OR an additional 6 credit hours of coursework and a representative portfolio. The curriculum is drawn from three core courses as well as additional courses designed for MALS students. Students may select from other graduate level courses with the approval of the director.
Admission Requirements
The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program accepts rolling admissions. Interested students may apply to the program at any time.
- Online Application
- Please complete the online application by clicking here.
- Application Fee
- An $85.00 non-refundable application fee is paid online upon submission of the application.
- Statement of Purpose
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The statement of purpose is the most important element of your application packet. This letter should explain why you are interested in pursuing a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree. It should describe what academic and professional qualities you posses which could help you excel in this program. The personal statement should also describe the goals you hope to achieve and any qualities you feel would make you an ideal candidate. The personal statement should be approximately 1-2 typed pages in length. The document should be double spaced and size 12 Times New Roman font. This essay should maintain 1-inch margins and should be proofed for errors prior to submission. Below is a link to help you get started: OWL Statement of Purpose Guidelines.
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- Personal Admissions Essay
- The personal admissions essay requires candidates to choose a book, play or movie and explain why the piece is interesting to them. The essay should be approximately 2-3 pages in length. It should be typed, double spaced, and size 12 Times New Roman font. This essay should maintain 1-inch margins and should be proofed for errors prior to submission.
- Letters of Recommendation
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Three letters of recommendation must be provided. These letters should be from an employer, colleague, or other professional source. *If you are currently taking classes, or if you are a recent graduate (within two years), you must submit at least one letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
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- Official Transcripts
- You must provide official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Official transcripts in languages other than English must also be submitted with a certified English translation.
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
- A minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| MLS 601 | Aspects of Creative and Reflective Thought | 3 |
| MLS 602 | Perspectives on Human Nature | 3 |
| MLS 603 | Theories of the Physical Universe | 3 |
| Choose One of the Following Options: | 21 | |
| Capstone Paper Option: | ||
Approved Graduate Credit Hours (15 credits) 1 | ||
Capstone Paper Requirement (6 credits) | ||
| Portfolio Option: | ||
Approved Graduate Credit Hours (21 credits) 1 | ||
A portfolio representative of works must be submitted to the MALS/IPS Office | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Students may select from other graduate level courses with the approval of the director.
Sample Plan of Study
Capstone Paper Option
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MLS 601 | Aspects of Creative and Reflective Thought | 3 |
| MLS 602 | Perspectives on Human Nature | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MLS 603 | Theories of the Physical Universe | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| MLS 810 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Sample Plan of Study
Portfolio Option
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MLS 601 | Aspects of Creative and Reflective Thought | 3 |
| MLS 602 | Perspectives on Human Nature | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MLS 603 | Theories of the Physical Universe | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Mission
The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program opens the door to new ways of thinking. Increasingly, one of the central problems in the business and professional world is how to handle new information, what to do with it, how to use it, how to understand its rhythms and patterns, how to make it make sense.
Goals
Our program is dedicated to providing students with an interdisciplinary education at the graduate level that prepares them through a rigorous course of inquiry and thought, to winnow information, evaluate it, array it in meaningful ways, discern its patterns and symmetries, and apply it in whatever field they chose.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will have the ability to analyze and read texts critically.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to express critical thinking skills in their written work with accuracy and insight.
- The student demonstrates new ways of thinking through the study of various disciplines.
