Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Professional Studies Concentration (MALS)

Graduate Studies Admission Criteria and Application Process

Refer to the Admission  section of the bulletin for information about Graduate Studies admission criteria and the online application process.

MALS Program Admission Requirements

As part of the Graduate Studies application process, applicants to the MALS program also must submit a current resume that includes the names and contact information (including emails) of three references (former professors, employers, or others who know the applicant well).

Admission Deadline

Two weeks prior to the start of the semester.

MALS Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree requires 30 credit hours of graduate-level work. Students must maintain a grade average of B (3.0) or better in the program. No course with a grade lower than C (2.0) will be counted toward the degree.

In addition to the required core courses, students will either complete an individual program of study or select a concentration that best aligns with their personal/career goals.

All students must complete a capstone experience. The program director will work with the student in developing a coherent course of study, including helping the student decide on the appropriate capstone experience.

MALS Core Courses (9 hours)

The core courses are required of all students. At least two of the three core courses must be completed with a grade of B or better. Each core course focuses on a graduate-level introduction to that way of thinking. The rigor of the course will be in keeping with a graduate-level seminar, while also remaining accessible to students whose past academic work is from a different area.

• Information Literacy and Research

• LBST 501 - Information Literacy and Research Credits: 3

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• Cultural or Data Literacy

• LBST 520 - Topics: Culture Credits: 3  OR
• WLC 522 - Cultural Awareness Training Credits: 3  OR
• LBST 530 - Topics: Data Credits: 3  OR
• COMM 603 - Quantitative Research Methods in Communication Credits: 3

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• Effective Communication

• LBST 512 - Advanced Academic Writing Credits: 3  OR
• ENG 617 - Professional and Technical Writing Credits: 3

Professional Studies Concentration (21 hours)

The Professional Studies concentration emphasizes advanced skills and knowledge critical to those with careers that require skills in critical thinking and writing, interpersonal communication, and planning and research.

MALS Capstone Experience

All students must complete one capstone experience. The program director will work with the student in developing a coherent course of study, including helping the student decide on the appropriate capstone experience.

Capstone Portfolio (3 hours)

Students choosing this capstone experience will enroll in a Capstone Portfolio course once they have completed a minimum of 24 hours in the program. Students will create a portfolio that will be reviewed by the program director and a minimum of two graduate faculty. The student will engage in professional development activities that identify key qualities/skills/knowledge areas that are desirable for their chosen career field. The student will select artifacts from courses taken in the MALS program that best demonstrate their competency in these areas and which reflect the goals of the core curriculum: 1) Information literacy and research; 2) data literacy or cultural literacy; 3) effective communication. No more than two of these artifacts may come from core curriculum courses. The portfolio will include a cover letter, resume, extended reflective essay synthesizing their work in the program and its alignment with the key areas identified in their career path, and the selected artifacts. A committee composed of the program director and two graduate faculty members will review the portfolio and interview the candidate as a component of passing this course.

Capstone Project or Thesis (3 hours)

About midway through the program, students selecting this option will propose a project/thesis topic and have that topic approved by the program director, who will help them select courses that best support research on that topic. Students who have completed a minimum of 24 graduate hours may enroll in the first capstone project/thesis course, where they will complete a substantial independent project/thesis that is of graduate quality and sophistication; they will work under the direction of a graduate advisor whose expertise is appropriate for the thesis/project. A completed capstone project must contain a tangible final project (summary report, recording, museum installation, script, computer program, etc.), while a completed thesis must meet standards of scholarship commensurate with a sustained, original investigation at the graduate level. Final projects and theses will be reviewed by the faculty advisor and a minimum of two other graduate faculty members chosen by the student and the faculty advisor with the approval of the program director.