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M.L.S. Admission Requirements

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is a flexible graduate program that offers options for students with hectic schedules and diverse interests.

What Path and Pace Feels Right for You?
If you want to earn a master's degree, we suggest that you focus on completing the degree program requirements. If you want to take a course for credit but are not interested in obtaining a degree at this time, we suggest you focus on completing the non-degree requirements. Not sure yet if a master's program is right for you? Then start as a non-degree student - you can always change to a degree student later. The final option is to audit. This option is available if you’re interested in a particular class but you don’t intend to complete a degree. Degree and non-degree students pay full course tuition, audit students pay half the course tuition. If you’d like to talk through these options, give us a call. We know it can be a big decision, so let us know how we can help.

Degree Program Admission Requirements
Getting started does not need to be hard. This program does not require a GRE for admission.

Here are the steps toward enrolling in the M.L.S. program:
  1. Arrange for your official transcripts, demonstrating a minimum grade point average of 3.0, to be mailed by your undergraduate college or university directly to the coordinator of the M.L.S program, evidencing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. (If undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0, you may be admitted on a probationary basis; contact the program director for details.)
  2. Complete the degree application form.
  3. Submit a 500-word essay that answers: What motivated you to apply to the M.L.S. program? What are your future hopes and expectations and how do you see this program helping you to achieve those goals?
  4. Send your $50 non-refundable application fee to the M.L.S. program coordinator.
  5. After your application is complete, schedule a personal interview with the director of the M.L.S. program and a member of the M.L.S. advisory committee.
Graduation Requirements (32 credits)

Core Areas (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Liberal Studies
  • Intellectual History
  • Ideas and Issues in the Humanities
  • Ideas and Issues in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics
  • Ideas and Issues in the Social Sciences
Thematic Area (one three-credit course in four of the five thematic areas)
  • Classical Perspectives
  • American Perspectives
  • Diverse Perspectives
  • International Perspectives
  • Ethics and Liberal Studies

Additional Requirements

  • Capstone (3 credits)
  • Master’s Thesis Project I (1 credit)
  • Master’s Thesis Project II (1 credit)
  • Maintenance of a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
These requirements are to be completed within eight summers of the starting date of program entrance.

Non-Degree Admission Requirements
  1. Arrange for your official transcripts, demonstrating a minimum grade point average of 3.0, to be mailed by your undergraduate college or university directly to the coordinator of the M.L.S. program, evidencing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Complete the non-degree application form.
  3. Send in your non-refundable application fee of $50 to the M.L.S. program coordinator.
  4. Complete the registration form.
Audit Option Admission Requirements
  1. Complete the non-degree audit application form.
  2. Complete the registration form.