Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
Dean of the College of Liberal Arts: Diederich
Director of MALS: Cecire
Professors: Louden-Hanes, Mason, Polelle, Raker, Reed, C. Tulley
Associate Professors: Essinger, Kontar
Assistant Professors: Buday, Forget, Hampton-Farmer, Leach
Instructor: Romick
Adjunct Professors: Cecire, Eubanks
Faculty Emeriti: Erner, Roll
Mission of the Program
The mission of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is to provide lifelong learners with personal enrichment and professional enhancement through a flexible and interdisciplinary program of study in the humanities, fine arts and social sciences.
As of Sept. 1, 2009, the MALS program discontinued admitting students into the program. The following curriculum is only valid for those individuals enrolled within the MALS program prior to Sept. 1, 2009.
MALS Curriculum
Students must complete 33 semester hours to earn the MALS degree. No more than one course with a grade of “C+,” “C” or “C-” can be used to meet graduation requirements.
MALS Core Curriculum
All students in the MALS program (including students pursuing the Children’s Literature Strand) must complete three core courses for a total of nine semester hours.
MALS Electives
All students in the MALS program (including students pursuing the Children’s Literature Strand) must complete five elective courses for a total of 15 semester hours. The course, HEPR 622, may be used to satisfy three hours of the elective requirement.
MALS Final Project/Thesis
Students pursuing a MALS degree (including students pursuing the Children’s Literature Strand) must complete a final project/thesis. The MALS Thesis/Project requirement is divided into a series of three structured courses culminating with a public defense of the student’s work. Bound copies of the completed thesis or project will be housed in Shafer Library and the MALS offices. Students must submit two copies of their thesis or project to the MALS program director prior to graduation. The documents must be printed on acid-free paper and ready for binding.
Students earning a MALS degree must complete 33 semester hours including the MALS core requirements (nine hours); MALS electives (15 hours) and the thesis/project sequence of MALS 500, MALS 600 and MALS 700 (nine hours). Students wishing to participate in graduation ceremonies may only do so if all thesis/project requirements have been completed by March 31.
Students earning a graduate degree in MALS with a Children’s Literature Strand must complete 33 semester hours including the MALS core requirements (nine hours); two general elective courses and three courses from EDUC 514, 515, EDFI 546 (Writing Institute), EDSP 548 or EDCI 565 (15 hours) and the thesis/project sequence of MALS 500, MALS 600 and MALS 700 (nine hours).