MASTER OF LIBERAL STUDIES

MASTER OF LIBERAL STUDIES

WASHBURN UNIVERSITY MASTER OF LIBERAL STUDIES Advisory Committee Dr. Bruce Mactavish, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Director Dr. Ross Friesen, Assistant Professor, HPEES Dr. Leslie Reynard, Associate Professor, Communication Dr. Bruce Mechtly, Associate Professor, Computer Information Sciences Dr. Kerry Wynn, Assistant Professor, History Ye Wang, Associate Professor, Art For further information, please contact the Director, Dr. Bruce Mactavish, by phone: (785) 670-1633 or By email: bruce.mactavish@washburn.edu Website: www.washburn.edu/cas/liberal-studies/

MASTER OF LIBERAL STUDIES--College of Arts and Sciences WASHBURN UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM GOAL: The MLS program at Washburn University is designed to develop students who understand the integrated nature of learning. As learning has become increasingly specialized, society continues to need individuals with enhanced skills at seeing the "big picture." Through the combination of core interdisciplinary seminars and an individualized study program, students will become increasingly proficient at moving from the specific to the general and to seeking solutions by integrating the various disciplines. The capstone experience will provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate these skills, as well as the broad humanistic goals of reading, writing, and thinking at a more sophisticated level. OVERSIGHT: Program management is provided by the Master of Liberal Studies Advisory Committee which consists of faculty from the divisions of Humanities, Social Sciences, Performing Arts, Natural Sciences, Military Studies, and Education. The MLS Director is Chair of the committee. The committee will approve all core courses and individualized study programs. The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will sign off on all degrees. Each student will be assigned an advisor from among the committee members. A co-advisor from another academic field may be selected by the student. GRADUATE FACULTY: Although the MLS Advisory Committee will have the responsibility for determining which faculty members will teach these courses, for the most part, the faculty will consist of full-time members of the faculty who are either tenured or on a tenure-track contract. Approved faculty in the Military Studies Program located in the School of Applied Studies are to be included in the MLS graduate faculty. SCHEDULING: Core Interdisciplinary courses will be regularly offered in the evening or on weekends. The MLS Director will work with individual departments to insure that a reasonable mix of upper-division courses are offered at times that are accessible to non-traditional students.

ADMISSIONS: Applicants to the program must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and a bachelor s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants must submit to the MLS Committee an application form plus a three- to five-page essay defining what a liberal education degree means at the graduate level and specifying how the general aims of liberal education are relevant to the specific goals the applicant has in pursuing the MLS degree. The second part of the essay should be as concrete as possible at this early stage of the applicant s plans and should suggest a cohesive link between liberal education and the student s academic needs and career goals. After reading the essay, the committee may then interview applicants for admission. Students must also submit three letters of reference which address the students accomplishments and ability to do quality graduate work. Applicants who do not meet the minimal requirement may petition for probationary admission. To move from probationary to full admission, the candidate must complete 9 hours of graduate courses with a 3.00 GPA. Undergraduate students may petition for admission to graduate courses in the last six hours before completion of their undergraduate program. Please note that applicants who have never attended Washburn must also complete an application for admission to the University. Contact the Admissions Office or visit the Washburn University homepage for details. TRANSFER CREDIT: Transfer credit from other accredited graduate programs will be considered on a case by case basis, but in no case will more than nine hours of transfer credit be accepted. Transfer credit will be granted only in the individualized study component of the program. Twelve hours of interdisciplinary seminars must be completed at Washburn University. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS: Students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 in graduate courses to remain in good standing. Upon completion of six graduate hours, students will be required to select an advisor who will assist them in creating an integrated program with a clear rationale. The program of study must be completed within a 6-year time span. Students who have not been admitted to the program may take courses on a space available basis. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: Completion of the 30 hour requirement with a minimum GPA of 3.0 at graduation and completion of a successful capstone project. 2

MASTER OF LIBERAL STUDIES: A 30-hour program 15 Hours: Individualized Study Program. Students must construct with an advisor an integrated program that goes beyond their undergraduate experience. Students may not repeat for graduate credit a course they have already taken for undergraduate credit. The individualized study program must have a clear rationale, and it must include course work from at least two divisions. The program proposal must be approved by the MLS graduate studies committee. Courses in the ISP may be dual-listed at the 300/500 level. Students receiving graduate credit will have more demanding course requirements, and will complete an appropriate research project. 12 Hours Core: Interdisciplinary Seminars. Faculty will develop a series of interdisciplinary, team-taught seminars. These courses do not assume that students possess professional-level proficiency in the disciplines that provide the courses. Rather they will be offered as Liberal Studies courses that are designed to introduce students to the underpinnings of the disciplines. They will be built around a considerable body of independent work and student presentations to the seminar as a whole. They are interdisciplinary and will be taught by faculty from two or more departments. These courses MUST be completed at Washburn University. Students will select 12 hours from the following: LS-500 Introduction to Graduate Research in Liberal Studies (required) LS-501 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Humanities LS-502 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Social Sciences LS-503 Interdisciplinary Seminar in the Natural Sciences Students must take LS 500, Introduction to Research, in addition to at least one seminar in each area. Each seminar will offer 3 credit hours. Students may take LS-501, 502, or 503 more than once, though they will not be able to repeat a specific seminar. 3

LS 599 (3 credit hours): Capstone Project Students will apprentice themselves to one faculty member to pursue one theme developed in the core interdisciplinary program or individualized study program. The expectation is a research paper of 30 pages or an approved equivalent. Students will be strongly encouraged to develop creative alternatives. Regardless of the form the project takes, it must in some significant way reflect both an in-depth understanding of a specific subject matter and the interdisciplinary nature of learning. Papers or projects will be defended before a three to five person committee consisting of the advisor and two to four other faculty members chosen by the student and approved by the advisor. The Capstone course provides the final opportunity to evaluate the student's mastery of the Liberal Studies curriculum. The final project should reflect the student's appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of learning. Application Deadlines Summer and fall semester admission applications must be received by March 1 Spring semester applications must be received by October 1 4

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION MASTER OF LIBERAL STUDIES WASHBURN UNIVERSITY Name of Applicant: Address: Email: Instructions: Applicants must complete this form and also an application to Washburn University. The MLS Advisory Committee reserves the right to select those applicants it deems most qualified to pursue the program. Records of graduation, grade point average, and an essay are required to substantiate statements in this application. Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work directly to the MLS Program, Washburn University, 1700 SW College Blvd., Topeka, KS 66621. The committee acts only on complete applications. Each completed application will be considered on its merits, and the committee may also choose to interview candidates for admission. A formal decision will be made as to admission of the applicant; this decision will be communicated in writing to the applicant. 1) BEGINNING WITH THE MOST RECENT, list in order of your attendance all colleges and universities you have attended, including the one in which you are currently enrolled. List all schools, regardless of the length of time enrolled or number of credits earned. Name of Institution (no initials) Location City & State From Mo/Yr Number of Credits To Mo/Yr Major Degree Obtained Date of Degree 2) ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: Applicants must provide all of the following information: Overall Grade Point Average (GPA): GPA for last 60 undergrad credits: 3) HONORS, AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS: Please list and explain in the box below. 4) EXPERIENCE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES: Indicate any research experience in interdisciplinary studies (e.g., publications, papers presented, practica, field work, etc.)

5) PREREQUISITE COURSES: May be required for specific courses in the program. 6) PREVIOUS GRADUATE COURSE WORK: List any graduate level courses completed, giving the course title, grade, year, and institution where the course was taken. 7) PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Describe past and present work experiences which might be relevant to your ability to do interdisciplinary studies. Indicate length of employment, part or full-time, kind of work done. 8) GOALS and OBJECTIVES: What do you hope to be able to do as a result of earning this degree? 9) INDIVIDUALIZED STUDY PROGRAM: Please indicate which area of study you are most interested in: Arts and Humanities Social Sciences Natural Sciences and Mathematics. 10) SPECIAL SKILLS: Indicate below any special skills or interests which you feel would enhance your abilities to function in an interdisciplinary program (e.g., foreign language fluency, computer skills, managerial or supervisory experience, knowledge of a particular sub-culture, or any other experience or skill you feel would support your application). 11) PROGRESS IN PROGRAM: Please indicate below if you expect to be a full or part-time student. 12) WHEN DO YOU WISH TO BEGIN THE PROGRAM?

13) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Letters are required from three or more persons who know your academic and personal abilities well. Please list your references' names and addresses below and have them send their letters directly to the MLS Program, Washburn University, 1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, KS 66621. Name Position Address Signature: Date: