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Master of Liberal Studies (M.A.)
[Admissions Requirements]
What's to Be Gained from Graduate Study in Liberal Arts?
MLS graduates will broaden and deepen their store of knowledge, derived from the specific liberal arts content of their MLS seminar, MLS core coursework, and MLS elective coursework.
MLS graduates will gain enhanced, graduate-level skills:
- Locating Information
- Critical Thinking and Analysis
- Writing
- Presentation and Discussion
MLS graduates will have succeeded in applying MLS skills and knowledge within structured opportunities for self-directed research, employing interdisciplinary perspectives inclusive of diverse viewpoints and anchored in the liberal arts, leading to effective presentations of research within a student-centered community of motivated adult learners similarly engaged.
Professional and Personal Benefits
Advanced liberal arts study expands one's potential for analysis, communication, critical thinking, cultural and multicultural understanding, intellectual resourcefulness, problem-solving, and research. Liberal studies skills and knowledge are portable and applicable in the workplace, the community, and the personal sphere. In an era of information explosion and rapid global development, it is more timely than ever to invest in advanced liberal arts study.
Many employees need a master's degree as a prerequisite for supervisory or managerial positions. Our program offers an alternative to the MBA, one centered in the liberal arts, but still building skills relevant to successful management. Other individuals can qualify for raises or promotions with a graduate degree. And many pursue post-baccalaureate education for personal enrichment, including those not interested in predetermined courses of study.
Graduate Liberal Studies at Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University is committed to make education accessible to busy working adults. The Master of Liberal Studies program is designed to help its students succeed in meeting their individual educational objectives:
- Evening and weekend classes
- Flexible program completion guidelines
- Opportunities for independent study and internships
This MLS program reflects the mission of Metropolitan State University in several ways.
- The MLS program welcomes and encourages diversity in students, faculty, and topics of study alike, capitalizing upon a range of backgrounds and life experiences.
- As part of Metropolitan State's curriculum, MLS courses will be affordable and offered in formats and at times convenient for working adult learners, maximizing accessibility.
- The MLS is a strongly student-centered program, leading each student towards academic success through independent research projects within and across courses, and ultimately to a student-designed capstone project that supports each student's pursuit of his or her educational goals.
- Taught principally by experienced university professors, the MLS is a high quality liberal arts program, with an unshakeable commitment to academic excellence.
- The MLS program is situated squarely within the context of lifelong learning, welcoming students seeking post-baccalaureate liberal arts study, and preparing them with enhanced skills and knowledge to continue that study throughout their lives.
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The Master of Liberal Studies Program Design
An admitted MLS student begins by taking "MLS 600 Introductory Seminar," which teaches methods of interdisciplinary inquiry through variable topics within which students craft individual projects. Arising from interactions with seminar team teachers, and with other students, one of the seminar's outcomes is analysis and refinement of each student's educational objectives, within the framework of MLS program resources.
Following MLS 600, a student then selects at least three iterations of "MLS 620 Master of Liberal Studies Exploration." Topics vary, but each MLS 620 encourages interdisciplinary inquiry, with opportunities to pursue individual interests as these relate to the Exploration's theme. For example, a student interested in world politics and economics might take an Exploration on the topic of globalism. Students also select 12 credits of electives at the 500G or higher level, which can include independent studies or internships.
A student may register for "MLS 690 Master of Liberal Studies Capstone" upon completion of MLS 600 and at least 24 credits in the MLS program (at least 8 elective credits, and at least 8 credits in MLS 620's); and with an approved Capstone Project Proposal. The MLS 690 Capstone revolves around the facilitation and completion of students' self-directed capstone projects, broadly defined not only to include research papers, but projects, artwork, or performances that would, however, include a reflective written component.
Overview of MLS Program
Required Coursework (32 credits):
MLS 600 Introductory Seminar
MLS 620 Master of Liberal Studies Exploration (1)
MLS 620 Master of Liberal Studies Exploration (2)
MLS 620 Master of Liberal Studies Exploration (3)
Electives Graduate coursework (12 credits) at the 500G level or higher, in courses, independent studies, or internships as appropriate.
MLS 690 Master of Liberal Studies Capstone Course
Sequence: MLS 600 is a student's first MLS course, and MLS 690 is the last. Apart from that there is significant flexibility in the order or pace at which a student takes MLS courses.
Transfer Credits: Up to 8 graduate credits earned at another accredited institution (or at Metropolitan State University before MLS admission) may be applied to the MLS program.
Master of Liberal Studies Academic Advising
Since its founding, Metropolitan State University has emphasized a student-centered educational philosophy, with strong faculty involvement in advising. For MLS students, advising occurs in several ways. One is embedded in "MLS 600 Introductory Seminar," where students articulate their MLS educational objectives.
Each MLS student will also be assigned a graduate faculty advisor, who can advise students towards appropriate course selection, and also help to arrange creative learning strategies, including customized independent studies and internships.
As a student nears completion of the MLS, the advisor also helps with the appointment of a faculty consultant from a discipline related to the student's evolving capstone project. The faculty consultant reviews a student's capstone project, and thus in addition to the team teachers of MLS 690, can advise to reinforce cohesion and quality in the final stages of a student's MLS.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, a student is expected to have completed a bachelor's degree before beginning MLS coursework. The MLS Admissions Committee will make admissions decisions on the basis of the following:
- Official copies of the student's undergraduate transcripts
- GPA from the degree-granting institution, normally a minimum GPA of 3.00*
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic or professional record
- A recent resume or vita (The admissions committee will value occupational and/or community experience in addition to appropriate academic preparation.)
- An essay by the applicant about his/her academic interests and goals
- A writing sample (in addition to the above essay)
(*The admissions committee may grant conditional admission to students with a bachelor's degree and a GPA lower than 3.00. Conditionally admitted students could thereafter progress to full admission upon completion of 8 graduate-level credits with a GPA of at least 3.00.)
For questions, or application materials contact:
Professor Lawrence Moe, Ph.D.
Lawrence.Moe@metrostate.edu
Director, Liberal Arts Major Program
Metropolitan State University
700 East Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55106-5000
phone 651-793-1429
fax 651-793-1446
For additional program information click here http://archive.metrostate.edu/cas/libarts/master_liberal_studies.html |
International Students
The graduate program welcomes International Student applicants. Please contact the International Admissions Office by email Debbie.palm@metrostate.edu or by phone 651-793 1222 with questions regarding international student processing. Be prepared to provide the following upon the request of the Admissions office:
- Affidavit of Financial Support
- Photocopy of passport and I-94
- Transfer Verification Form
- Copy of Current I-20
In addition to other documents required of the application packet the following is required of international students for their application to be considered complete:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Score Report
TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service. Detailed information can be obtained from either the TOEFL website (www.ets.org) or by mail to TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, (609) 771-7100.
Only TOEFL tests administered by the Educational Testing Service and sent to our office directly by the TOEFL office will be accepted.
A TOEFL or Michigan test score is not required if you have acquired an undergraduate Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction was English.
Your most recent score must be at least 600 for the paper-and-pencil test or at least 250 for the computer-based test.
- World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) Transcript Evaluation
These two services evaluate educational credentials from any country in the world into their U.S. equivalents. It describes each certificate, diploma or degree that you have earned and states its academic equivalency in the United States. Contact either organization by going to their respective websites, www.wes.org or www.ece.org This is not required if you acquired your baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution within the United States.
All score reports and transcript evaluations should be mailed to:
Master of Liberal Studies Program
Metropolitan State University
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000 (top of page)
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