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Metropolitan State University (Home)

Liberal Studies (MA)

College of Liberal Arts
Graduate degree / Master of Arts

About The Program

"In the age of tunnel vision and specialization, graduate liberal arts education can help prepare one for the full range of human perspectives in our global community. It works to extend the individual's reach beyond the sum total of all his/her parts," Akmed Khalifa, Master of Liberal Studies program graduate.

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is a student-centered, interdisciplinary graduate program designed for individuals who have successfully completed a bachelor's degree. Admitted students progress from an introductory seminar through a series of team-taught courses to explore advanced liberal arts themes and issues through methodologies drawn from several disciplines. Students create major research projects aligned with their personal educational goals, and support and develop their work on these projects through a series of graduate-level supporting study courses or independent studies.

For each student, the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program culminates in the creation of a self-directed capstone project that draws from and builds upon the program as a whole. Metropolitan State University's student-centered Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) program will enable you to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the liberal arts. Master of Liberal Studies coursework will enhance your potential for analysis, communication, multicultural understanding and research through interdisciplinary study within the liberal arts.

In an era of information explosion and rapid global development, these liberal studies skills and knowledge will be applicable in your workplace, your community and your personal sphere. MLS graduates will broaden and deepen their store of knowledge through the specific liberal arts content of their MLS seminars, MLS Exploration, and MLS supporting study course work. MLS graduates will gain enhanced, graduate-level skills, which include:

  • Research: locating and organizing information
  • Analysis: critical thinking, source evaluation
  • Communication: writing, oral presentation, discussion

MLS graduates will have succeeded in applying 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.

The Master of Liberal Studies program will:

  • Offer flexible scheduling, with all classes available on evenings or weekends.
  • Offer courses for you to explore topics and issues from several liberal arts disciplines.
  • Offer intensive faculty advising as you create an individualized plan of study aligned with your educational goals and interests in the liberal arts.
  • Culminate in the creation of a self-directed capstone project drawing on interdisciplinary Master of Liberal Studies Program coursework, elective courses, or independent studies.

Trajectory of courses

The “MLS 600 Introductory Seminar” 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. MLS 600 should be taken in a student’s first or second semester after admission. 

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 supporting study at the 500G or higher level, which can include independent studies or internships. All MLS supporting study credits must be clearly relevant to the student's MLS program.

A student may register for "MLS 690 Master of Liberal Studies Capstone" upon completion of MLS 600 and at least 24 credits in the Master of Liberal Studies program (at least 8 supporting study credits, and at least 8 credits in MLS 620's); and with an approved Capstone Project Proposal. The MLS 690 Capstone revolves around the final revisions and completion of students' self-directed capstone projects.

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 reader from a discipline related to the student's evolving capstone project. The faculty reader 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.

Student outcomes

  • Perform interdisciplinary research skills
    • demonstrate the ability to locate appropriate scholarly and/or creative materials that will contribute significantly to the project, drawing upon more than one liberal arts discipline.
    • evaluate sources in terms of
      • relevance,
      • scope
      • credibility
  • Apply analytical skills on liberal arts issues
    • demonstrate the ability to
      • think critically using primary and/or secondary sources as they are integrated intellectually and creatively with original insights, to establish the general effectiveness of the project ,
      • interpret secondary sources as they are integrated intellectually and creatively with original insights, to establish the general effectiveness of the project. 
  • Implement polished communication skills
    • perform with advanced proficiency in
      • written communication skills, according to the nature of the disciplines involved
      • oral communication skills, according to the nature of the disciplines involved.

How to enroll

Program eligibility requirements

  • BA or BS degree from an accredited institution
  • Major or at least 3 to 5 courses in Liberal Arts disciplines: Arts, History, Philosophy, Communications, Humanities, Religious Studies, Ethnic Studies, Linguistics, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Literature, or Writing.
  • 3.0 GPA (Exceptions to this standard are based upon the MLS Admissions Committee’s recognition of special circumstances for the lower GPA and the candidate’s clear demonstration of additional compensatory strengths.)

Transfer credits

Up to 8 graduate credits earned at another accredited institution (or at Metropolitan State University before Liberal Studies, MA admission) may be applied to the Liberal Studies, MA (MLS) Program's supporting study requirement, provided those credits are clearly relevant to the student's MLS Program, and not part of any other completed degree.

Application instructions

Metro State University is participating in the common application for graduate programs (GradCAS). Applications are only accepted via the CAS website.

CAS steps

  1. Select the term for which you are seeking admission (below), and navigate to the CAS website. Open applications include:
  2. Create or log in to your account and select the Liberal Studies (MA) program.
  3. Carefully review all instructions and complete all four sections of the application.

Specific application requirements for individual programs can be found on each program page in CAS. Carefully read the instructions that appear throughout the application pages. You can only submit your application once. If you need to update information you have submitted, please notify graduate.studies@metrostate.edu

Application fee

A nonrefundable $38 fee is required for each application.
Applications will not be processed until this fee is received.

Active-duty military, veterans, and Metro State alumni can receive an application fee waiver. Contact graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Graduate policies and procedures

For important details contact the Director for a copy of the Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) Handbook or ask questions at mls@metrostate.edu.

Academic progress For Liberal Studies, MA students

  • To remain in good standing and to be qualified for graduation, you must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. Grades below C do not apply to program requirements, but are calculated in the cumulative grade point average.
  • Policies relating to academic probation, dismissal, and reapplication are determined by the school or college in which you are enrolled. The College of Liberal Arts determines these policies through its programs.

Program requirements

Program requirements supported by published policies, which are effective at the time a student is admitted to a graduate program, cannot be appealed. Students must meet the requirements for a degree as listed in the Metropolitan State University Graduate Catalog or other official program materials in place at the time of admission to Metropolitan State.

Time limit

You must meet all graduation requirements within the specified time-limits. Starting with the semester for which they are admitted, students shall have up to five (5) years from the first date of enrollment to complete their Master's degree. Alternatively, you may petition the MLS Director and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts to extend the specified time limit. Please note that the Liberal Studies, MA credits do not expire.

Transfer policy

The Liberal Studies, MA (MLS) Program accepts up to 8 transfer credits if those are:

  1. clearly pertinent as Supporting Study in the judgment of the MLS director,
  2. not part of a completed degree program anywhere else, and from an appropriately accredited institution.

This determination is made by the MLS Program not the College of Liberal Arts or Admissions.

Academic standing

Academic standing is calculated at the end of each semester. Graduate students must remain in satisfactory academic standing to continue in a doctoral, master's or graduate certificate program. Only courses for which students receive a letter grade of C (2.0) or better count toward degree or certificate requirements.

For MLS, the option of S/NC grades is available for supporting study internships.

A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and passing grades (i.e., C or better) for all required courses in any graduate program is required for graduation. The Policy 2080: Grading Policy regarding repeating courses with failing grades applies exactly as it does for undergraduates. There is no limit on retakes.

Dismissal due to unsatisfactory academic standing

Students who receive a grade below a C in a required course must re-take the course and pass it in order to complete their program and graduate. There is no time limit between taking and retaking a course under Policy 2080: Grading Policy or Policy 2300: Graduate Programs although there are still time-limits for completing the Program.

The MLS Program does not dismiss for one grade below a C; the MLS Program dismisses for sustained inability to meet GPA or Completion Ratio rules.

Appeal of dismissal due to unsatisfactory academic standing

Students who are dismissed from the Program may appeal their dismissal to the Program Director and the College of Liberal Arts Dean within 30 days of the date of the letter notifying them of the decision to dismiss them from the program. Appeals received after 30 days will not be considered. The appeal must be made in writing and provide specific grounds for the appeal. The Dean has 30 days to respond in writing to the appeal. If needed, then students can appeal next to the Provost.

Readmission after dismissal

Students who have been dismissed from a graduate program may apply for readmission no sooner than one calendar year after the last semester of study. To reapply, they have to complete the same process that was required for their initial admission, and they must meet all the requirements of the program at the time of readmission. Readmission decisions are made by the College of Liberal Arts Dean.

Requirements (32 credits)

+ Program curriculum (32 credits)

MLS 600 is a student's first Master of Liberal Studies course, and MLS 690 is the last. Apart from that there is significant flexibility in the order or pace at which a student takes Master of Liberal Studies courses (subject to the availability of classes). Each of the three MLS 620 Explorations are like interdisciplinary topic seminars focused on a different topic. Students must take 12 credits of supporting study requirements.

The seminar will address aspects of theory, method, research, and knowledge formation in selected disciplines within communications, humanities, and social sciences. The course will move from the study of selected disciplines to an interdisciplinary study of the connections among disciplines and the implications for each student's program of study and final research project.

Full course description for Introductory Seminar

The MLS Explorations, a requirement within Metropolitan State's MLS degree program, brings students and faculty together to explore topics of consequence that relate to a common theme. The MLS program requires an introductory seminar, MLS 600 that introduces students to graduate study and helps them formulate a focus in the MLS program. Students then complete at least three MLS 620 explorations that, with electives and a capstone, comprise their MLS program.

Full course description for Master of Liberal Studies Explorations

The MLS Explorations, a requirement within Metropolitan State's MLS degree program, brings students and faculty together to explore topics of consequence that relate to a common theme. The MLS program requires an introductory seminar, MLS 600 that introduces students to graduate study and helps them formulate a focus in the MLS program. Students then complete at least three MLS 620 explorations that, with electives and a capstone, comprise their MLS program.

Full course description for Master of Liberal Studies Explorations

The MLS Explorations, a requirement within Metropolitan State's MLS degree program, brings students and faculty together to explore topics of consequence that relate to a common theme. The MLS program requires an introductory seminar, MLS 600 that introduces students to graduate study and helps them formulate a focus in the MLS program. Students then complete at least three MLS 620 explorations that, with electives and a capstone, comprise their MLS program.

Full course description for Master of Liberal Studies Explorations

12 credits (usually 3 courses) of Supporting Study courses (these are courses like electives that support your capstone theme and need approval by the advisor) are required in addition to the courses above.

Students take at least 12 credits of graduate course work at the 500G level or higher, in courses (such as TCID 583G Writing Major Projects, WRIT 541G Writing for Publication and Profit, & WRIT 531G Advanced Writing), independent studies, or internships that are clearly relevant to the student's evolving Capstone Project. Students are encouraged to take a supporting study course with their capstone reader (the reader is an additional resource and expert for a student working on their Capstone Project).

Study Abroad Courses: A possible supporting study course for your capstone topic when offered

Before taking MLS 620A: Master of Liberal Studies Explorations, you are required to take the preparation course MLS 001A Study Abroad Workshop Pre-Departure Information Sessions (0 credits).

The MLS Explorations, a requirement within Metropolitan State's MLS degree program, brings students and faculty together to explore topics of consequence that relate to a common theme. The MLS program requires an introductory seminar, MLS 600 that introduces students to graduate study and helps them formulate a focus in the MLS program. Students then complete at least three MLS 620 explorations that, with electives and a capstone, comprise their MLS program.

Full course description for Master of Liberal Studies Explorations