- Who do I contact with questions about financial aid?
- How much are tuition and fees?
- Can I transfer credits from another university?
- What do you mean when you say "liberal arts"?
- What can I study in the MLS program?
- Will this program prepare me for a doctoral program or a particular profession?
- Do I have to complete the MLS program within a certain amount of time?
Who do I contact with questions about financial aid?
Direct questions to finaid@metrostate.edu
How much are tuition and fees?
See Tuition and Fees
Can I transfer credits from another university?
Up to eight graduate credits (earned anywhere) may be applied to Master of Liberal Studies Program requirements, provided that those credits are not part of any other completed degree program, and that the credits are clearly relevant to the student's Master of Liberal Studies Program.
What do you mean when you say "liberal arts"?
The liberal arts have been defined as "Academic disciplines such as languages, literature, history, philosophy, mathematics, and science, that provide information of general cultural concern." The liberal arts may thus be thought of as distinct from professional or technical education, although degree programs vary in content and nomenclature from instiution to instiution. The Metropolitan State majors in liberal arts disciplines are:
| Applied Mathematics Biology Computer Forensics Computer Information Systems Computer Science English Ethnic Studies History |
Liberal Arts Philosophy Professional Communication Screenwriting Technical Communication Theater Women's Studies Writing |
What can I study in the Master of Liberal Studies Program?
The Master of Liberal Studies Program is a generalist, interdisciplinary program of study within the liberal arts. Course work in the Master of Liberal Studies Program focuses on particular topics, themes, or questions which are explored through the lenses of multiple liberal arts disciplines. Consequently, in the Master of Liberal Studies Program it is not possible to study one discipline exclusively, nor is it possible to study topics that rely heavily on disciplines outside of the liberal arts.
Students in the Master of Liberal Studies Program study a wide range of topics within the liberal arts. All students complete 12 credit-hours of MLS 620 Explorations, which are interdisciplinary thematic courses taught by highly-qualified faculty from different disciplines. Students complete an additional 12 credit-hours of elective course work enabling them to personalize their plan of study to their own particular educational objectives and interests within the liberal arts. Finally, students complete an independently designed and directed capstone project culminating from their work throughout the program.
Will this program prepare me for a doctoral program or a particular profession?
Advanced liberal arts study characteristic of an Master of Liberal Studies Program has the capacity to expand one’s potential for analysis, communication, critical thinking, cultural and multicultural understanding, intellectual resourcefulness, problem-solving, and research. Such skills and knowledge are portable and applicable in the workplace, and increase one’s capacity for further intellectual growth.
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of an Master of Liberal Studies Program, it may provide an appropriate preparation for some doctoral programs, particularly those which are also interdisciplinary. However, for admission to many doctoral programs, an extensive record of successful graduate-level course work within a single discipline is either required or highly desirable. Students considering doctoral programs should check admission requirements for the specific programs of interest to determine whether an Master of Liberal Studies Program of study will satisfy the course work and degree requirements.
An MLS degree is relevant for work in any profession. However, it does not seek to develop the highly-specialized skills and knowledge required for particular professions. The Master of Liberal Studies Program builds skills relevant to successful management, leadership and creative work, like strong oral and writing skills, multicultural understanding and problem-solving, through critical analysis of questions and topics from multiple disciplinary perspectives.
There is no specified period of time by which a degree must be completed. However, students in good academic standing who have not registered for courses for three or more calendar years must reapply to the Master of Liberal Studies Program. If readmitted, they would be required to satisfy the degree requirements in force at the time of readmission, even if those requirements differ from those in force at the time of their original admission to the Master of Liberal Studies Program.
