Liberal Studies Graduate Program
We regret to inform everyone that admissions to UMD’s Master of Liberal Studies program have been suspended indefinitely.
This action was taken, after considerable deliberation, by a committee of the program faculty in consultation with officers of the College of Liberal Arts, Continuing Education, and The Graduate School. Should you have further questions, please contact Cheryl Aker at 218/726-8149 or caker@d.umn.edu
Master of Liberal Studies (MLS)
A degree of difference!
The Masters of Liberal Studies Program allows graduate students to create a masters program from courses and areas they want to study at their own pace and convenience. It is designed for the college graduate who wishes to obtain a master’s degree without interrupting his or her career. In addition to a wide variety of courses across disciplines, MLS specific seminars and modules focus on the diversity of the human condition.
The MLS Program requires
students to take a minimum of 32 credits and a Plan B Project.
The program core requirements (9 credits)
IS 8001 Introduction to Liberal Studies (4 credits)
IS 8501 Seminar: Ethics and the Human Condition (4 credits)
IS 8591 Directed Study which can be taken for 1 credit
It is the goal of this program to provide students with analytical tools
and background knowledge in the arts and sciences which help them appreciate
the diversity of the human race as well as the varied attempts to study
it.
|
|
|
|
|
The MLS is Different
MLS graduates are broadly-educated, confident individuals who have used their education to enhance their professional and personal lives.
Personal fulfillment leads to professional enhancement. Graduates of the hundreds of liberal studies programs around the country -- business people, home-makers, teachers, law enforcement officers, medical professionals -- find that a master's degree gives them greater mobility and scope for advancement.
What's more, the MLS offers students a chance to complete a master's program that fits into their personal and work schedules. While some students are "full-time," most are busy working people who take one course per term. UMD faculty teach classes from fields as diverse as philosophy, biology, anthropology, and art.
MLS
Summer 2008
Course Electives
For more information on these courses, go to: http://onestop2.umn.edu/courseinfo/classschedule_selectsubject.jsp?institution=UMNDL
May Session 2008
May 19 – June 6, 2008
Art 4691 Individual Study in Photography
Comm 4394 Directed Research in Communication
CSt 4691 Independent Study in Cultural Studies
Econ 4777 Environmental Economics
Geog 5991 Independent Study in Geography
MgtS 4431 Leadership
Pol 4191 Independent Study
SW 5222 Intervention in Family Violence
Soc 4925 Sociology of Rape
Soc 4960 Graveyard Culture
Soc 4991 Independent Study in Sociology
WS 5991 Independent Study
Summer Session
2008 June 9 – August 1, 2008
Amin 4990 Directed Research
Art 4700 Drawing III
Art 4791 Individual Study in Drawing
Comm 4394 Directed Research in Communication
Comp 5591 Independent Study
Comp 8994 Directed Research in Composition
CSt 4691 Independent Study in Cultural Studies
Econ 4991 Independent Study
Educ 5413 Teaching With Technology
Educ 5414 Using Technology for the Administrative Tasks of Teaching
Educ 5415 Advanced Educational Media Production
Engl 5591 Independent Study
Geog 5991 Independent Study in Geography
Grad 999 Graduate School Active Status
IS 8591 Directed Study
Ling 8591 Independent Study in Linguistics
Mktg 4721 Advertising and Marketing Communications
Phil 5991 Independent Study
Pol 4191 Independent Study
Psy 4500 Health Psychology
Psy 5131 Mind-Body Connection
SW 5032 Child Welfare and the Law
SW 5091 Independent Study
SW 5235 American Indians and Social Policy
SW 5280 Addressing Alcohol Related Problems in Social Work Practice
Soc 4991 Independent Study in Sociology
SpED 5106 Working with Children with Low Incidence Disabilities
SpED 5260 Language and Social Skills for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders
WS 5991 Independent
Study
Plan B Projects
In place of a thesis, MLS students complete one to three original research papers called "Plan B Projects" which may be an expansion of work done in a course or another topic of special interest. Plan B papers and projects are submitted to the examining committee before your final oral presentation and examination and represent 120 hours of independent research.
Faculty
MLS courses are taught by award-winning and acclaimed faculty such as those pictured below.
| Gesa Zinn, Ph.D.
Department of Foreign Language Director, MLS Program gzinn @d.umn.edu http://www.d.umn.edu/~gzinn/ |
|
 |
Lawrence M.
Knopp, Jr., Ph.D. |
| Robert Weidner,
Ph.D. Department of Sociology- Anthropology rweidner@d.umn.edu http://www.d.umn.edu/~rweidner/ |
 |
Admission requirements
MLS program applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree and should have a minimum GPA of 3.0. No GRE or other entrance exam is required.
Application process
Upon receipt of the Graduate School application form, students must then forward the following materials to the Graduate School office at UMD by the deadline:
- the completed application form
- two official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate grade records
- a letter stating in narrative form their reasons for wishing to pursue the MLS degree and describing their education and career experiences
- three letters of recommendation from persons in a position to evaluate students' potential for success
- a non-refundable application fee
Program Application Deadlines
Financial assistance for students in the MLS program
Tuition scholarships are currently available to students participating in the MLS Program: the Ann Anderson Scholarship and the Edward J. Smith Scholarship. They are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and/or financial need.
Ann Carlson Anderson, an alumnus of UMD, is a professor of music at UMD, a leader in educational and musical circles, a past president of the alumni association and a most generous donor. Ann believes in the importance of the liberal arts and its contribution to a well-rounded life. Students receiving this scholarship must have demonstrated academic excellence while enrolled in the Master of Liberal Studies program.
Edward J. Smith attended UMD and served as a member of the Academic Support and Student Life staff until his death in 1994. He valued lifelong learning and was a role model for those facing hardship and handicaps. This scholarship is dedicated to older students returning to higher education. To be eligible for the Smith scholarship, MLS students must be more than 25 years of age and have demonstrated financial need.
Marguerite Mason is an alumna of the Master of Liberal Studies program. One of the high points in her life was having the opportunity to participate in the Master of Liberal Studies program at UMD. She enjoyed taking classes and is a life long learning. Ms. Mason was the first student to graduate from the MLS program in 1995. Attending UMD has been an important part of her adult life. Ms. Mason feels it is important to give back in some small way so she has established the Marguerite Mason Scholarship. This scholarship will be given out every other year to students who have a basis of academic excellence and/or financial need.
Each year, scholarships are available to currently enrolled MLS students. Scholarships may be awarded upon entering the program with prior exemplary achievements.
Other opportunities are available to MLS students, including loans and financial assistance. Although the MLS program has no research or teaching assistantships available, students are eligible to apply for these positions in other departments.
You may download Scholarship application materials and submit them by mail or in person.For more information, contact Cheryl Aker at 218/726-8149 or caker@d.umn.edu.
More information
For more information about the MLS Program, contact Cheryl Aker at 218/726-8149 or caker@d.umn.edu
For additional details, see the UMD Graduate School .