Master in Liberal Studies

Morgan, Room 108
(785) 231-1010 ext. 1636
email: zzfaul@washburn.edu

The Degree
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Source: 2002-2003 Catalog

The Master of Liberal Studies 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 become increasingly proficient at moving from the specific to the general and to seeking solutions by integrating the various disciplines. The capstone experience provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate these skills, as well as the broad humanistic goals of reading, writing, and thinking at a sophisticated level.

APPLICATIONS
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 on their intellectual goals and their understanding of a liberal education. After reading the essay, the committee may then interview applicants for admission. 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.

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. Correspondence regarding admission should be addressed as follows:

Dr. Howard Faulkner
Director, MLS
College of Arts and Sciences
Washburn University
1700 SW College Avenue
Topeka, KS 66621
(785) 231 -1010 ext 1445
email: zzfaul@washburn.edu

Academic Advising and Graduate Faculty
A Master of Liberal Studies Advisory Committee with faculty representation from the divisions of Humanities, Social Sciences, Performing Arts, Natural Sciences, Military Studies, and Education. The College of Arts and Sciences Dean serves as Chair. The committee approves all core courses, individualized study programs, and special topics courses. The committee Chair signs 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.

Although the MLS Advisory Committee has 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 included in the MLS graduate faculty.