Master of Liberal Studies   Program Director: Smith, Ken Office: Wiekamp Hall 3123                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Telephone: (574) 520-4173 Internet Address: ksmith@iusb.edu General Information The Master of Liberal Studies (M.L.S.) program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences provides opportunities to engage your curiosity in an intellectual exploration of the world of ideas. But the rewards of the pursuit of knowledge go beyond intellectual satisfaction. You will gain a refreshed approach to an enriched personal and professional life through a program that reinvigorates curiosity and creativity. You will gain fresh perspectives and the critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills so valued in today's workplace. Students begin with an introduction to graduate liberal studies and interdisciplinary methodology, and then enroll in at least three core seminars in the humanities, the sciences, and the social sciences. Seminars combine detailed study of a particular topic with a broad interdisciplinary examination of ways of understanding. The M.L.S. program draws on faculty with diverse expertise to explore topics through a multidisciplinary approach. Admission Requirements Students are admitted to the M.L.S. program by the Graduate Liberal Studies Committee of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. To be considered for admission, students must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and must have obtained an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Exceptions to these requirements may be made at the discretion of the graduate liberal studies committee. A student whose native language is not English must have a minimum TOEFL score of 560 (standard grading) or 220 (computer graded). The recommended TOEFL score is 600 (standard grading) or 250 (computer graded). Application Deadlines Students may be admitted to the M.L.S. program to begin in either the fall or spring semesters. All admission decisions are made by the faculty members of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Graduate Liberal Studies Committee. The committee meets to review applications 3 times each year. The deadlines for submitting completed applications for review by the committee are as follows: • March 31 Early admission, fall semester • August 1 Final admission, fall semester • October 31 Admission, spring semester Students wishing to enter in the fall are strongly encouraged to submit their materials by the March 31 early admission deadline to assure there will be an opening in the program. Students are also advised to give reference letter writers at least two to four weeks notice so that their letters will arrive prior to the deadline. Applications that are not completed by a given deadline will not be considered until the next deadline and may cause a delay in admissions by one semester. Completed applications include the following: •  On-Line Application • Personal essay • Three letters of reference • Transcripts of all previous undergraduate study • Application fee All students wishing to enter the program should contact the director prior to submitting an application. Academic Curriculum (33 cr.) (All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.) After successfully passing the introductory proseminar and the core seminar requirements for the program, students may select from one of two options to complete their M.L.S. degree. Proseminar LBST-D 510 Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies Core Seminars LBST-D 501 Humanities Seminar LBST-D 502 Social Sciences Seminar LBST-D 503 Science Seminar Each of the core courses is a graduate seminar combining detailed study of particular topics with broad interdisciplinary perspectives. These courses give students the opportunity to explore the connections that exist among the diverse disciplines and perspectives that define contemporary knowledge. Electives LBST-D 511 M.L.S. Humanities Elective LBST-D 512 M.L.S. Social Science Elective LBST-D 513 M.L.S. Science Elective LBST-D 514 Graduate Liberal Studies Overseas Study LBST-D 594 Liberal Studies Directed Readings LBST-D 596 Liberal Studies Independent Research Electives offer students a wide variety of choices with which to create programs of study suited to their individual interests. These elective courses may be selected to build support and background for the graduate project, or to enable students to more ably participate in the public intellectual, artistic, and cultural life of their communities. In addition to the above, students may also repeat core seminars (each may be taken up to two more times under a different topic); take up to three 300- and 400-level undergraduate courses with a Request for Graduate Credit Contract listing extra work; and/or take graduate courses from other IU South Bend departments, divisions, and schools. NOTE: M.L.S. students may take no more than a total of 6 credit hours of LBST-D 594 and LBST-D 596 combined. To complete the degree, students must choose one of the following curricular options. Independent Research/Creative Activity Option (33 cr.) The Independent Research/Creative Activity Option offers students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty committee and to complete a final project designed around their unique interests. Students must take 12 credits of electives and then successfully complete their program with a graduate project. The graduate project is an independent scholarly enterprise in which the student demonstrates mastery of a specific topic. Examples include: a thesis, a computer program, a translation of a work of literature, or an artistic composition or performance. Electives (12 cr.) Capstone Experience (9 cr.) LBST-D 601 M.L.S. Project Proposal Seminar LBST-D 602 Graduate Project (6 cr.) Public Intellectual Option (33 cr.) Upon completion of two additional core seminars and 12 credits of electives, the Public Intellectual Option offers students the opportunity to work within a learning community made up of other students and led by a faculty facilitator to explore the variety of genre through which public intellectuals communicate, and to create their own portfolio of public intellectual work to be submitted for completion of the M.L.S. degree. Additional Core Seminars (6 cr.) Electives (12 cr.) Capstone Experience (3 cr.) LBST-D 600 Public Intellectual Practicum Academic Regulations Students must have their programs of study approved by the M.L.S. program director. An average grade of B (3.0) is required for graduation, and no course with a grade lower than B– (2.7) will be counted towards the degree. Students are required to retain good academic standing, i.e., to maintain a GPA of at least 2.7. Failure to maintain good standing may result in dismissal from the program. Other academic regulations and policies are established by the Graduate Liberal Studies Committee of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students are to consult the M.L.S. program director for further information.               For specific degree requirements for admission into the program click here.