Liberal Studies, M.L.S.

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The pursuit of a human-centered, interdisciplinary, Master of Liberal Studies degree from SMU fosters growth for professional and community leaders. Students can pursue their lifelong intellectual passions and enhance their leadership contributions to their professions and the world.

Designed to offer flexibility to students in planning their master’s level study, M.L.S. coursework encourages creative and critical thinking by taking courses in humanities, organizational dynamics, social justice, arts, and culture. Students benefit from building vital skills and examining the human condition from a variety of perspectives in order to engage with many complex challenges of the 21st century.

Curriculum

Behavioral Sciences. Behavioral sciences courses examine individuals and their behavior in various environmental settings such as family and the workplace. Courses blend psychology, sociology, organizational behavior and anthropology to introduce students to issues in human behavior as it is influenced by cultural values and expectations.

Fine Arts. Fine arts courses offer a variety of perspectives on artistic expression throughout history and across cultures. The variety of courses encourages students to study Western and non-Western visual arts, dramatic arts, and creative writing within a broad socio-historical context.

Humanities. Humanities courses offer the broadest possible treatments of literature, philosophy, religion and communications. By connecting the history of human ideas as presented and disseminated through poetry and imaginative literature and the development of religious and philosophical thought, humanities courses provide insight into the nature and development of humankind.

Science and Culture. Science and culture courses present issues pertaining to health, the environment, the understanding of the natural world and the implications of technological advancement as approached by professors of chemistry, environmental sciences, physics and biology.

Social Science. Social science courses provide a blend of history, human rights, economics and political science in the study of wealth, power and status. Courses explore the nature of citizenship as it has evolved over time.

Admission Requirements

The M.L.S. program serves motivated and enthusiastic students prepared for and interested in graduate-level study. All applicants must have the following:

A completed online application.
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
Official undergraduate transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and a graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher is preferred.
Two letters of recommendation.
An essay, minimum of 250 words, maximum of two pages double spaced, explaining why the applicant wants to study liberal studies at the master’s level.
A critical analysis essay or previous academic writing sample
Resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
Interview with a member of the admissions committee.
Non-refundable application fee.
If English is not the student’s native language or if the student attended school outside the US, a score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be submitted via the online application. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for admission is 80.
International applicants for admission decision: Translated foreign transcripts and proof of English proficiency. If accepted: documentation required to receive student visa (https://www.smu.edu/EnrollmentServices/international/For-Scholars/New-Scholar-Information)

Note: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required but applicants may submit their scores if they would like them considered with their application.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis for admission to the fall, summer and spring terms. Applications for M.L.S. admission must be completed and submitted online before the beginning of the term. A student must receive official acceptance into the program before enrolling in classes. In some cases, a provisional acceptance may be tendered for one term while awaiting the arrival of an official transcript or when it is deemed appropriate by program director/faculty chair.

Degree Requirements

Thirty-six credit hours of approved graduate study are normally completed within six years after beginning the program.

Students must take two foundational courses: HUMN 6316 (three credits) and a designated three-credit writing-intensive course. These courses may not be waived.
Students must complete their coursework with at least a B (3.000 GPA) average. All courses attempted for credit on a student’s graduate program must average B (3.000) or better, with no grade less than C (2.000) applying toward the degree.
Within the 36 required credits, students may include up to six graduate credits transferred from another accredited institution or another academic department at SMU (explained below).
Within the 36 hours, students may also include up to six hours of independent study (explained below).
Students must conclude their degree program with a capstone course or thesis during the last year of the program.
Students may elect to specialize or concentrate in a particular curricular area through the course of the degree. If a student elects to concentrate or specialize in a specific curricular area, she or he must complete the following requirements:
1. Three credit hours for the required introductory course, HUMN 6316 .
2. Three credit hours for a designated writing-intensive course.
3. Eighteen credit hours of approved courses from the chosen area of concentration, selected in consultation with the director for academic advisement.
4. Three credit hours for the required capstone course/experience.
5. Nine elective credit hours.

Once the student satisfies the requirements for a given concentration, the concentration area will appear on the student’s final transcripts. Double concentrations may be possible upon consultation with the director and/or faculty/program chair.

In addition to a self-designed concentration, the curricular concentrations include the humanities, organizational dynamics, creative writing, human rights and social justice, the arts and cultural traditions, global studies, gender studies, American studies, communication, media and technology, and environmental sustainability.

Required Introductory Coursework (6 Credit Hours)

HUMN 6316 - The Human Experience: An Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies

Graduate Level Research and Writing

Choose one from the following:

MLS Concentrations (18 Credit Hours, Additional for Double Concentrations)

Once the student satisfies the requirements for a given concentration, the concentration area will appear on the student’s final transcripts. Concentrations require eighteen hours in a specific curricular field (printed on transcript upon degree completion). Note: A double concentration is available by taking an additional 3 credit hours pending the courses selected.

Humanities (HUM)
Organizational dynamics (ORG)
Creative writing (CRW)
Human rights and social justice (HRJ)
Arts and cultural traditions (ACT)
Global studies (GLO)
American studies (AMS)
Communication, media and technology (CMT)
Gender studies (GEN)
Environmental sustainability (ENV)
Self-designed

Additional Elective Coursework (6-9 Credit Hours, Per Single or Double Concentration)

Once the student determines the requirements for a given concentration(s) and whether they will pursue a 3-credit capstone or 6-credit-hour thesis, they will supplement course requirements with the necessary number of elective credit hours.

Capstone or Thesis (3 or 6 Credit Hours)

HUMN 6303 - Thesis (6 Credit Hours)
or
HUMN 7311 - Capstone: Liberal Studies (3 Credit Hours)

Transfer Credit

The student must file with the M.L.S. Office a Petition for Transfer Credit, accompanied by a course description and official transcript. Transfer credit is accepted by the dean under the following requirements:

The course is compatible with the overall curriculum of liberal studies.
The course is graduate level (6000 or above or institutional equivalent).
The student has earned a grade of A or B in the course.
The course has not been used in attaining a previous degree.
The course has been taken within the past six years.

Courses taken prior to matriculation must be approved within one year of beginning the M.L.S. program. Transfer credit for study by correspondence or online study is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Independent Study

Students may earn up to six credit hours through independent study in a subject area relevant to the M.L.S. program curriculum. To enroll in an independent study, students must work gain approval from department chair to work with an M.L.S. program faculty member to define specific course requirements and complete an Independent Study Contract subject to the approval of the department chair. Independent study courses may be taken for one, two or three credit hours. The preferred deadline to submit proposals to the M.L.S. Office is at least three weeks before the beginning of the term for which the study is requested.

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