LIBSTD-MLS - Liberal Studies
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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 some of the complex challenges of the 21st century.
Thirty-six credit hours of approved graduate study are normally completed within six years after beginning the program.
1. Students must take two foundational courses: HCIS 6315 (three credits) and a designated three-credit writing-intensive course. These courses may not be waived.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. Within the 36 hours, students may also include up to six hours of independent study (explained below).
5. Students must conclude their degree program with a capstone course or thesis during the last year of the program.
6. 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:
a. Three credit hours for the required introductory course, HCIS 6315.
b. Three credit hours for a designated writing-intensive course.
c. Eighteen credit hours of approved courses from the chosen area of concentration, selected in consultation with the director for academic advisement.
d. Three credit hours for the required capstone course/experience.
e. 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.
- 0242961
Writing intensive courses span humanities, organizations, arts and human rights topics such as the following:
- 0249921
- 0260841
- 0258491
- 0242891
- 0267281
- 0261691
- 0264241
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. The MLS program’s main concentrations follow.
• Humanities (HUM)
• Organizational dynamics (ORG)
• Self-designed
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.
- 0228941
OR 0089041
Note: HCIS 6316 requires 6 credit hours of enrollment
HCIS 6317 requires 3 credit hours of enrollment
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.