Choosing Coursework
Your MLS program plan must consist of at least 30 credits. Many students choose to take more credits then they need in order to complete research or obtain course content for their final project.
MLS requirements are:
Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry
LS 8001 Open only to students like you who are admitted to the MLS program. It is designed to introduce interdisciplinary studies and to help you begin to think about a final project topic. Students are guided through the University library system to learn how to conduct graduate- level research, use the Internet as a research tool, and use Lumina. The finer points of effective graduate-level interdisciplinary writing and appropriate writing style guides (e.g., APA, MLA, and Chicago) are also explored.
The Introduction seminar should be the first course you take in the program. If you cannot take it as the first course, please contact the MLS office to discuss options.
Liberal Studies Seminars
At least nine credits of Liberal Studies seminars or Firefly seminars (5100 or 5950 ) are required to earn your MLS degree. These innovative seminars offer you a unique opportunity to study in a truly interdisciplinary manner, looking at a topic or topics through several different lenses. Seminars such as these are offered nowhere else within the University; hence, many Liberal Studies students take more than the required number of seminars because they appreciate the participatory quality of class sessions and the occasion to delve into exceptional subject matter.
Electives
Some things to keep in mind as you are choosing your electives:
* Choose carefully. Your Liberal Studies seminars and your electives need to “hang together.” After completing your coursework, you should have a final project that synthesizes most of what you have taken. In addition, keep in mind that the program is only 30 credits in length and 15 of these credits are electives (though some students take more then 30 credits to finish).
* Your electives need to come from two or more disciplines.
* Liberal Studies seminars may be used for a few of your elective credits. In addition, LS 5993, Directed Studies**, LS 8100, Advanced Interdisciplinary Inquiry, LS/IS 5950 FireFly seminars, and up to six credits of online coursework*** may be used as electives (LS 5993 and LS 8100 may not take the place of the nine credits of Liberal Studies seminars that are required).
**Directed Studies: An opportunity to create your own course with the guidance of an instructor. You may take up to six credits of Directed Study as part of your degree program.. You may choose the instructor yourself or have us help you "match up." Refer to the Faculty and Staff Profiles for information on MLS affilaited instructors' interests and expertise. Use LS 5993 as the course number for the Directed Study, and you will need to call the MLS office for a permission number. Before a permission number will be granted for registration, you must file a Directed Study Contract with the MLS office. For more details, refer to the Directed Study Information sheet.
***Please make sure you check with the MLS office regarding any online coursework you plan to take. We will help you determine if the coursework can be used for graduate credit.
Final Project for Graduate Liberal Studies
The Final Project seminar, LS 8002, is designed to help you carry out and finish your final project. It is the last course you take in the MLS program. The seminar includes peer critiques, a structured setting to motivate you, and feedback on your drafts by the seminar instructor, your adviser (s), and (if desired) the MLS writing tutor. For detailed information about how to prepare for LS 8002, refer to The Final Project Web page.
