Liberal Studies - L.S.M. Download to print

Unlike most graduate programs that emphasize specialization, the Master of Liberal Studies (L.S.M.) encourages a broad educational perspective and interdisciplinary study. It allows students to take courses from several different departments.
 

Official transcript(s), goal statement and three letters of recommendation. Please refer to the University policy for graduate admissions.
 

The degree consists of 33 hours of coursework. Two credit hours are dedicated to AS 61000, an online course that introduces students to interdisciplinary study. Three credit hours are reserved for an interdisciplinary essay course (AS 61098) which students take near the end of the program. One credit hour is committed  to AS 61001 Liberal Studies Research Paper, which is taken in conjunction with AS 61000 if students feel a need to develop their research paper skills. In the remaining 27 hours, students take 12 to 15 hours in a single discipline and 12 to 15 hours divided among two or more related areas. Courses may be taken in any college or school in the university.

All students are required to take AS 61000–Introduction to Liberal Studies and AS 61001–Liberal Studies Research Paper within the first year. Students will take AS 61098–Liberal Studies Essay near the end of their program in which they write an interdisciplinary essay. Except for these, no other specific courses are required for the L.S.M. program. Candidates for the L.S.M. degree must complete the minimum 33 semester hours of graduate work, 15 hours (which will include AS 61000, 61001 and 61098) must be at the 60000–level or higher. It should be understood that some available graduate courses may require prerequisites.

Students will complete a program of study document in which they will develop a theme (title) and choose coursework in the major and minor areas. In developing programs of study, Liberal Studies students must adhere to several fundamental principles:
 

• The program of study must be integrated,
• Since the L.S.M. degree  focuses on the values of liberal arts education, the program of study must include at least 12 hours of coursework in the College of Arts and Sciences,
• The program of study must emphasize interdisciplinary perspectives to learning.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Develop a Tentative Course List that will let students see how specifically they can work toward their goals through KSU graduate classes.

2. Bring together the different fields in which they have been working in a final Liberal Studies Essay that draws on those different fields.

3. Pursue the knowledge they entered the program to acquire.