Degree Requirements (34 cr.)

• Required Core (13 cr.)
• Electives (12-18 cr.)
• Capstone Experience (3-9 cr.)
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
• All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.

Required Core

• LBST-D 510 Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies (4 cr.)
• LBST-D 501 Humanities Seminar
• LBST-D 502 Social Sciences Seminar
• LBST-D 503 Science Seminar

Electives

Credits from an approved graduate certificate (including those created for dual credit teachers, such as Communication Studies, English Language and Literature, and Mathematics) will apply to this requirement. While most certificates are 18 hours, some may be up to 24 hours.

Capstone Experience Options

1.  Traditional Thesis. Original research or analysis encompassing literature from at least 2 different disciplinary perspectives. The thesis must be written in scholarly format, with the appropriate citation format and extensive references. The literature review developed for the thesis proposal should serve as the initial component of the thesis. Typical thesis length: 50 or more pages.
2. Creative Project. Students who are focusing their MLS program on a creative field may complete a creative project for their MLS thesis. Creative work may include writing, art, performance, etc. The creative work must be accompanied by an explanatory essay encompassing material from at least 2 different disciplinary perspectives. The essay must be written in scholarly format, with appropriate citation format and appropriate references. The literature review developed for the thesis proposal may serve as the basis of the explanatory essay. Typical length of explanatory essay: 20 to 35 pages.
3. Peer-Reviewed Publication. Students may focus their thesis project work toward a peer-reviewed publication in a professional forum. Examples include articles in professional journals, investigative journalism published in a major newspaper, or a book published by a reputable press. The publication must be accompanied by an explanatory essay encompassing material from at least 2 different disciplinary perspectives. The essay must be written in scholarly format, with appropriate citation format and appropriate references. The literature review developed for the thesis proposal may serve as the basis of the explanatory essay. Typical length of explanatory essay: 20 to 35 pages.
4. Applied Project. Students may focus their research project on their current place of employment, internship, or practicum. The applied project should be designed to benefit both the student and the employer and can be focused narrowly on a specific issue or problem relevant to the employer. Complete literature review and effectively designed method will support the value of the project. Typical length: 50 or more pages.
5. Public Intellectual Capstone Course. 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 MLS degree. This option is fulfilled during the course LBST-D 600 Public Intellectual Practicum.