Master of Liberal Studies Program

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I enroll in this program part-time?
        Yes, most of our students are pursuing the LSM degree on a part-time basis.

How long would it take to complete the program?
        Students pursuing the degree full time can do it in 1-2 years.
        Students pursuing the degree part-time have a time-to-completion average of 3 years.

What are the entry requirements for students wishing to be admitted to the LSM degree program?

    For standard admission, a GPA of 3.0 is required.  Conditional admission is occasionally permitted based on the student's application file and a GPA that falls between 3.0 and 2.75.  There is no GRE requirement.

What are the application deadlines for each semester?

   Your application file must reach completion six weeks before the start of the semester in which you wish to begin the program in order to receive adequate consideration.  The program can be started in Fall, Spring, or Summer I semesters.  

Is this a new program?

        No, the LSM at Kent was initiated in 1985.  It is one of 6 LSM Programs in Ohio, but it is unique in that students can combine coursework from different departments and different colleges within the university, not just within Arts & Sciences.  There are 50 students currently enrolled and 98 alumni.  Other LSM programs in Ohio exist at Wright State, Ursuline College, University of Findlay, Hiram College, and the University of Toledo.  There are 120 Liberal Studies Programs in the United States and Canada.  Information about the concept of Liberal Studies graduate programs and links to each of the programs in the U.S.A. and Canada can be found at the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP) on their web site at www.aglsp.org.

Do I have to write a thesis?
        No, this is a non-thesis Master's program.  You do have to write an Essay, approximately 50 pages long, as the capstone course to your program.  The essay will be written with advisement from your advisor and a reader and should draw on a theme you have chosen from your interdisciplinary coursework and your own special interest. 

What is the difference between a Master's Thesis and a Master's Essay?

     A Thesis is a written document of original research that follows a particular university defined format, is graded for six credit hours,  defended, placed in the library, and available on microfiche or electronically.  An Essay is a written document that may be original research but alternatively may take another form, follows a particular university defined format, is graded for 3 credit hours, is defended, and is archived in a college office.  The Essay may be in the form of a standard thesis, or in the form of a handbook, a play, or a novella, depending on your program of study. 

I want to combine courses that are listed in different Colleges of the University.  Can I do this?
        Yes, in this program you can do this.  The structure of the program is as follows:

A minimum total of 32 credit hours (semester hours) must be completed for the Master of Liberal Studies degree, of which

12-15 will be in one concentration

12 must come from the College of Arts & Sciences

a minimum of 16 must be at the 60,000 level or higher

The Introduction to Liberal Studies (2 credits) and the Liberal Studies Essay (3 credits) are mandatory courses.  The Introduction to Liberal Studies is offered in Fall and Summer I semesters, and the Liberal Studies Essay is offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer I semesters.

NOTE:  Your plan must be integrated (you need to explain why your choice of courses hangs together as an interconnected program).  Many people combine coursework from the College of Education, the College of Fine and Professional Arts, and the Business College with that from the College of Arts and Sciences.

How will I find an advisor?

        This step is part of  the Introduction to Liberal Studies (A&S 61000) course which you must take within the first year of your enrollment in the LSM Program.   Additionally, the Director can help you link to an advisor.

Are there any scholarships available from the LSM program?

        No, at this time there are no scholarships available from this program, although the University does offer a variety of scholarships.  These are listed on the KSU homepage.

What do people DO with this degree?

      The LSM is a tailor-made degree, so each person has a different goal in mind for using the degree.  Some continue on to law school or doctoral programs, some are in mid-career and use the degree to facilitate a shift in their career focus, some are high school teachers and take this interdisciplinary training back to the classroom, and some are newly retired and are at last pursuing long-held interests.  What will you do with this degree?