Master of Liberal Studies
Information Assurance
Fort Hays State University
Academic Year 2007-2008, 2008-2009

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is pleased to offer a concentration in the Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) with a concentration in Information Assurance.  This concentration includes developing a mastery of information practices, network security software, hardware applications, and of operating systems.   The Information Assurance Concentration is offered through the Department of Information Networking and Telecommunications.  All required courses are offered through distance learning and do not require campus visits.

The Masters of Liberal Studies is a 31-hour interdisciplinary graduate program that is offered on-campus and on-line.  It consists of a 10-hour core, an 18-hour customized plan of study and a 3-hour culminating project.   

Core Masters of Liberal Studies Courses:

The Masters of Liberal Studies core is built around the theme "Ways of Knowing:  A Foundation for Understanding and Exploring the Emerging Knowledge Society."  This theme is explored in the following on-line courses:

IDS 801	Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies (1 hour)(Spring, Summer, Fall)
IDS 802	Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective (3 hours)(Spring, Summer, Fall)
IDS 803	Emerging Knowledge Society (3 hours)(Spring, Summer, Fall)
IDS 804	Information Literacy (3 hours)(Spring, Summer, Fall)

Information Assurance Courses:

               Undergraduate Leveling

The Information Assurance Concentration assumes a fundamental expertise in network design and implementation.  Students who do not have this expertise may develop it by taking non-graduate leveling courses  in Internetworking. 

Internetworking I, II, & III courses are the courses providing preparation for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification exam

               Information Assurance Core:

INT 684	Foundations of Information Systems Security
INT 685	Fundamentals of Network Security
INT 686	Network Security Firewalls
INT 876	Professional Topics in INT/Capstone in Network Security (Culminating Project)

A student will need a minimum of three additional electives.  These may be taken on-line or on campus.

Information Assurance Electives:

INT 654	Introduction to Web-Enabled Databases: Oracle (Fall)
INT 658	Law of Cyber Space (Fall – campus, Spring – on-line)
INT 662	Modern Telephony
INT 671	Linux For Networks (Spring)
INT 672	Advanced Linux for Networks (Fall)
INT 678	Seminar in INT/Unix Administration

Cisco Certified Network Professional Courses:

INT 695	Advanced Routing (Fall)**
INT 696	Securing Converged LANS (Spring)**
INT 697	Advanced LAN Switching (Fall)**
INT 698	Optimizing Converged Networks (Spring)**

** ** Advanced Routing, Securing Converged LANS, Advanced LAN Switching, and Optimizing Converged Networks are the courses providing preparation for the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) exam.  These are laboratory intensive course.  Students are allowed to take these through distance learning only if they meet one or more of the following requirements: 1) have taken the CATC on-site trainings for these courses, 2) have access to a CCNP lab; or 3) are willing to travel to campus to complete labs taking 2-3 days each semester

The number of on-line course offerings will grow to fit industry and student needs.  Each of these courses listed is offered fully on-line and does not require a physical presence on-campus.  Most of the course activities are completed when the student chooses to study and work on academic projects.  Each of the courses will have specific deadlines for projects, labs, tests and other activities.  Students taking on-line courses will benefit substantially from having high-speed Internet access such as: DSL, Cable, or Ethernet. Additional offerings are available on-campus.

For more information on the INT Department visit the following web site: http://www.fhsu.edu/int/. For questions about course offerings, contact the Fort Hays State University Department of Information Networking and Telecommunications. For information about admission procedures or administration, contact the Director, Master of Liberal Studies Program.

Dr. Mark Bannister – markbannister@fhsu.edu
Department of Information Networking and Telecommunications
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas 67601-4099
Telephone (785) 628-5373, Web site for INT: http://www.fhsu.edu/int

For more information regarding the MLS program, please contact:

Dr. Art Morin, Director, Master of Liberal Studies – amorin@fhsu.edu
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Davis Hall 206
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas 67601-4099
Telephone (785) 628-5950, Web site for MLS:  http://www.fhsu.edu/mls