Graduate Degree

Master of Liberal Studies
(Concentration in Criminal Justice)

The Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) degree is a fully accredited, 31-hr. interdisciplinary graduate program. Criminal Justice is a concentration in this highly successful and flexible program. Based upon market demand, courses are available to students as Virtual College (online) courses.

10-hr. Core Curriculum
(Required)

IDS 801: Introduction to Graduate Liberal Learning (1 hr.)
IDS 802: Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspectives (3 hrs.)
IDS 803: Emerging Knowledge Society: Origins and Implications (3 hrs.)
IDS 804: Information Literacy for Independent Learners (3 hrs.)

18-hr. Elective Curriculum
(Choose any 18 credit hours)

JUS 600: Internship in Justice Studies (1-3) (may take only one)
JUS 605: Workplace Violence
JUS 610: Criminal Justice Organizational Structures
JUS 615: Contemporary Criminological Theory
JUS 670: Independent Study in Justice Studies (1-3) (may take up to two)
JUS 675: Seminar: Justice Leadership Pro-Seminar
JUS 675: Seminar: Situational Ethics
JUS 675: Seminar: Advanced Research Project

Selected Political Science, Information Networking and Telecommunications, Leadership Studies, Psychology, and Sociology courses as approved by the advisor can be utilized as electives.

Capstone Project or Thesis
(3 credit hour required)

During the last semester of study, graduate students are required to complete a research project, individualized project or thesis as a "capstone" to their curriculum. Prior to starting, students are required to meet with their graduate advisor and choose an option. All options will be subject to approval or disapproval as required to meet the academic rigor for graduate study.

(Capstone electives to choose from in consultation with the graduate advisor)

JUS 600: Internship in Justice Studies
JUS 675: Seminar: Advanced Research Project

Comprehensive Examinations
(Required)

During the last semester of study, graduate students are required to complete a comprehensive examination. The examination will not be proctored. It will consist of several questions chosen by a graduate committee entertaining a broad area of the criminal justice system. The student is required to take eight (8) hours to answer the questions (which typically translates into 20-25 written pages).

Entrance Requirements-MLS

1.) Application (and fee)
2.) Personal Statement
3.) Two letters of recommendation
4.) Undergraduate transcripts
5.) 2.5 cumulative GPA for last 60 hrs. of all undergraduate work

For more information, visit www.fhsu.edu/mls or www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege.

Contact Inforamation:

Dr. Robert F. Scott

Chair, Deparment of Justice Studies and Graduate Advisor

Fort Hays State University

600 Park St.

Hays, KS 67601

(785) 628-4425

rfscott@fhsu.edu