Concentration in Social Sciences

          "I wish I could find a program that I could complete during my free time."                    "I want a graduate education that I can readily apply to my workplace."                    "I want to enjoy my next degree and not feel pressured to compete with other students."                    "I don't have time to come to campus every week for classes, so my classes have to be designed for the distance learner."     

Program Description

A strong educational foundation in the social sciences may be one of the most important elements of being a good citizen in our quick paced wired world. The ability to understand the world by looking at it through the eyes of a sociologist, psychologist, historian, or even as an economist provides an ample basis from which many sound decisions can be made. The MLS concentration in Social Sciences is primarily focused on providing a person with a broader basis from which to view the world. While this concentration was originally established for social science educators, many other interested students have found that they seek a broader orientation than is traditionally available through a traditional graduate degree program. Given the broad nature of the program, the goal is to expand student understanding on a wide variety of issues, as opposed to just building a silo of knowledge. Some may view it as an advanced form of general education. As our world changes and evolves more quickly, such a orientation may be the best form of education a professional could acquire.

Program Curriculum

The Master of Liberal Studies allows the student to customize their program of study according to individual needs and areas of interest. The student seeking a MLS with an emphasis in the area of social science develops a specific 18 credit hour plan with the approval of their advisor. A required 3 hour culminating course can be taken as a research paper or project, the development of an original creative work, an internship, or other special project. Listed below are some possible areas of study under social science, but this list is not exhaustive and the goal is to remain as flexible as possible.

• Psychology (Readings)
• Sociology (Comparative Societies; Independent Studies; Readings)
• History (Workshop; Problems)
• Political Science (The Administrative Process; History of Political Thought)
• Justice Studies (Organizational Structures; Historical Trends in Leadership; Critical Issues)
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Education
• Communication
• Related social science based econmics, business, and management classes

Topics or readings courses to allow for creative activities of the students initiative to be utilized as educational experiences.

Students completing their MLS program in this concentration would have the following notation on their transcripts: "Liberal Studies (Social Sciences)"

Program Contact

Contact Dr. Art Morin now at (785) 628-5578 for more information. Once you have been admitted to this concentration, please follow the MLS Checklist and carefully read The MLS Student Handbook.

 

For more information, contact: Art Morin, Director of the Master of Liberal Studies Program Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Davis Hall 206 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS 67601 (785) 628-5950

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