Courses Offered

          "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."     

The MLS is comprised of 10 credit hours of core courses. In addition, the student takes a 3 credit hour culminating experience. Every one of these classes are available every semester. Please check the course schedule, accessible through FHSU's website, to see how many sections of each course are offered in a particular semester, and whether a section has a full enrollment.

IDS 801 Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies (1 credit hour) IDS 801 generic syllabus (specific course material and assignments subject to change)

An orientation to the MLS as an opportunity to enhance the critical thinking, analytical and writing skills valued in today's world and workplace. The purpose of the course is to help the student become acquainted with the concept of interdisciplinary liberal education and understand its potential in fostering intellectual growth, personal satisfaction, and the ability to enhance employability in a world where knowledge has become the key resource. Click here for more information.

IDS 802 Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective (3 credit hours) IDS 802 generic syllabus (specific course material and assignments subject to change)

This course compares various thought-systems (such as science, theology, art, ethics, etc.) or "ways of knowing" with each other and explores ethical, moral and logical dilemmas posed by their application. The purpose of the course is to provide a broad introduction to systems of knowledge-creation in humanities, natural sciences, and social and behavioral sciences, and to provide an pportunity to explore the origins and implications of each approach. Click here for more information.

IDS 803 Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society (3 credit hours) IDS 803 generic syllabus (specific course material and assignments subject to change)

This course is an introduction to the historical beginnings and potential impact of the knowledge-value revolution. The purpose of this course is to help the student understand how new "ways of knowing" and knowledge itself serve as the catalysts for future social, political and economic challenges and opportunities. Click here to see a sample syllabus for this course. Click here for more information.

IDS 804 Information Literacy (3 credit hours) IDS 804 generic syllabus (specific course material and assignments subject to change)

This course is designed to help the student recognize the need for information, identify what is needed, locate it using various information networking technologies and infrastructures (e.g., world wide web, Academic Index), evaluate it, organize it, and apply it in productive ways. The purpose of this course is to develop within the graduate-level student the ability to conduct independent research and learning utilizing the best information resources available. Click here for more information.

IDS 810: Readings in Liberal Studies

Directed readings on a specific topic in liberal studies. Requires permission of the instructor and graduate standing. May take up to 6 hours with permission.

IDS 820 Projects in Liberal Studies

This class is an applied and technique oriented offering in which students engage in qualitative and/or quantitative research projects, or other experience of significant academic value. This course is designed to fulfill the culminating experience requirements of the Master of Liberal Studies degree.

IDS 880: Seminar in Liberal Studies

This course will provide an in-depth study of a particular topic in interdisciplinary studies at the graduate level. The course title and topic of study will be displayed in the class schedule. Requires instructor permission and graduate standing.

IDS 890: Internship in Liberal Studies

The internship is designed to be the final practical culminating project for a student in the Masters of Liberal Studies degree program. Taken in the final semester or two, the purpose of the internship is two-fold:

• To integrate the knowledge learned in the core courses as well as the concentration, and
• To give the student practical experience in change in a real world environment.

The successful MLS intern should have a broader understanding of the quickly evolving world and a greater understanding of the discipline they studied as a concentration. In fact, this requirement, above most others, is critical. The successful MLS intern will act as a graduate candidate not just a graduate student.

The internship is only one of the possible options for the MLS candidate. MLS graduate students may also complete a traditional research paper or thesis, depending on their interests, in collaboration with a graduate advisor. It is anticipated that advisors will allow for customized internships given the flexible and customizable nature of the program, but some MLS students may be best served by a more traditional approach. More information.

IDS 899: Thesis

For those who would like to write a thesis for their culminating experience. Must be the last course taken in the student's program of study.

To enroll online in any of the Virtual College classes (classes with CA, CB, or CC sections), visit the Virtual College Enrollment section. Once you have been admitted to the MLS program, please follow the MLS Checklist and carefully read The MLS Student Handbook.