Master of Liberal Studies (Custom)
Hours: 30 On-Campus Online
About
The Master of Liberal Studies (Custom) program at Fort Hays State University offers a highly flexible and customizable curriculum to meet various academic and professional goals. Drawing from multiple disciplines, the program allows students to design an individualized course of study that reflects their interests and career aspirations.
Students have the flexibility to shape their concentration by selecting a combination of coursework across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and professional studies. It is well-suited for individuals seeking personal enrichment, career advancement, or the opportunity to combine diverse areas of interest into a cohesive graduate experience.
Faculty from diverse academic backgrounds offer guidance and mentorship, enabling students to engage in a dynamic learning process that promotes intellectual growth and practical application.
Why pursue a Master of Liberal Studies (Custom) at Fort Hays State University?
Pursuing the Master of Liberal Studies (Custom) enables students to design a graduate degree that aligns directly with their goals and interests. The program empowers students to shape their graduate experience through a flexible curriculum spanning multiple disciplines. This individualized approach fosters purposeful study and meaningful academic exploration, equipping graduates with the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today’s complex professional landscape.
FHSU enhances this experience by providing access to dedicated faculty mentors, affordable tuition, and the convenience of both online and on-campus study options. By blending academic rigor with personalized learning, the program fosters intellectual growth, adaptability, and professional relevance.
Who is this program for?
This program is designed for students who seek flexibility, value interdisciplinary learning, and wish to shape their academic journey. It is particularly well-suited for individuals balancing work, family, or other commitments while pursuing graduate study. Rather than specializing in a single field, students are encouraged to design a personalized program that reflects their unique interests and professional goals.
- Adult learners returning to school
- Career changers
- Interdisciplinary thinkers
- Lifelong learners
- Mid-career employees seeking advancement
- Military and veteran students
- Online or remote learners
- Students with broad academic interests
- Teachers and educators
- Working professionals
Real-World Applications
The graduate program equips students to apply their education beyond the classroom by emphasizing practical, real-world relevance. Each student designs a concentration that aligns directly with their career goals or professional responsibilities.
Workshops, service-learning, and collaborative research are integral components of the curriculum, providing opportunities to translate theory into practice. These experiences help students develop critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving skills for addressing complex workplace challenges. Through their culminating project, students present solutions to real-world issues they encounter in their professional roles, ensuring their graduate studies have an immediate and meaningful impact.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Fort Hays State University ensures the curriculum remains both current and forward-looking. It continuously integrates emerging technologies, evolving social trends, and interdisciplinary theories. Faculty incorporate advancements in AI, digital media, research methodologies, and data literacy, ensuring that students gain proficiency with modern tools and contemporary modes of thinking.
Students engage with new perspectives across disciplines, applying frameworks that deepen their understanding of today’s societal, business, and government challenges. Learners collaborate with instructors who actively use the latest developments in their fields.
Hands-on Activities
The curriculum integrates hands-on learning as a core component, ensuring that academic theory is applied in practical settings. Students participate in internships, conference presentations, and research projects that bring their studies to life. Depending on their course selections, students may also participate in field experiences, service-learning projects, and applied workshops.
Instructors actively encourage participation in experiential activities that mirror real-world job responsibilities or address community needs. For instance, students concentrating in health sciences have collaborated with healthcare organizations, while others have conducted social research or led community engagement initiatives.
What You’ll Learn:
- Build strong critical thinking skills
- Construct research-based academic arguments
- Develop effective communication strategies
- Engage with diverse academic disciplines
- Integrate interdisciplinary knowledge
- Think independently and analytically
How You’ll Learn:
- Collaborate across disciplines
- Complete a research project or thesis
- Customize courses to fit career goals
- Participate in workshops or applied learning
- Flexible study options, online or on campus
- Work closely with experienced faculty advisors
The Master of Liberal Studies (Custom) includes a 10-credit-hour core that provides a foundation in interdisciplinary thinking, research design, and liberal studies theory. These courses equip students with the skills to analyze complex issues across disciplines, engage in scholarly inquiry, and communicate effectively in both professional and academic contexts.
Upon completing the core curriculum, students design a personalized program of study by selecting courses from any approved graduate concentration or academic department. This flexibility allows students to tailor their curriculum to their interests, whether in social sciences, communication, health, education, or leadership.
IDS 801: Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies
The course provides a multidisciplinary introduction to information-seeking, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. It is designed to foster intellectual growth and enhance professional readiness in a world where integrated knowledge is valuable.
IDS 802: Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective
This course provides a comparative and critical examination of the nature, types, value, and limitations of human knowledge. It allocates roughly equal focus to three areas: (A) the sciences, (B) the arts and humanities, and (C) selected special topics such as mathematical knowledge, epistemic relativism, moral knowledge, religious knowledge, and the role of the pursuit of knowledge in leading a well-rounded human life.
IDS 804: Information Literacy
This course develops information literacy skills essential for graduate-level learning. It emphasizes understanding the need for information, identifying and locating relevant resources, and applying networking and technical skills to access them. Students also learn to evaluate information critically, becoming more discerning consumers of scholarly research, applied studies, and contemporary information technologies.
Discover the full Master of Liberal Studies (Custom) course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
Graduates are equipped for diverse careers in both the public and private sectors. Those who complete this flexible, interdisciplinary program often pursue leadership roles, policy and research positions, careers in education, and other opportunities that demand advanced critical thinking and strong communication skills. Career paths are influenced by the individualized concentration each student selects.
Program Manager
Program managers apply their interdisciplinary training to lead programs in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private companies. They coordinate staff, manage budgets and timelines, and oversee reporting to ensure projects run efficiently. Their skills enable them to adapt to diverse teams while balancing strategic and operational demands.
Policy Analyst
Program analysts research and evaluate outcomes to inform policy decisions in think tanks, NGOs, and government agencies. They analyze complex issues and provide evidence-based recommendations for education, healthcare, and environmental policy. The analytical and communication skills developed through the program are essential for success in these roles.
College Instructor
Instructors draw on the interdisciplinary training of the MLS degree to teach at community colleges or in adult education programs. They develop syllabi, design curricula, and deliver courses in humanities, communication, or general education. Their broad expertise enables them to engage effectively with students across a wide range of diverse academic interests.
Communications Director
Communications directors oversee internal and external communications within corporate, nonprofit, or public organizations. They manage marketing campaigns, develop messaging strategies, and handle media relations. Their strong critical thinking and communication skills position them for leadership roles in communication-focused environments.
Research Coordinator
Research coordinators manage data collection, oversee study protocols, and analyze results in healthcare, education, and social service settings. Drawing on the rigorous research training provided by the MLS curriculum, they collaborate with professionals across disciplines to produce meaningful findings and reports that inform practice and policy.
Admission to the Master of Liberal Studies (Custom) program at Fort Hays State University requires thorough preparation and a well-defined academic plan. The following outlines the specific requirements and procedures for consideration:
Academic Background
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study. Additionally, they must have completed at least 12 credit hours in disciplines relevant to their intended concentration.
Preliminary Course of Study Proposal
Applicants are required to submit a personal statement that includes a Preliminary Course of Study Proposal. This document should outline the rationale for selecting specific courses, explain the academic or professional goals that guide those choices, and demonstrate how the program will support the achievement of these objectives. The statement should reflect thoughtful planning, critical thinking, and a coherent approach to the proposed course of study.
Coordinator Consultation
Applicants must consult with the Master of Liberal Studies (Custom) Coordinator while preparing their course of study proposal. The faculty member must approve the final plan before admission is granted. Advisors may recommend revisions or alternative courses to ensure the academic quality and coherence of the program.
Official Transcripts
All applicants must provide official transcripts from their undergraduate institution(s) that verify the completion of their degree and the required GPA.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation that attest to their academic potential and professional abilities. One letter should be from a former professor or academic advisor, while the second should come from an experienced mentor or individual who can speak to the applicant’s leadership skills and work ethic.
The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere
Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $2,559.42* (on-campus) or $3,139.02* (online) per semester.
*Estimated cost based on 9 credit hours at the Graduate resident/regional tuition rate ($284.38/credit hour) for on-campus courses, or the FHSU Online Graduate tuition rate (348.78/credit hour) for online courses. Actual price may vary depending on course load and location. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year.
Get Started Today
Ready to advance your career and broaden your intellectual horizons? Discover how FHSU's Master of Liberal Studies program can help you achieve your goals.
Related Programs
Fort Hays State University offers a variety of graduate programs and certificates that complement or relate to the Master of Liberal Studies Custom). Students interested in interdisciplinary studies or seeking to broaden their professional qualifications may also consider:
- Master of Liberal Studies (Global Studies)
- Master of Liberal Studies (Global Management)
- Master of Liberal Studies (Public Administration)
- Master of Business Administration (General)
- Certificate in Leadership Studies
Yes. The Master of Liberal Studies Custom) allows you to design a concentration that fits your personal and professional goals by selecting graduate courses from different fields.
Yes. You can complete the entire program online or take classes on campus, depending on your preference.
Students must complete a thesis, applied project, or capstone experience. It allows for the integration and application of the subjects studied.
Applicants are not required to have a specific background; however, they must have completed 12 undergraduate credit hours related to their proposed concentration.
Most students complete their studies in 2–3 years, depending on their individual schedule and course load. Both full-time and part-time options are available.
- Master's
- On-Campus
- Online
