Master of Liberal Studies (MLS)
On-Campus Online
Expand Your Horizons with Interdisciplinary Expertise
In an era defined by rapid change and evolving career landscapes, the Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) offers a dynamic, customizable graduate education designed to equip professionals with both specialized knowledge and versatile skills. Whether you're aiming to advance in your current field, pivot to a new career, or pursue doctoral studies, the MLS program provides the flexibility and depth to meet your goals.
Why Choose FHSU's MLS Program?
- Flexible Online & On-Campus Options – Designed for working professionals and non-traditional students
- Affordable Tuition – Nationally ranked for value and accessibility
- Expert Faculty – Learn from experienced educators and industry professionals committed to your academic and professional success
- Interdisciplinary Approach – Develop a broad skill set that enhances adaptability in a rapidly changing job market
- No GRE Required – Simple application process
MLS Concentrations at Fort Hays State University
- Art History *
- Corporate Communication
- Custom *
- Gerontology
- Global Management *
- Global Studies
- Health Sciences
- Data Analytics *
- Literary Arts
- Management Information Systems
- Philosophy *
- Political Leadership and Public Service
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Spanish
Please note: all degrees are offered online, the degrees with (*) are also offered on-campus.
Who Should Consider the MLS?
The MLS is ideal for:
- Lifelong learners who seek broad, interdisciplinary knowledge beyond a single field
- Mid-career professionals looking to advance or pivot careers
- Global thinkers working in multicultural or international settings
- Those wanting to enhance their career in administration or public service
An MLS degree is especially valuable in roles that require adaptability, critical analysis, communication, and cross-disciplinary knowledge as these traits are increasingly in demand across multiple sectors.
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.
MLS Projects Fair
In the latter part of every Fall and Spring semester, the MLS Program holds a Projects Fair, an online event in which finishing students have a chance to present and discuss their culminating projects with a wider community of MLS students and faculty. Participating students from all concentrations create posters and short presentations, and then they come together to share and discuss these in a supportive, conference-style environment.
You can see examples of posters from past MLS Projects Fairs.
As with any degree program, students often have questions that are both important and common. Below you'll find answers to some of the more questions that prospective students ask about the Master of Liberal Studies at Fort Hays State University. If you have specific questions about the program that are not addressed below, please feel free to contact us.
Many graduate students like the flexibility of the MLS to study in an emerging discipline without a full graduate program. The MLS degree can be used by individuals who want to come back to school to retool or to experiment with a new area of inquiry. Though the MLS does not necessarily certify you for any particular advancement, many of our graduates have successfully used the MLS as an advancement step within their organization or into new careers.
Yes, you should wait for the formal notification that you have been accepted into the MLS program before you register for classes.
Yes, FHSU is a Title IV compliant institution. Contact our Financial Assistance Office for more information.
As with nearly every graduate school program, you'll need to have a 3.0 GPA to graduate. When a department accepts you into its program, there may be other requirements.
In many cases, if the graduate credit is intrinsic to the course of study you are proposing, credit can be applied to your MLS concentration. All graduate work considered for transfer (a) must be no older than six years by the time the student finishes the MLS; (b) must be taken at the graduate level; (c) must have a grade of "C" or better (a student's advisor can set a higher standard); (d) must be offered by a regionally accredited institution; and (e) cannot be part of another post-graduate degree. In addition, most programs limit the number of credit hours that can be transferred into the FHSU degree.