Master of Arts in Liberal Studies

1. Submit an online application and $40 application fee.
2. Upload a current resume to your application account.
3. Submit official transcripts to Graduate Studies.
   • Official electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed from the previous institution to Graduate.Studies@usi.edu
   • Mailed transcripts can be sent to this address:
     Graduate Studies
     University of Southern Indiana
     8600 University Blvd.
     Evansville, IN 47712
4. International applicants may be required to submit additional information.

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The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies helps students master practical skills that are broadly applicable. These include: 

• Effective Writing Skills to communicate ideas clearly and professionally.
• Information Literacy to identify the need for information, locate reliable sources, and validate information and evidence applicable to specialized and broad-based topics.
• Data Literacy to understand and communicate information with numbers - that is, the ability to use numbers to tell a story.
• Cultural Literacy to recognize and act upon the impact of different cultural perspectives in a variety of situations or settings.

Students also select 15 to 18 hours of electives from diverse electives to suit their individual career paths.

33 hours minimum required

All students must complete 15-18 hours of required courses:

1. LBST 501 - Information Literacy and Research - Learn to know when information is needed, being able to find relevant information, evaluate it for credibility, and use it responsibly.
2. LBST 512 - Advanced Academic Writing: Learn the fundamentals of effective writing at advanced levels to express complex ideas that increase an audience’s knowledge and understanding.
3. LBST 521 - Cultural Literacy - Learn to recognize and interpret elements that are important to one’s own and other cultures and communicate information that reflects understanding of multiple cultures.
4. LBST 522 - Data Literacy - Learn to understanding the story told by numbers and being able to use numbers to tell a story.
5. Choose from one Capstone experience:
   

1. Thesis or Project Capstone - Independent study completed under the direction of a qualified faculty member. Final thesis or project reflects mastery of graduate-level skills and comprehension that reflect the program goals.
2. Portfolio Capstone - May be completed as independent study; students select materials for portfolio that demonstrate mastery in the program goals, write a reflective essay that synthesizes learning in the degree, and have an oral defense of their portfolio before a faculty committee.  
   
   

Students will also complete 15–18 hours of electives; these can be selected from graduate courses in LBST or other USI graduate programs.

MISSION:
To promote advanced student ability to

• use various research methods to generate and analyze evidence or data
• locate, understand, analyze and draw conclusions from evidence
• identify and communicate effectively with multiple or specialized audiences
• understand the role of diverse cultural perspectives in historical or contemporary issues
• develop and apply knowledge and skills across disciplinary boundaries

Vision:
To equip students to be self-sufficient learners who can reason effectively in a rapidly-changing and complex world.

Students can complete the MALS entirely online using the Blackboard Course Management system; to most effectively engage with classes, students will need access to a computer with up-to-date software and reliable high speed internet. Courses are offered in a combination of 7-week and 16-week formats.