Liberal Studies (M.S.)

The Master of Science degree in Liberal Studies offers students an opportunity for intellectual growth and career enhancement through innovative, student-centered interdisciplinary study. It is a flexible alternative to a disciplinary degree that provides students opportunities to design curricula that will be of direct benefit to them in their chosen career. The program is designed to allow students from a variety of academic backgrounds to explore a broad range of subjects. While the program’s content will differ for each student, it will serve to broaden the individual’s perspective and enhance their ability to think critically, clearly, and analytically. All students must choose one of three areas of study: Humanities (includes courses in English, history, humanities, and philosophy), Natural Sciences and Mathematics (includes courses in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and physics), and Social Sciences (includes courses in anthropology, economics, and sociology). The Master of Science degree in Liberal Studies is a fully accredited graduate degree program approved by the New York State Education Department. The program can be used for New York State-certified teachers with initial certification to achieve professional certification. Students may enroll full-time or part-time, spring, summer, and fall. For more information about this program, contact John Rowe, executive director of graduate admissions, at (315) 792-3010, or by e-mail at gradadmissions@utica.edu.

Student Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

• complete a research topic using the principles of the scientific method.
• Complete a research topic incorporating more than one academic discipline.
• Think critically about a social issue using perspectives derived from more than one academic discipline.
• Analyze a topic using an interdisciplinary approach.
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally by completing a master’s thesis and defending it effectively.