1610 Asp Avenue
|
  Print-friendly version of this chapter |
|---|
James P. Pappas, Ph.D., Dean
Trent Gabert, Ph.D., Associate Dean
Sandra M. Gannon, Assistant to the Associate Dean
Julie Raadschelders, Ph.D., Coordinator, Master’s Program
Russell Tresner, M.A.S., Master’s Program Assistant Coordinator and Military
Coordinator
Frank Rodriquez, M.L.S., Coordinator, Bachelor’s Program
Mary Aldridge, M.P.A., Senior Academic Adviser, Bachelor’s Program
Robert J. Dougherty, M.L.S., Coordinator, Departmental Computing Systems
James Morrison, M.L.S., Coordinator, Curriculum Development
Aaron Jones, M.A.I.S., Coordinator, Prospective Student Services
Kelly Collyar, M.H.R., Senior Recruitment Specialist, Prospective Student
Services
A.F. Al-Assaf, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor, Health Administration
R.C. Davis-Undiano, Ph.D., Professor, English
John Duncan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Liberal Studies
Aimee Franklin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Political Science
Irene Karpiak, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy
Studies
Michael Mares, Ph.D., Professor, Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
James Martin, Ph.D., Professor, Zarrow Center for Learning Enrichment
David Nagle, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Botany and Microbiology
Mitchell Peck, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Sociology
Michael Richman, Ph.D., Professor, Meteorology
Shad Satterthwaite, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, Political Science
Mary Jo Watson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Art
Valerie Watts, Ph.D., Professor, Music
Assistant Professors Adams, Duncan, Ketchum, Livesey.
The mission of the College of Liberal Studies (CLS) is to provide the highest quality interdisciplinary education to non-traditional students. The College utilizes its setting within a comprehensive research university to enhance students’ skills as lifelong learners, thereby enriching their lives at the personal and professional levels and encouraging them to participate in the work of active citizenship. Academic degrees and other programs of the College share the common goal of focusing on the study of issues and the examination of ideas from multiple, interrelated perspectives.
The bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by the College of Liberal Studies maintain interdisciplinary perspectives and flexible innovative approaches to content and procedures. While developed for adult and non-traditional students, many of the seminars, colloquia, and conferences offered by the College also serve students enrolled in conventional academic programs, as well as the general public.
During its first fifty years, the College of Liberal Studies has gained national and international recognition as a leader in the nontraditional degree movement and in continuing, liberal arts education. Established in 1960, the College was created by University of Oklahoma faculty members committed to providing high-quality, degree-granting programs that recognize and accommodate the unique needs of adult and nontraditional learners. Today, CLS provides educational opportunities for more than 1500 students worldwide through its online, on-site and independent study degree programs.
The College of Liberal Studies utilizes a combination of its own departmental faculty, faculty from other University of Oklahoma colleges, and adjunct instructors to teach, advise, and mentor CLS students. Faculty and instructors are invited to participate in Liberal Studies programs on the basis of their professionalism and commitment to the interdisciplinary, liberal learning goals of the College.
Leadership for the College of Liberal Studies is vested in the Dean and an Executive Committee consisting of 13 elected faculty members and two student members. The committee helps the College fulfill its mission by serving in an advisory capacity on matters of program development, operation, and review.
Students enrolled in the College of Liberal Studies are subject to the University of Oklahoma’s general policies, scholastic regulations, and standards as outlined in the University’s General Catalog. Since the University’s policies and procedures are often intended for more conventional academic programs, some may require interpretative flexibility in light of the nontraditional nature of the College of Liberal Studies. Questions concerning policies or procedures should be directed to the College office.
Students and faculty of the College of Liberal Studies participate in recognition and award programs of the University of Oklahoma and the College. The awards are supported through gifts to the University of Oklahoma Foundation.
Each fall semester, a bachelor’s student is recognized as the outstanding senior in the OU Dad’s Association award program. During the spring semester, an outstanding bachelor’s graduate receives the Jesse E. Burkett Award named for an early College administrator. Likewise, the MA Academic Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding master’s graduate for exemplary achievement. The George Henderson Leadership Award is also awarded each spring, recognizing a bachelor’s student who has displayed outstanding leadership ability in the College’s undergraduate Administrative Leadership program.
Faculty awards include the Kenneth E. Crook Award and the Rufus G. Hall Faculty Achievement Award, both named in honor of faculty founders of the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Faculty awardees are selected for their teaching excellence and meritorious service to the College.
The College of Liberal Studies provides several scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students through Alumni contributions to the University of Oklahoma Foundation and from the Bernard Osher Foundation. The College offers Start-Up Scholarships each semester for new students entering the bachelor’s and master’s programs. Alumni Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who have completed at least one semester of CLS coursework. Osher Scholarships provide funding for undergraduate students returning to college after an extended absence. Criteria and procedures related to CLS scholarships are available on the College’s website or by contacting the College directly.
The College of Liberal Studies offers two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Courses for these two degrees are available online (electronic delivery), on-site, and through independent study.
CLS undergraduate degrees are built upon the concept of interdisciplinary studies, a broad-based approach to academic studies distinctly different from the narrower “disciplinary” approaches offered in more traditional degree programs. Rather than specializing in one particular discipline, CLS students acquire broad general knowledge in a variety of disciplines. Students are also allowed to focus in one particular area of concentration, gaining deeper knowledge and academic skills, culminating in a scholarly and focused study-in-depth.
Goals of the Undergraduate Program
Undergraduate students gain greater self-awareness and a realization of their potential through CLS curriculum, which is designed to help students achieve:
1. A greater ability for self-directed learning;
2. An improved ability in oral and written communication;
3. Knowledge of one’s own and other cultures;
4. An historical view of human cultural development-social, intellectual, scientific, artistic and philosophical;
5. Better understanding of the contemporary problems of humanity and of the probable directions and effect of change;
6. Increased understanding of major literary, scientific, and artistic works;
7. An ability to read, interpret, and evaluate the works of scholars and to utilize the methods of inquiry within the broad areas of humanities, natural sciences and social sciences;
8. Understanding of the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences in sufficient depth and breadth to enable one to perceive relationships among these broad areas of knowledge.
This interdisciplinary undergraduate degree option was introduced in 1960 and was the first of its kind in the United States. Students are provided a solid foundation in the liberal arts, as well as the opportunity to develop an area of concentration in Administrative Leadership, Humanities, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences. The degree program can be completed online (electronic delivery), on-site, or through independent study (see course delivery options below).
General Education Requirements*
Symbolic and Oral Communication
ENGL 1113 or LSTD 1233
ENGL 1213, EXPO 1213, or LSTD 1243
MATH 1473 or LSTD 1413, Math for Liberal Studies
Foreign Language 0-10 hours; students who have completed two years of high
school foreign language are exempt from the general education foreign language
requirement.
Natural Sciences
LSTD 2423, Science as a Process, (no laboratory)
One Natural Science course with a laboratory component
Social Sciences
P SC 1113 or LSTD 1323, Governing Ourselves
One Social Sciences course
Humanities
HIST 1483 or HIST 1493 or LSTD 1223, History of the United States
One Understanding Artistic Forms course**
One Western Civilization and Culture course**
One Non-Western Culture course**
Senior Capstone Experience
LSTD 4953, Study in Depth
*General education requirements of the University of Oklahoma may be fulfilled by completing equivalent courses offered by the College of Liberal Studies.
**One of these courses must be at the upper-division level.
Lower-Division Requirements (30 hours)
LSTD 1003, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Study
LSTD 1213, Creativity in the Arts
LSTD 1313, What in the World are the Social Sciences?
LSTD 1323, Governing Ourselves
LSTD 1423, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Physical Sciences
LSTD 2213, The Humanistic Tradition: Prehistory through Renaissance
LSTD 2223, The Humanistic Tradition: Renaissance to Modern World
LSTD 2313, The Human Experience: The Role of Culture
LSTD 2323, Human Groups and Distribution of Resources
LSTD 2413, Interdisciplinary Life Sciences
Upper Division Requirements (30 hours)
LSTD 3233, Humanities of the Ancient World 3
LSTD 3243, Humanities of the Modern World 3
LSTD 3333, Human Arrangements 3
LSTD 3343, Challenges in a Changing World 3
LSTD 3433, The Dynamic Universe 3
LSTD 3443, Ecology and Evolution 3
LSTD 3503, Interdisciplinary Inquiry 3
LSTD 3953, Study in Depth Prospectus 3
LSTD 4700, Advanced Topics in Liberal Studies 3
LSTD 4800, Investigative Studies in Liberal Studies 3
Upper-division Concentration (nine hours)
Students must also complete a minimum of nine hours in one of the following areas: Administrative Leadership, Humanities, Social Sciences, or Natural Sciences. Courses may be chosen from lists available from the Liberal Studies undergraduate coordinator.
Free Electives
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED – 126
Additional Requirements for Graduation
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
At least 30 hours earned from the University of Oklahoma.
At least 40 upper-division hours earned.
At least 60 hours earned from a four-year, baccalaureate-granting institution.
This degree option was introduced in 2008 and is designed to enhance the careers of individuals working or preparing for a career in law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, private security or juvenile justice. This degree program can be completed online (electronic delivery), or through independent study, with supplemental seminars offered on-site (see course delivery options below).
General Education Requirements*
Symbolic and Oral Communication
ENGL 1113 or LSTD 1233
ENGL 1213, EXPO 1213, or LSTD 1243
MATH 1473 or LSTD 1413, Math for Liberal Studies
Foreign Language 0-10 hours; students who have completed two years of high
school foreign language are exempt from the general education foreign language
requirement.
Natural Sciences
LSTD 2423, Science as a Process, (no laboratory)
One Natural Science course with a laboratory component
Social Sciences
P SC 1113 or LSTD 1323, Governing Ourselves
One Social Sciences course
Humanities
HIST 1483 or HIST 1493 or LSTD 1223, History of the United States
One Understanding Artistic Forms course**
One Western Civilization and Culture course**
One Non-Western Culture course**
Senior Capstone Experience
LSTD 4953, Study in Depth
*General education requirements of the University of Oklahoma may be fulfilled by completing equivalent courses offered by the College of Liberal Studies.
**One of these courses must be at the upper-division level.
Major Requirements (30 Hours)
LSTD 3253, Foundations of Ethics in Liberal Studies
LSTD 3503, Interdisciplinary Inquiry
LSTD 3733, Comparative Justice Systems
LSTD 3763, Deviance and Social Control
LSTD 3773, Theories of Criminal Behavior
LSTD 3953, Study In Depth Prospectus
LSTD 3963, Statistics in Criminal Justice
LSTD 4743, Introduction to Forensic Science/Criminalistics
LSTD 4753, Drugs and Society
LSTD 4953, Study In Depth (Capstone)
Major Electives (9 Hours from the following)
LSTD 3613, Leadership in Organizations
LSTD 3623, Conflict Resolution
LSTD 3663, Ethics in Leadership
LSTD 3713, American Judicial Processes
LSTD 3733, Comparative Justice Systems
LSTD 3743, Criminal Justice Administration
LSTD 4313, Home land/Global Security and Justice
LSTD 4613, Goal Setting and Attainment
LSTD 4633, Cultural Diversity in the World
LSTD 4643, Quality Initiatives in Organizations
LSTD 4723, The American Correctional System
LSTD 4733, Police and Policing
LSTD 4763, Criminal Investigation
LSTD 4773, Cyberspace Security
LSTD 4783, Juvenile Delinquency
Free Electives
Elective hours to bring total applicable hours to 120.
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED – 120
Additional Requirements for Graduation
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
At least 30 hours earned from the University of Oklahoma.
At least 40 upper-division hours earned.
At least 60 hours earned from a four-year, baccalaureate-granting institution.
The College of Liberal Studies offers online (electronic delivery), on-site, and independent study courses towards the completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Students have the flexibility to choose multiple delivery options while pursuing their degrees, thereby allowing them to balance educational goals with their family, work, and community obligations.
Online undergraduate courses are offered in five, eight-week academic sessions throughout the year — two sessions during the fall, two during the spring, and one during the summer. Students in the online option may choose to carry two courses (six hours) during each of the available academic sessions, allowing them to make full-time progress toward completion of the degree.
Curricular material is delivered to online students over the internet in an asynchronous environment, meaning that students are not required to be online at the same time as their professor and classmates. Students complete reading and writing assignments enhanced by research conducted online. Written assignments are submitted and returned via e-mail or through Desire2Learn, the University of Oklahoma’s online course management system.
On-site undergraduate courses are available in five, eight-week academic sessions throughout the year — two sessions during the fall, two during the spring, and one during the summer. On-site classes are delivered in a hybrid format, meeting one evening per week with additional online assignments required.
The College of Liberal Studies offers a degree completion option for the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies that allows students to complete the 42-hour major with an Administrative Leadership concentration in 18 months. Classes for this program are offered at the University of Oklahoma’s Norman and Tulsa campuses, as well as Oklahoma City Community College and Rose State College. In addition, upper-division electives in Liberal Studies and Criminal Justice are periodically offered on the OU-Norman campus.
Independent Study courses are not tied to the academic semester system. Students can enroll in two classes (six hours) at a time and take as little as six weeks or as long as six months to complete their coursework. Once a course has been completed, students can immediately enroll in their next classes without waiting for a new academic semester/session to start. Students are guided by faculty mentors through their courses and are required to have occasional computer and internet access to communicate with their instructors, view course materials and submit assignments.
All undergraduate options are letter-graded (A-F). Certain seminars and/or directed independent reading courses, however, may be S/U (satisfactory/ unsatisfactory) graded. A grade of “S” at the undergraduate level signifies that work was completed at the “C” level or better, and is necessary for receiving credit for a course.
For students who initially began and completed at least one credit hour prior to September 1990, the following four general education courses are required to be completed: English Composition I, English Composition II, United States History, and United States Government.
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirement for admission to the Graduate College of the University of Oklahoma and other graduate institutions. Some graduate programs may require the completion of specific courses for full graduate standing in the major and/or minor fields of study. It is important to inquire and learn of specific curricular and admission requirements before making application to a graduate program.
Individuals wishing to pursue a Bachelor Arts in Liberal Studies or a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice must be fully admitted to the University of Oklahoma before beginning their coursework. Students under the age of 21 and with less than 24 college hours attempted are required to fulfill the University’s freshman admissions criteria available at www.ou.edu/admissions. Students 21 years of age and older or with more than 24 hours attempted are required to meet admissions criteria determined by the College of Liberal Studies in conjunction with University admissions policies and procedures.
All undergraduate students are required to submit OU and CLS supplemental applications, transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended, a 300-500 word statement of purpose, resumé, and $40 application fee. Applicants seeking probational admission to the University must also submit a 500-1000 word letter of academic appeal, two letters of recommendation, and be interviewed by the Dean or Associate Dean of the College.
A minimum transfer GPA of 2.5 is required for full admission to the University with 0-59 college hours attempted. A minimum transfer GPA of 2.0 is required for full admission to the University with 60 or more hours attempted. All applicants with GPAs falling below these minimum requirements will be considered for probationary admission.
The College of Liberal Studies offers a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with online (electronic delivery) program options in Administrative Leadership, Interprofessional Human and Health Services, and Museum Studies, and an independent study program option in Integrated Studies. Like all graduate degrees at the University, the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) is a program administered by the University of Oklahoma Graduate College. To be eligible for admission to the graduate program, students must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and must meet other admission requirements as mandated by the graduate program.
The MALS program is designed to help a student gain:
1. Greater openness to new ideas and possibilities.
2. Enhanced skill to pursue major problems or themes through the interrelationships that connect disciplines to each other.
3. A higher level of competence in the evaluation of information, ideas, opinions, and value systems.
4. Increased effectiveness in applying theoretical knowledge and understanding to professional situations.
5. An enhanced capacity for creative thinking.
6. Greater effectiveness in self-directed study.
7. Improved ability in oral and written communications.
8. The ability to function and thrive in a rapidly changing society.
There are currently four program options available within the 33-credit hour MALS degree, all of which emphasize interdisciplinary, liberal learning and are designed for students who want graduate-level study that allows them to bring together their practical experience and formal learning.
Administrative Leadership is an online program option for the MALS, which students complete through internet courses that combine traditional readings with web-based readings. The program focuses on the practices and knowledge bases needed to be a successful administrator in today’s workplace. Students explore both the theoretical aspects of leadership and applied practices. Combining the knowledge of specific, work-related principles with the mind-set of a liberal education allows students to approach new ideas, projects, and challenges by drawing upon multiple perspectives.
The online Administrative Leadership option allows students to determine the study time that best fits with their schedule. All assignments are sent via internet/email and any group activities are conducted through the internet. Administrative Leadership online courses are semester-based enrollments and students receive letter grades. Administrative Leadership students complete the following courses:
Core Courses (nine hours)
LSTD 5003, Introduction to Graduate Interdisciplinary Study 3
LSTD 5013, Interdisciplinary Foundations 3
LSTD 5903, Research in Interdisciplinary Studies, or,
LSTD 5913, Qualitative
Research Methods 3
Concentration Courses (nine hours) 9
LSTD 5623, Theories of Management & Leadership
LSTD 5633, Organizational Cultures
LSTD 5643, Individual and Leadership
Electives (nine hours) chosen from the following or other courses as approved 9
LSTD 5653, Ethics and Leadership
LSTD 5663, Perspectives on Leadership
LSTD 5673, Leadership Issues in Decision-Making
LSTD 5683, Organizational Communications for Decision-Making
LSTD 5790, Advanced Topics
LSTD 5890, Investigative Interdisciplinary Studies
LSTD 5960, Directed Readings
Completion (six hours) from one of the following: 6
LSTD 5940, Research Project
LSTD 5950, Internship
LSTD 5980, Master’s Thesis
Advanced Administrative Leadership Coursework
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED - 33
Interprofessional Health and Human Services (IHHS) is an online program option for the MALS, which students complete through internet courses that combine traditional readings with web-based readings. The IHHS option addresses current issues and ethics in health care and provides students the opportunity to select a specific area for intensive study. This option is designed to accommodate MALS students who are interested in furthering their preparation for advancement in the Human and Health Service areas. The option provides a broad-based perspective of the health care and human service delivery systems, and is not designed to provide primary professional preparation. Students selecting this option must have a prior training and/or work history in an applicable area for job entry. This option is intended to serve as a mechanism for professional advancement by enhancing the student’s competency level and expanding his/her knowledge base. The selected readings for the IHHS option represent a sampling of established as well as contemporary writing in the areas of (1) Ethics, (2) Current Issues, and (3) Cultural, Social, and Behavioral Perspectives in Health.
The online IHHS option allows students to determine the study time that best fits with their schedule. All assignments are sent via internet/email and any group activities are conducted through the internet. IHHS online courses are semester-based enrollments and students receive letter grades. IHHS students complete the following courses:
Core Courses (nine hours)
LSTD 5003, Introduction to Graduate Interdisciplinary Study 3
LSTD 5013, Interdisciplinary Foundations 3
LSTD 5903, Research in Interdisciplinary Studies, or,
LSTD 5913, Qualitative
Research Methods 3
Concentration Courses (nine hours) 9
LSTD 5123, Strategic Planning and Evaluation IHHS
LSTD 5133, Cultural, Social, & Behavioral Issues in Health
LSTD 5153, Ethics in IHHS
Electives (nine hours) chosen from the following or other courses as approved 9
LSTD 5163, Cross Cultural Health Issues
LSTD 5623, Theories of Management & Leadership
LSTD 5633, Organizational Cultures
LSTD 5643, Individual and Leadership
LSTD 5663, Perspectives on Leadership
LSTD 5673, Leadership Issues in Decision-Making
LSTD 5790, Advanced Topics
LSTD 5890, Investigative Interdisciplinary Studies
LSTD 5960, Directed Readings
Completion (six hours) from one of the following: 6
LSTD 5940, Research Project
LSTD 5950, Internship
LSTD 5980, Master’s Thesis
Advanced IHHS Coursework
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED - 33
The Museum Studies is an online program option, although there are several opportunities for students to study on the OU campus for brief periods if they so choose. The Museum Studies option serves the career-development needs of individuals who work in museums and related institutions. Those initially trained in museum work and those coming into the profession from other disciplines get a focused, integrated approach to museum studies with practical application for the various dimensions of museum work. Interaction with other museum professionals and faculty members affords perspectives from various institutional settings, adding to the knowledge base of each student. Students and graduates of the MA Museum Studies program work in art galleries, natural history museums, historical museums and societies, military museums, zoos, park and recreation facilities, and private collections. They have various responsibilities such as curatorship, exhibit management, fund raising, administration, education, conservation, and public relations.
The Museum Studies option is an online program that students complete through Internet courses, which combine traditional readings and research with web-based materials. All assignments are sent via internet/email and any group activities are conducted on the internet. Museum Studies online courses are semester-based enrollments and students receive letter grades. Museum Studies students complete the following courses:
Core Courses (nine hours)
LSTD 5003, Introduction to Graduate Interdisciplinary Study 3
LSTD 5013, Interdisciplinary Foundations 3
LSTD 5903, Research in Interdisciplinary Studies, or,
LSTD 5913, Qualitative
Research Methods 3
Concentration Courses (nine hours): 9
LSTD 5523, The World of a Museum
LSTD 5560, Museum Project
One course from the following list:
LSTD 5553, History and Architecture of Museums
LSTD 5563, Museum Management and Leadership
LSTD 5573, Museums, Cultures, and Communities
LSTD 5583, Collections Management
Electives (nine hours) chosen from the following course or other courses as approved: 9
LSTD 5553, History and Architecture of Museums
LSTD 5563, Museum Management and Leadership
LSTD 5573, Museums, Cultures, and Communities
LSTD 5583, Collections Management
LSTD 5570, Special Problems in Museology
LSTD 5590, Special Problems
LSTD 5790, Advanced Topics
LSTD 5890, Investigative Interdisciplinary Studies
LSTD 5960, Directed Readings
Completion (six hours) from one of the following: 6
LSTD 5940, Research Project
LSTD 5950, Internship
LSTD 5980, Master’s Thesis
Advanced Museum Studies Coursework
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED - 33
In this degree program option, students develop an individualized, interdisciplinary course of study with faculty mentors. Students of this option integrate topics of study from the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. For advisement about study options, please call the College of Liberal Studies. The success of students in the Integrated Studies option has shown that virtually any topic can be channeled through the interdisciplinary approach of the program. Students have studied such diverse topics as the role of television in political campaigns, the status of women in antiquity, management and business theories in transition, ethno-history of American Indians, developments in American literature and culture, international politics, changes in the technology of weather prediction, 18th-century English landscape art, and the human genome project.
Students in the Integrated Studies program option complete MALS core classes online before progressing at a self-determined pace for their program requirements. Independent study enrollments are for one year with extensions possible. Students have up to five years to complete the degree program. The concentration courses are “Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory” graded, as are some elective courses.
Students progress through the Integrated Studies degree option by completing several independent directed reading enrollments and by completing a thesis or non-thesis option at the end of the program. Students of the Integrated Studies option complete the following courses:
Core Courses (nine hours)
LSTD 5003, Introduction to Graduate Interdisciplinary Study 3
LSTD 5013, Interdisciplinary Foundations 3
LSTD 5903, Research Methods, or,
LSTD 5913, Qualitative Research Methods 3
Concentration Courses (nine hours) from the following:
LSTD 5213 (Humanities) 3
LSTD 5313 (Social Sciences) 3
LSTD 5413 (Natural Sciences) 3
Electives (nine hours), chosen from the following or other
courses as approved: 9
LSTD 5790, Advanced Topics
LSTD 5890, Investigative Interdisciplinary Studies
LSTD 5960, Directed Readings
LSTD 5943, Advanced Seminar
Completion (six hours) from one of the following: 6
LSTD 5940, Research Project
LSTD 5950, Internship
LSTD 5980, Master’s Thesis
Advanced Integrated Studies Area Coursework
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED - 33
Students in the MALS degree options may elect to complete either a thesis or a non-thesis option at the end of their program of study. In the thesis option, students carry out research and write a thesis that they defend before a committee of three faculty members. In the non-thesis option, students select a research project, an internship, or take an additional 6 hours of coursework to complete the program, and then take a comprehensive examination over their course of study. All MALS students will complete a final examination before they are allowed to graduate: an in-person oral defense (required for thesis) or a written comprehensive exam (required for coursework).
Students in the MALS options will receive letter grades (A-F) for some enrollments, and S/U grades (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) for others. For graduate students an S grade is given for work at the level of B or better. For more information, please contact the College of Liberal Studies.
Admission to the MALS program requires that students apply for and be admitted to the Graduate College of the University of Oklahoma and the College of Liberal Studies.
Regular admission to the Graduate College requires a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with an undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. All prior graduate-level work will be considered. The grade point average on graduate work must be 3.0 or above.
Conditional admission may be considered if the grade point average is below, but close to 3.0. The College reviews the total CLS application package, including applicant essay, to determine admissibility to the program with a low grade point average.
The College of Liberal Studies must receive all application materials and official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended before the admission procedure can begin. All materials should be submitted directly to the College of Liberal Studies. The admissions process begins after the OU and supplemental MA applications, transcripts, application essay, and application fee payment are on file in the College.
Admitted applicants will receive notification of admission and registration information concerning the next scheduled enrollment period. Upon admission to the College, applicants have up to one year to enroll. Applicants should complete the admission process at least six weeks prior to the anticipated first enrollment.
College of Liberal Studies students must be admitted to the University of Oklahoma. Admission to the College does not imply that an applicant is admissible to other academic divisions of the University. Graduate students must also be admitted to the Graduate College. Applications are available online and can also be ordered over the phone or by correspondence. Questions concerning admissions should be directed to:
The University of Oklahoma
College of Liberal Studies
1610 Asp Avenue
Norman, OK 73072-6405
Phone: 405-325-1061; Toll-free: 800-522-4389; Fax: 405-325-7132
e-mail: clsinfo@ou.edu.
Prospective Student Website: http://cls.ou.edu
Applications and official transcripts should be mailed directly to:
Continuing Education Admission and Records (CEAR)
1700 Asp Avenue, Room B1
Norman, OK 73072.
CLS applications include instructions for supplemental written statements that will be submitted as part of an overall application packet. If necessary for admission review, CLS admissions may request additional information. Specific criteria required for admission review are as follows:
1. The admission process will begin after a complete application folder has been assembled at the College.
2. A complete application packet includes the OU application and CLS supplemental application forms, the appropriate application fee, official transcripts from each institution previously attended, a 300-500 word statement of purpose, and a current resumé.
3. All application materials will be considered in the admission process.
4. Registration information will be sent to admitted applicants along with notification of admission.
The College follows application deadlines as printed on its applications and website. Application for admission to the College of Liberal Studies can be made at any time of year, and students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to complete the admission process well in advance of anticipated attendance. The application is accompanied by supplemental materials described on the application form and in the sections above. Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions must be provided to complete the application folder.
The application fee should accompany the application for admission and should be sent directly to Continuing Education Admissions and Records. Course tuition and fees for CLS degree programs are paid through the University of Oklahoma Office of the Bursar. Payment options are available and will be described on the bill students receive from the Bursar. For other information, please contact the Bursar’s Office at (405) 325-3121.
Fees are based upon a student’s status as a resident or nonresident of the State of Oklahoma. Students are usually considered residents if they meet the following general criteria: a) they have lived in Oklahoma for a period of 12 months and have not been attending school; b) they have recently married an Oklahoma resident; or c) they have recently moved into Oklahoma to work full-time.
Students stationed in Oklahoma during full-time military service will not be considered Oklahoma residents, but they are entitled to a non-resident tuition waiver if a statement of military status in Oklahoma is provided to the College of Liberal Studies each semester before or at the time of fee payment. Documentation of military status in Oklahoma can be obtained from base education offices. This policy also applies to spouses and children of those stationed in full-time military services in Oklahoma. The final determination for resident status is made by the University’s Admissions and Records office.
Current student status is effective for one year from the time of admission. If an admitted student does not enroll within one year, an application for readmission must be filed.
CLS reserves the right to cancel any course two weeks prior to the course’s starting date if there is not sufficient enrollment.
A student withdrawing completely from a College of Liberal Studies program may be entitled to a refund. Contact the College for the refund policy of each program option.
College of Liberal Studies students qualify for some University scholarships in addition to those offered by CLS. It takes a minimum of eight weeks to process financial aid materials, so students are encouraged to begin the financial aid process at least two months before the start of an academic session. For information concerning any financial aid matters, please contact Financial Aid Services, (405) 325-2929 or lsaid@ou.edu. Several federal, state, and local government agencies provide tuition assistance and other support for selected personnel. Likewise, many business and industrial corporations have educational assistance programs available for their employees. Prospective students are urged to explore these types of assistance. Those who receive financial support are responsible for ensuring that the necessary authorization forms are forwarded to the College of Liberal Studies. Students are responsible for knowing and meeting any criteria in respect to their enrollment status and their financial support.
In addition to program fees and tuition, students will be responsible for obtaining their books and study materials. Students will also assume responsibility for travel and living expenses associated with attending seminars as well as any material or field trip fees.
Veterans and their dependents eligible for education assistance in the College of Liberal Studies can receive reimbursement for tuition and fees. The students make payments to the University Bursar’s Office at the appropriate times, and the Veterans’ Administration payments are sent directly to the student. The veteran should contact a local VA office to obtain the appropriate form, either 22-1995 or 22-1990, which should be forwarded with the application materials. The Office of Admissions and Records will certify eligibility and enrollment to the VA office.
College of Liberal Studies students have the same rights and responsibilities as other University students with respect to participation in most University programs and services such as the Scholar-Leadership Enrichment Program, athletic events, museums, cultural and other activities. Some services for which conventional students pay an activity fee, such as the Goddard Health Center and the Huston Huffman Center, will be available to Liberal Studies students for a use or service charge.
Students will become a candidate for their chosen degree upon completion of all degree requirements. Degrees are conferred at University graduation dates in December, May and August. CLS commencement ceremonies are held in May and December.
August 2009