The following text is taken from The University of Findlay's current undergraduate and/or graduate catalog.

Mission of the Program
The mission of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is to provide lifelong learners with personal enrichment and professional enhancement through a flexible and interdisciplinary program of study in the humanities, fine arts and social sciences.

Entry Requirements
In addition to the general graduate entry requirements, students interested in the MALS program are required to schedule an interview with the MALS Program Director.  This interview whether by phone or in person, is used to gain a basic understanding of the student’s research interests, needs and goals.

To schedule an interview, please contact:
Dr. Robert Cecire, Director
1000 North Main Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840
419-434-5306 * rcecire@findlay.edu

GRE scores are not required for admission to the MALS Program.

Application Requirements
In addition to the general graduate application requirements, prospective MALS students must submit the following information:

Statement of Purpose Essay
The principal element of the application is the Statement of Purpose essay of approximately one to two pages (typed and double-spaced).  This essay should discuss in detail the kinds of issues the student expects to explore in the MALS program.  Information about academic background, special experiences and career goals may be included in the essay. 

Writing Sample
Applicants are required to submit a writing sample, preferably of no more than two to three pages.  This writing sample should represent the applicant’s best work.  Writing samples will not be returned.

Transfer Guidelines
Students may transfer nine semester hours of graduate work successfully completed at an accredited institution to The University of Findlay toward partial requirements for the MALS degree.  Any transfer in excess of nine semester hours must be reviewed by the MALS Program Director and the MALS Program Advisory Board and approved by the Graduate Student Academic Standards Committee. Transfer hours are considered as elective hours.

Students currently enrolled in another graduate degree program at The University of Findlay who wish to transfer into the MALS program should arrange a meeting with the MALS program director.  If the student’s research needs and interests can best be accommodated in the MALS Program, the Registrar is notified of the change, and the student is assigned an adviser in the MALS Program.  Hours from another graduate degree program at The University of Findlay will be evaluated for possible use as elective hours.

Graduate Student Status
Regular Status
Applicants are admitted to the MALS Program as regular graduate students, and only those who are admitted with regular status may receive the MALS degree.  In some cases, however, applicants may, for various reasons, be more appropriately assigned to other categories.  Admission under any of the other categories does not automatically ensure regular admission at a future date.

Non-degree Status
Applicants who do not intend to pursue a graduate degree may apply for non-degree status provided they meet appropriate admission requirements.  To attain non-degree status, students must supply proof of a baccalaureate degree and receive approval from the MALS Advisory Board.  These students may later apply for admission to the MALS Program as regular students. If admitted, non-degree students may apply a maximum of six semester hours of graduate course work toward the degree.   Admission as a non-degree status student does not automatically imply regular admission at a future date.

Provisional Status
Applicants for whom the verification of degree(s) or transcripts has not yet been completed, received or evaluated may be granted provisional status if all other application material is acceptable to the MALS Advisory Board.  Students are not permitted to enroll for a third semester while listed as provisional. Admission as a provisional status student does not automatically imply regular admission at a future date.

MALS Curriculum
Students must complete 33 semester hours to earn the MALS degree. No more than one course with a grade of “C+,” “C” or “C-” can be used to meet graduation requirements.

MALS Core Curriculum
All students in the MALS program (including students pursuing the Children's Literature Strand) must complete three core courses for a total of nine semester hours.

MALS Electives
All students in the MALS Program (including students pursuing the Children's Literature Strand) must complete five elective courses for a total of 15 semester hours. The course, HEPR 622, may be used to satisfy three hours of the elective requirement.

MALS Final Project/Thesis
Students pursuing a MALS degree (including students pursuing the Children's Literature Strand) must complete a final project/thesis.  The MALS Thesis/Project requirement is divided into a series of three structured course culminating with a public defense of the student's work. Bound copies of the completed thesis or project will be housed in Shafer Library and the MALS offices. Students must submit two copies of their thesis or project to the MALS program director prior to graduation. The documents must be printed on acid-free paper and ready for binding.

Students earning a MALS degree must complete 33 semester hours including the MALS core requirements (nine hours); MALS electives (15 hours) and the thesis/project sequence of MALS 500, 600 and 700 (nine hours). Students wishing to participate in graduation cermonies may only do so if all thesis/project requirements have been completed by March 31 for spring semester and October 31 for fall semester.

Students earning a graduate degree in MALS with a Children’s Literature Strand must complete 33 semester hours including the MALS core requirements (nine hours); two general elective courses and three courses from EDUC 514, 515, EDFI 546 (Writing Institute), EDSP 548 or EDCI 565 (15 hours) and the thesis/project sequence of MALS 500, 600 and 700 (nine hours).