FHSU– Masters in Liberal Studies- $5,500 & Doctorate in LS @ Georgetown U

I have learned a lot from this website. It is my turn to share what I have found out about the MLS (Masters in Liberal Studies) and DLS (Doctorate in Liberal Studies) program.

I recently contacted Fort Hays State University (FHSU) regarding their Masters in Liberal Studies program. I was really impressed with the quick response from Director Art Morin and Dr. Brent Goertzen from the MLS (Organization Leadership) program. They even arranged a phone call to speak with the department Chair person. Complete program costs under $5,500 (same for in-state or out-of-state). FHSU offers a number of concentrations including Organization Leadership. GRE is not required. However, their MBA in Leadership requires a GMAT.

I had called FHSU to find out if PhD programs would accept an MLS. Apparently this is possible. One of their faculty members completed an MLS at FHSU and is currently completing her PhD in curriculum and instructions at Kansas State University. One student graduated with MLS and is pursuing a PhD at Capella University. However, this student already had another Master’s degree and so there is no way of knowing if the student was accepted based on the other masters degree.

FHSU has a great website with a video portion explaining their MLS if you are interested. http://www.fhsu.edu/mls/faq/index.shtml

Georgetown University in the Washington/DC area has an interesting DLS (Doctorate in Liberal Studies). However it is not an online program. It is an evening program and is probably the only doctorate program there that does not require a GRE. I live close to Georgetown. Since they also have a B.A and M.A in Liberal Studies, I assume they will accept an accredited MLS from other schools. I should call Georgetown to confirm it.

http://liberalstudies.georgetown.edu/

 

Good luck with finishing FHSU and getting into Georgetown!

 

Be careful, there's a fellow I think named Buckwheat who had good things to say about FHSU until he began to take the required interdisciplinary courses. He dropped out of the program because there were major problems with the instructor and other areas. I gathered that aspect of the program was very poor. Perhaps he will read your post and chime in. Also, try searching for the post here.

 

an old Georgetown DLS thread http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18516

 

Gavin's [Buckwheat's] history in the MLS program in History at FHSU is here:

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16462
http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17238
http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17264
http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17361
http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17533

Forget where he ended up. Last I saw him, he was on a thread asking me about the likelihood of AMU's doctoral programs ever actually materializing. So, apparently, he landed on his feet. Not sure what the administrative foul-up was.

 

Steve,

Please share the info with us after contacting Georgetown University. We'd like to hear more about their D.L.S program.

 

Yea,
The whole experience at FHSU was about 50/50. Inside the history dept. there were some good instructors however there was a preeminent force that required a little politics to take the courses. ( that were part of your major).
There were some instructors that gave me the impression that FHSU was trying to pull off a "budget" school, and they were at the crossroads of a quality/quanity issue....indeed a very big issue.
I moved on and now I'm very glad I did so.
The GMAT requirement you speak of is surprising, I wouldn't be surprised if they "offshored" your MBA classes to a Chinese graduate student summering away until classes start. But that's FHSU, up front have quality like requirements but drop your butt into a herd of widebeest's once your enrolled. They would be better off if they bumped up tuition and acted responsible.
Good luck,
Gavin

 

Gavin,

Where did you end up and how do you like your present program of study? Also, did you take any of the grad history courses at Northern Iowa? If so how did you like 'em?

 

Too bad the HES progams are mostly evening programs. And I guess the PhD will likely be an evening progam too.

A friend of mine took an undergraduate online / DL course from Harvard Extension school and found the exam (proctored) tough.

He did well with his term paper, but found the closed book proctored exam challenging. I think it was a course on Asian studies.

 

FHSU

I'm usually more of a lurker, but I feel compelled to post and say that I'm currently in the MLS program at FHSU, and I've had a great experience so far. The professors are very professional, and the classes are everything grad school should be- difficult and time-consuming. I feel like I'm getting my money's worth so far, and I hope that one person's bad experience doesn't prevent others from checking into it. I give the school and program two enthusiastic thumbs up.

www.fhsu.edu

 

I guess $5,300 for an MLS degree at FHSU a real bargain.

Writegirl, are there any proctored exams and will you be doing a thesis? Good to hear that your experience at FHSU has been good.

 

Steve- I said they were difficult and time-consuming because there is a lot of work involved; it should be implied that due to the work I'm doing, I'm learning new things... but that's just me.

citizen- Yes, one of the courses I'm in has three proctored exams, and I will be writing a thesis. There is also a project component that can take the place of a thesis, but my concentration is in English, so I feel like the thesis is the best option.

Right now I'm in the "core" courses, which are all philosophy related, and with the reading and papers (there's a lot of them), I'm being pushed educationally. I would recommend anyone check out the program to see if it is for them... it's no cake walk, but then, if you're looking for an easy degree you shouldn't be considering a master's.

 

Steve- thanks for the welcome. It's hard to differentiate attitudes on these boards (when you're only reading); I tend to lean toward sarcasm.

Difficult and time-consuming are appropriate words in my situation: I'm living with an 8 month old while trying to earn this degree. She's crawling and she doesn't like to nap for very long. You can understand the dilemma.