Master of Liberal Studies

FHSU MLS/Humanities ==> clarifying

Here is what I'm referring to, which raised a big red flag in my search for an MLS program. I thought I was losing my mind about the proctor info so I just checked again:
http://www.fhsu.edu/syllabus/soc/kecampbell/kcampsoc647vcok.pdf
(This is a course in Comparative Cultural Anthropology, specific to the MLS/Humanities. There may be others lurking out there!)

3. TESTING
You will take one test in July and the second test in August (see Schedule). You must locate a test proctor for these tests and take your tests under their supervision. No later than July 13, I must RECEIVE the completed Student and Proctor Forms found at the end of this syllabus. (To be sure they arrive in time, maybe you should mail them by July 8th or 9th, depending on how far from Kansas you live.)
After I receive your completed forms, I shall send the first test to your proctor. You will then schedule a specific time for you to take the test under their supervision consistent with the course schedule below.

Hope this helps someone out there who could have trouble with proctored exams. For most folks having an exam proctored is not a big deal. For others of us, it is almost impossible. Some of us live in very rural areas, which is why we love the idea of distant learning.

I'm just sayin' .......

 

I did the CSUDH HUX MA way back in the last millenium and it didn't require a GRE back then either. (We submitted our cuneiform applications on clay tablets.) I think that you might be confusing the HUX MA with CSUDH's DL MBA, which requires the GMAT.

 

Of clay tablets and we oldsters .....

Ha, cuneiform! Very good! I started the HUX MA in 1994, dropped out in 1996. Some time in *this* millennium I considered applying and starting all over at CSU-DH HUX (cuz grad credits are only good for five years), got the catalog and info, and at that time they required the GRE. I was shocked and dismayed, to say the least, but I swear they did! Not sure what year it was, since I constantly investigate distance learning degree programs.

Ah well, what's important is they don't currently require the GRE and they do have a decent program if the student can tolerate what I considered to be an uncooperative and snarky attitude by the staff (not necessarily the profs).

 

Is an MA in Humanities the same as an MA in Liberal Studies? I have a BA in English and a BA in Religious Studies. I checked out the California Community College home page which listed requirements for teaching at the community colleges and for Religious Studies it said MA in Humanities
or Religious Studies. It also said that MA in Interdisciplinary Studies was no longer acceptable. Seems to me all these titles amount to the same thing, but I'd hate to go after a MALS expecting I could use it for RelStudies in the CA community colleges and then find out...uh, no.

I'm thinking I could transfer some credits I have in grad English into a MALS.

DOes anyone know if the 18 units grad work in a subject still works for community colleges in California? I saw no reference to it, so I figured that has been changed recently. Anyone know what happened to the 18 unit deal?

 

Nope.

Here is an example of a M.A. in Humanities that would meet CA teaching requirements.

 

(Gee, I haven't been on this forum in a long time!)
I can attest that a Liberal or Interdisciplinary Studies degree is not the same as a degree with a regular major, such as religion or philosophy. Liberal Studies (and Interdisciplinary) by definition requires study in breadth and some depth. I have been in several such programs and they expect you to take courses in several or all of the major disciplines, then you usually take several courses in one discipline, and finally, your thesis. An MA in Humanities implies specialization in one of the subjects within the humanities, including your thesis subject.

I used to live in CA and have several friends who teach part time in various community colleges. Sometimes they waive the Master's requirement if they have trouble recruiting teachers for some classes. Check job listing requirements for whatever positions you're interested in. There may not be openings now but you can always contact Human Resources (or check their web site) and ask for educational requirements for the teaching jobs.

 

Okey-doke - I finally got an answer to my question by calling a California community college HR department. The answer is "No, there is no 18 hour possibility at CCC. You need a straight MA in the field you will teach. Period."


Then , having said that, the woman told me that ESL is different because in her district it falls under "adult education." So it seems if ESL is categorized as adult education something as simple as an AA + 6 years experience will work, but if the district teaches the subject as a regular community college course, then an MA in English or ESL is needed.

I hate trying to figure out Byzantine bureaucracies. But I guess the above is the best definition I'll get.

 

Just wanted to offer up this program from Arizona State University, in case anyone is still interested in online masters degrees in Liberal Arts/Liberal Studies: Liberal Studies (MLSt) | Online Degree Programs | ASU Online

 

Hi, It's been a while since I last checked this site. I started an MA in liberal studies at Excelsior, and I am wondering if there are any alternatives. The important point about Excelsior is that they take old credits. That and being regionally accredited is the only reason I'm doing them. But, if there were anyone else out there that took old credits (I have 8 from a state university) I'd consider switching. Any new developments in the last couple of years?
Thanks for any info folks.

 

I ran across this program at Auburn University Montgomery a month ago.

Areas of Study

Anthropology/Archaeology
Art
English
Geography and Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S.)
History
Spanish
Sociology
Theatre

Master of Liberal Arts

 

Thanks. I'm checking into it. I need to transfer my old units and it's not clear what Auburn will take.

Honestly, considering how many 100s of thousands of people have half finished degrees, you'd think the colleges would tumble to the fact that transferring units is essential to a lot people, and financially advantageous for the schools. Excelsior gets that, and they have tons of people applying. I understand that old units in, for example, biology , would be a hard sell. But Shakespeare?! Come on, folks. Practicality.

 

Yeah, what you said, ditto!

Ha, I agree with you to the nth degree! Just one of the irritations about distance learning (prolly applies to B&M schools but I didn't take that route). Excelsior is one of the few exceptions about the transfers, so good for them. What you mentioned is likely one of the reasons so many of us have washed out from various programs. Then when we want to either re-enroll or transfer units, those units we worked for are purportedly too old. Sheesh!
:grumpy:

 

Keep in mind, this isn't THE Auburn University. This is a small branch campus and does not carry the same prestige/reputation of the main campus located in the town of Auburn.

Also, if it was me, I'd spend the extra $1k and do the program at SMU, a much more highly regarded school than Excelsior. If you break it down per credit, SMU is actually cheaper. Not sure on their credit transfer policy, though.

 

I knew you'd pop up. :raincloud:

I like how you said The Auburn University. That's deep.

 

I have two undergraduate degrees from the University of California, so I don't much care about the prestige. And, I already have a job. But my employer wants me to have an MA - any MA - so as long as Excelsior is accredited and will take my old units and I can do it online, it's OK by me. If another better school took my old units, I'd go for that. But i can't find any place except Excelsior that will take 10 year old units in Keats, Shakespeare etc. I wrote Auburn and they replied very quickly - No. The units are too old, they said. So, unless someone has a better alternative, looks like it is Excelsior.

Someday, and probably in the near future, the current bullsh** higher education model is going to be drastically altered. It will be interesting to see where we are ten years from now. I imagine there will be a great deal more flexibility. Lucky future students!

 

Does anyone know of a MALS where you can take 18 hours in English and 18 in philosophy/religion? The English courses must have an ENG prefix, not LIT or something else.