Master of Liberal Arts

"As a computer scientist, I have had little opportunity to study literature, history, art or religion. Exposure to these fields, through the MLA program at Lock Haven University, has been incredibly challenging and exciting. I have enjoyed every minute of it."

Dr. Cherie M. Stevens, Professor of Computer Science
South Florida Community College, Avon Park, FL

"This educational experience at LHU has helped me focus my goals and redefine them more clearly and has also given me the opportunity to achieve greater insight  into this world. This has been the best experience of my life."

Carolynne M. Timko, M.L.A.
Blossburg, PA

Admissions Requirements	Admission Status	Application for Admission
Capstone Procedures	Course Descriptions	Curriculum
Faculty	Graduate Assistantship	Mission Statement
Procedures & Policies	Routine Policies	The MLA Graduate Student
Transfer of Credits

The Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Master of Liberal Arts degree program is a nonprofessional, interdisciplinary graduate program for the intellectually curious adult whose baccalaureate education is completed.  This master's program is usually completed within a two or two and a half year period.

Mission Statement  top
The Master of Liberal Arts program is designed for adults who wish to study the liberal arts in depth.  Its focues is on the development of intellectual skills that dispel illusion and foster the unimpeded activity of our most fully human powers of thought and action.  The topics studied are chosen for their ability to illuminate the perennial concerns of human life, challenge the conventional assumptions of the current age, and, above all, communicate the delight of discovery and strength of understanding.  The program will enhance a student's ability to analyze, synthesize and appreciate a broad spectrum of knowledge drawn from a variety of disciplines.

The MLA Graduate Student  top
The MLA program is designed for any adult with a bachelor's degree wishing to study the liberal arts in greater depth, for professionals seeking to expand their educational horizons, or for teachers wanted to experience academic learning from a liberal arts perspective.  Because a certain amount of flexibility distinguishes this program from traditional master's degrees, courses have been designed with the adult learner in mind.

Curriculum   top
Students are awarded a Master of Liberal Arts degree upon successful completion of thirty (30) credits.  The program consists of three parts:

The project may be completed during the last two semesters.  In conjunction with a faculty advisory committee, students complete literature searches and a Capstone Project.  The project may take the form of a research thesis or a creative composition.

Course Descriptions

Faculty  top
Faculty members in the Master of Liberal Arts program are noted for their diverse expertise; their interest in interdisciplinary study and in the education of teachers; and their enthusiasm for working with adults. In addition to teaching, faculty advise students, formulate program policy, and supervise independent study and capstone projects.

Admissions Requirements   top
Eligibility
Applicants for admission to the Master of Liberal Arts degree program must meet the following requirements:

• Baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or conditional acceptance with less than 3.0 GPA with full admission after nine semester hours of  3.0 work

• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work

• Letter of intent that includes an indication of personal and educational goals, expectations for the graduate program, and which skills and experiences the student brings to the program

• Official grade report of the TOEFL at an appropriate level if the student is not a native speaker of English and has no high school or baccalaureate degree from an Anglophonic institution

• Completed application form

• $25.00 non-refundable application fee

Transfer of Credits  top
A maximum of six graduate semester hours may be transferred and applied toward the degree in any of the following ways:

• Acceptable graduate credits completed at Lock Haven University as a non-degree student

• Acceptable graduate credits in a graduate program completed at another institution

The student is responsible for filing an official graduate transcript of any work presented for transfer credit with the Office of Admission.

Admission Status  top
The Lock Haven University College of Arts and Science Master of Liberal Arts program defines the categories of its graduate status, full or part-time, as:

• Regular Full Admission:  requiring a minimal 3.0 undergraduate GPA and TOEFL test scores for international students.

• Conditional Admission:  in which undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 and sustainable for nine semester hours, at which point an overall 3.0 GPA is required.

• Non-Degree Status Admission:  in which a maximum of six credits of work completed as a non-degree student may later be transferred to the degree program.

Procedures and Policies After Admission  top
Routine Procedures
1.  Once students have been admitted into the MLA program, it is recommended that they schedule a meeting with the MLA Graduate Coordinator for additional information.

2.  After the initial meeting with the MLA Graduate Coordinator, an appropriate academic advisor will be assigned to the student.  It is expected that graduate students will meet with their academic advisors in order to plan schedules and the Capstone Project.

3.  Each semester students may register for classes via  WEB-R.  Personal Identification Numbers are provided to all new students upon their first semester of registration.

4.  During the final semester, students must file a Graduation Application by established deadlines.

Routine Policies  top
Academic Standards
Students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.000 to remain in good academic standing. 

If a student's GPA falls below 3.000, the student will be placed on Academic Probation for one semester.

If, after the probationary semester, a cumulative GPA of 3.000 is not achieved, the student will be suspended for the following semester.  However, students may appeal this suspension if the cumulative GPA is between 2.800 and 2.999.  Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Dean of the College of Arts and Science within five days of notification.  If the appeal is granted, the student will be placed on probation during the semester of readmission.  If a student chooses not to appeal a suspension and then decides to return to the University after a one-semester absence, the student must request permission to return to the program by sending a letter to the Office of Enrollment Services or complete the Request to Resume Studies Form.

Students may appeal a suspension if they can document extraordinary circumstances beyond their control (personal, medical, serious family emergencies).

If a cumulative GPA of 3.000 is not achieved during this probationary semester, the MLA Coordinator will recommend dismissal from the program.  This recommendation will be forwarded to the Dean for appropriate action.  Dismissal is a permanent separation from the University.

A student will be eligible to receive the Masters of Liberal Arts degree upon the completion of all program requirements with an overall GPA of 3.0.  The maximum timeline for completion of all requirements will constitute six (6) years from the date of regular admission status.

Graduate Assistantship  top
Each year a limited number of graduate assistantships are available.  Click for an application. 

Qualifications
The student must be:

• Unconditionally admitted to graduate study (minimum GPA of 3.0 in the undergraduate degree).

• Enrolled full-time (i.e., 9 semester hours of graduate work).

• Remain in good academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher).

Description

• Remuneration will include full tuition waiver and stipend of $4,500 per year.

• Graduate assistants will work in an assigned area for a designated supervisor no more than twenty (20) hours per week during the academic year.

• Assignments will (as much as possible) be in an area related to the student's major field of study.

• Graduate students must re-apply for renewal of assistantships at the end of each regular year (fall/spring).

Capstone Procedures  top
1.  Upon completion of at least 15 credits of course work, the student should have formulated a set of questions or issues warranting further exploration through the conclusion of a formal project.  The Capstone Project may assume the shape of a Research Thesis or a Creative Composition.

2.  The student will select a faculty member to act as the chairperson of the Capstone Committee.  This faculty member will advise and guide the student throughout the project.  Two additional faculty members will act as reads on the committee.  This Capstone Committee should be formulated no later than the semester before the actual project is started.  Once the committee is formulated, the student must submit a completed form "Capstone Project Committee" with the Capstone Project Proposal to the MLA Curriculum Committee.

3.  The Proposal
The semester before the Capstone Project is begun, the student must submit the following information as part of the Capstone Project Proposal:

• The Capstone Project Committee Form (yellow).

• A list of references of core sources for the project.

• An outline and description of the proposed project.

4.  The Capstone Project Proposal is submitted to the MLA Coordinator for distribution to the MLA Curriculum Committee for acceptance or rejection of the project.  The MLA Coordinator will notify the student of the decision and recommendations from the committee.  This procedure must be completed before the student registers for the Independent Studies-Capstone.

5.  The Capstone Project should be completed a month before the end of the semester in which the student is scheduled for graduation.  The student must submit the "Capstone Project Certification Form" to the Committee for appropriate signatures.  This form is then forwarded to the MLA Graduate Coordinator.

Application

~ APPLY FOR THE MLA DEGREE PROGRAM ON-LINE  ~
Before beginning your on-line graduate admission application, please note:
**Valid credit card is required for $25.00 application fee.
**Official college transcripts must be sent to Office of Admissions - Attn: Graduate Programs from each college/university attended before application review begins.
**Master of Liberal Arts degree program requires a Letter of Intent.

For more information, contact:  top
Graduate Programs
Office of Admissions
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Telephone - in PA 1-800-332-8900; outside PA 1-800-233-8978
Fax - 570-893-2201
Send an email to Graduate Admissions 

Updated 4/2005                    5/18/2005