Liberal Studies, M.A.L.S. (Archival Studies Concentration)

General Program Information

Graduate School Contact:
Jessimine Strauss; straussj@etsu.edu; (423) 439-6158

Marie Tedesco, Ph.D., Director
916 West Maple
Box 70659
(423) 439-4223
e-mail: tedescom@etsu.edu

Faculty: Jill LeRoy-Frazier; Marie Tedesco.

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers students from a variety of backgrounds an alternative graduate education. Firmly grounded in the values of interdisciplinary learning, the MALS degree allows students to design an individualized program of study in the Arts, Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, and related fields. MALS students complete a common core and then select graduate elective courses from disciplinary departments. MALS students choose either a thesis or a special project to complete their programs of study.

Program Admission Requirements for Master of Arts in Liberal Studies

A student applying to the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program needs the following:

1. A baccalaureate degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
2. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. A successful admissions interview.
5. A writing sample of four-five pages. In the writing sample, the applicant will elaborate on reasons for applying to the MALS program, on comprehension of liberal arts, and interdisciplinary, on relevant intellectual interests, and if an Archival Studies Concentration applicant, on the work of the archivist and the nature of the archive. If an Applied Theatre Pedagogy Concentration applicant, the essay should include a description of related work experience and interest in the program.
6. For applications for admission into the Applied Theatre Pedagogy concentration: after a review of the application materials, applicants whose documents indicate a potential for success will be invited for an interview with the MALS director and the head of Project REAL conducted either in person, by telephone, or by Skype.

Students may be admitted into the MALS degree program fall, spring, or summer, but those admitted to the Applied Theatre Pedagogy Concentration in other than the fall semester can begin the concentration core fall semester only.

Archival Studies Concentration

The concentration in archival studies within the MALS program offers students a cross-disciplinary program of study consistent with recommendations of the Society of American Archivists. Students take core courses in liberal studies, as well as core courses in archival studies. Electives come from three (3) categories: Library Science, Management, and Subject Field. A practicum at a local repository is an elective option.

Liberal Studies, M.A.L.S. Degree Requirements: 46 credits

Liberal Studies Core Requirements: 10 credits

• MALS 5000 - Foundations in Liberal Studies (1 credit)
• MALS 5100 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Study (3 credits)
• MALS 5400 - Seminar in Interdisciplinary Research (3 credits)

•  

• MALS 5200 - Seminar in Liberal Studies (3 credits)

• or

• MEDA 5850 - Organizing and Managing Content on the Internet (3 credits)

Archival Studies Concentration: 15 credits

• AVST 5310 - Archives History, Theory, and Current Issues (3 credits)
• AVST 5311 - Archives Principles and Practices (3 credits)
• AVST 5312 - Archives Conservation (3 credits)
• AVST 5320 - Principles and Practices of Records Management (3 credits)
• AVST 5570 - Archives Practicum (3 credits)

Archives Core Elective: 6 credits

Choose two (2) of the following courses:

• MCOM 5030 - Media and the First Amendment (3 credits)
• MCOM 5037 - Communications Law (3 credits)
• PMGT 5160 - Public Budgeting and Finance (3 credits)

•  

• PMGT 5100 - Introduction to Public Administration (3 credits)

• or

• MGMT 5010 - Essentials of Management (3 credits)

Allied Professions Elective: 3 credits

Choose one (1) of the following courses:

• APST 5690 - Documenting Community Traditions (3 credits)
• ELPA 6563 - The Adult Learner (3 credits)
• ELPA 6955 - Grant and Proposal Development (3 credits)
• HIST 5427 - Public History: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
• MEDA 5720 - Cataloging and Classification (3 credits)
• PMGT 5300 - Not-for-Profit Resource Development (3 credits)

Information Technology Elective: 6 credits

Choose two (2) of the following courses:

• CSCI 5317 - Internet and Computer Law (3 credits)
• CSCI 5460 - Network and Information Security (3 credits)
• CSCI 5927 - Human Computer Interaction (3 credits)
• MEDA 5530 - Computer-Based Authoring Systems (3 credits)

•  

• MEDA 5520 - Essentials of Multimedia (3 credits)

• or

• MEDA 5000 - History and Philosophy of Librarianship (3 credits)

Allied Professions Elective: 3 credits

Choose one (1)  three credit course approved by the MALS director.

Thesis/Non-thesis Option: 3 credits

• MALS 5950 - Special Project in Liberal Studies (3 credits)

• or

• MALS 5960 - Thesis (3 credits)