Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
FAQs
Questions about the Program, Degrees, and Credits
Q. How is this program viewed by others? What have students gone on to do?
A. The Georgetown University School for Summer and Continuing Education created the Liberal Studies Degree Program in 1974. The program is administered through the
Q. Are credits transferable?
A. All course credit transfer is subject to the decision of the receiving college or university. We have no control over another institution's acceptance of our credits.
Q. Can I transfer into a full-time day program at
A. Usually not. There are different admissions and degree requirements for each program of study at
Q. How many credits are required to obtain this Master's degree?
A. 30 credit hours are required to obtain The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
Q. Can the MALS program be completed within one year of study?
A. Usually not. The earliest approximate time of completion is two years, due to the thesis requirement.
Q. Do you offer a Doctorate degree in Liberal Studies?
A. We offer a Doctor of Liberal Studies degree (DLS) program. Please visit the DLS home page for more information.
Question about Students
Q. What are the student stats?
A. Currently, we have 700 students: 600 MALS, 66 DLS, and 34 non-degree students. At last count (4/6/10), the following statistics were obtained for our degree-seeking students. The average age of our students is 40, the median age 31, and the mode 28. At count, 56% of our students were female and 44% male. Our students come from all occupational fields; a brief sampling of occupations include the following: doctors, non-profit businesspeople, homemakers, educators, military personnel,
Questions about Tuition Payment
Q. Are there any scholarships available?
A. The tuition is the same for everyone in the Liberal Studies Degree Program which is a reduced tuition rate granted by the University's Board of Directors recognizing that Liberal Studies students are adults who have full-time jobs or family commitments and have numerous other personal and professional financial obligations. The tuition is $866 per credit hour (through Spring 2012). Master's courses are three credits each.
The Liberal Studies program does not offer scholarships due to the special tuition rate. Financial aid through loans is often an option for Liberal Studies degree students. Financial aid information may be obtained by calling the Financial Aid office (202-687-4547) and asking to speak with a Graduate Liberal Studies advisor. The Financial Aid office also has access to information about scholarship opportunities provided by outside interest groups.
Q. What if I cannot pay my bill by the due date?
A. The Students Accounts office allows students to pay a deferment fee and then set up a payment plan. Please note that while they will allow you to make payments throughout the year, if your balance is not below the minimum ($2000 to register for the spring semester and $100 to register for the summer and/or fall semesters), you will have a financial block and will not be able to register until the block is lifted. The Financial Aid office might also be able to assist you in obtaining a loan.
Question about Registration & the Waitlist
Q. I am having problems registering. Can you help?
A. Make sure that you are registering on or after the allowable date for your status. (Please visit the University Registrar for the exact schedule for registration dates) Follow the Graduate Liberal Studies registration instructions exactly. For example, make sure and choose either Pre-registration or Add or Drop Courses depending on which registration period we are in. CRN's (Course Registration Numbers) are entered into MyAccess to register. CRN numbers are different then the course number. For example, the CRN number for "Art As Genius" is 12241, and not LSHS400. You can find the CRN's by going to the schedule page on the Graduate Liberal Studies website. Also note that if you are signing up for a course that overlaps with another course for which you have signed up (even by one day or by five minutes), the system will not accept the second course. Additionally, if you have an outstanding balance beyond that which is allowed, you will not be able to register. If you have reviewed the suggestions here and in the Registration Instrustion link, and yet you continue to experience problems, please contact the Liberal Studies office at (202) 687-5913 or email lsp@georgetown.edu.
Q.
A. Liberal Studies course dates, as referenced on the Liberal Studies Course Schedule & Syllabi link (found under Current Students, Courses) are correct. The Liberal Studies Degree Program does not adhere to the changed start day. However, if Liberal Studies students are taking courses in other departments (with the approval of the Liberal Studies Director), these courses will adhere to the announced change.
Q. My bill has posted my first day of class as being different than what is on the Liberal Studies schedule. Which is correct?
A. Student Accounts posts the date of the first day of classes each semester on all bills. Your actual class may begin on a different day. To view the dates for your course, go to the Course Schedule located on the schedule section of the website..
Q. Students have dropped from a class, causing the class to have less than twenty students. Why have I not moved from the waitlist?
A. Once a waitlist has formed; students will not be automatically brought over into the student roll, even if a space becomes available. The waitlist only moves on particular dates, and you will be notified by email if you are a "waitlist winner". Once the course officially closes, no students are added after 5PM the night before the course begins.
Questions about Transfer Credit
Q. When will my transfer credit show up?
A. After students complete a successful semester with the program the transcripts are re-examined and a request is made that the credits be posted to student records. Therefore, the credits appear during the next semester the student is enrolled.
Q. Will my transfer credit affect my
A. No, it is not calculated into the Georgetown GPA and is not shown as part of the GPA on the official transcript.
Questions about Course Load & Timeline
Q. Am I expected to attend every class meeting?
A. Yes. If a student does not attend the first class session, he/she usually will be dropped from the course. Absences are not expected and affect course grading. Check the absence policy in the Student Handbook. Two absences usually result in the student being withdrawn from the course.
Q. Can I take more than two courses per semester (as a Master's student)?
A. With approval from the Liberal Studies Director, you may. It is, however, recommended that students beginning the program, who are working, start by taking no more than two courses. It should also be noted that students taking nine credits or more will be charged student insurance (or need to have such insurance waived by proving that they are already insured).
Q. Can I take other day courses at
A. Yes, on a limited basis, with the permission of the Liberal Studies Director and with the permission of the corresponding department.
Q. I cannot attend courses for a semester or two. Is there anything I need to do?
A. If you are interrupting your studies and plan to only be gone for a semester, you do not need to do anything. If you find you cannot register for two or more semesters you should let us know the circumstances for your temporary interruption of your studies. You will continue to receive mailings and your Net ID will remain active. Therefore, you can register the following semester as usual. If you do not enroll for two consecutive semesters and do not let us know that you are interrupting your studies you will be withdrawn from the Program.
Q. I plan to be gone for an extended period of time and would like to withdraw. What procedure should I follow?
A. Please contact our office so that we can take care of the paperwork. When you are officially withdrawn, we remove you from our mailing lists and databases. Usually, you can be readmitted to the program at a later date by informing us of your desire to be readmitted.
Questions about the Thesis Timeline
Q. May I take the Thesis Workshop and Thesis Writing/Research at the same time?
A. No, the Program is designed so that you take the Workshop first, to help you prepare for writing your thesis. The Thesis Writing/Research should be taken the semester thereafter. You must have 27 earned hours and completed the Thesis Proposal Workshop prior to the semester you are enrolled in Thesis Writing/Research.
Q. How long do I have to work on writing my thesis?
A. Once you register for Thesis Writing/Research, you have that semester and one extra semester (Continuous Registration), if needed. The Summer term, however, does not count. Therefore, if you take Thesis Writing/Research in the Spring semester your final deadline is Dec. 1st. If you sign up for Thesis Writing/Research in the Fall semester, your final deadline is May 1.
Questions about Grades and Final Papers
Q. When are grades due?
A. Grades are due nearly a month after classes end (or about two weeks after exams). Often, professors will enter the grades directly into the system, rather than giving them to us. Therefore, checking MyAccess regularly is usually the best way to know when your grades have been entered. When grades are given to us, we turn them in to the Registrar's office for posting to your record.
Q. What can I do if I disagree with a grade?
A. Please read over the appropriate section of the Student Handbook.
Q. When are papers due?
A. There is no deadline set for professors to return papers. You may give your professor a stamped envelope for the return of your paper or check and see if your professor has brought graded papers to our office to be picked up by students. Professors are asked to return student papers to our office at the close of each semester.
Q. How long do you hold on to papers?
A. Any papers turned in to the Liberal Studies office will be held for one semester. After that time, they will be disposed of.
Q. Can you fax me my paper?
A. Unfortunately, no. You may pick up your paper from our office during the day or request that we tape it beside our door ( in an envelope) for pick-up in the evening.
Q. I have been receiving good grades on my papers. Is there any reason to receive help from Writing Services?
A. Yes, even students who regularly receive good grades often find ways to improve their writing after consulting with the writing professionals who staff Liberal Studies Writing Services. In addition to receiving help with academic papers, students may also receive help with papers they hope to publish or non-academic writing projects. We strongly encourage students to utilize the Writing Services.
Question about Extended Hours
Q. When are the extended hours for the Liberal Studies office?
A. Usually the office is open until 6:15 Tuesday evenings.
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