Catalog of Abilene Christian University, 2005-2006 Page: 133
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Graduate School 133
Liberal Arts
David B. Merrell, Advisor
ACU Box 29141, Abilene, Texas 79699-9141
Hardin Administration Building, Room 212
Phone: 325-674-2035
Fax: 325-674-6844
Email: merrelld@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/grad
Faculty
The graduate faculty of the university serves as the faculty for the
Master of Liberal Arts.
Abilene Christian University offers the Master of Liberal Arts degree
with concentrations in a variety of fields in which the university offers
master's degrees.
Introduction
The Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) program offers students who have
completed at least a baccalaureate degree a means of formal personal
enrichment through the interdisciplinary MLA degree. Liberal arts
study is for anyone with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree
who wishes to continue the "unfinished business" of a liberal arts
education, the quest for knowledge about mankind and God's world.
Liberal arts study at ACU permits the student to explore a wide range
of disciplines and personal interests at the graduate level. The MLA
student may take graduate courses from any area in which he or she
can meet the specific course prerequisites. Thus, a student can gain
understanding in a broad graduate curriculum within the context of
Christian higher education. The program is not designed to produce
a standard career credential as are more traditional master's degree
programs. Rather, the liberal arts program seeks the intellectual
development and professional enhancement of adult students in
areas such as the arts and humanities, social sciences and religion
with additional enrichment from professional and technical areas
such as business.
In the arts and humanities, courses in literature, communication and
history seek to address such enduring questions as what mankind is to
live for and how humans should conduct themselves.
In the social sciences, courses in psychology, sociology and family
studies endeavor to assist the student in forming a critical awareness
of the complexity of human affairs and interrelationships and in
establishing an ethical framework for making informed decisions
about human affairs and the social institutions that promote orderly
human discourse.
In religion, courses address the nature of humanity's being and
purpose and mankind's interaction with fellow man and with God.
Religion courses also include application courses in such areas as
missions or biblical ministry. In business, courses in management and
finance assist the student in understanding the theoretical and
practical framework of everyday human interchange.
The liberal arts student will be responsible for helping design his or
her degree plan because each is crafted to the student's individual
needs and desires for higher education. The degree plan must meet
the parameters given in the degree requirements below. In many
cases, the student can help design a degree plan that can be
completed with evening and short courses. In others, the student
will find it desirable to participate in regular day classes to gain
the experiences desired.
The liberal arts student will first work with the MLA advisor to
determine the dominant areas of interest and an appropriate
graduate committee. The graduate committee will then work with
the Graduate School through the completion of the individual MLA
degree program. The committee and degree program should be
approved by the end of the second semester of enrollment.
The liberal arts student may apply to take courses in any graduate
department of the university, but should remember that some courses
have specified prerequisites. In some cases, the student will require
special admission to the course from the instructor or the chair of thedepartment. Specific courses may be required and appropriate
research competencies must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of
the student's graduate degree committee, the MLA advisor and the
graduate dean.
Each degree program operates under the general supervision of the
dean of the Graduate School. The initial advisor will be the MLA
advisor. A supervisory committee of appropriate graduate faculty
(at least three) will be appointed to consult with, advise and evaluate
the student's progress. Each degree plan will be approved by the
graduate dean and committee members from appropriate areas
of study in consultation with the MLA advisor.
Admission Requirements
For admission criteria, please refer to the Admission Requirements
listed in the Graduate School section of this catalog. In addition to
the general Graduate School requirements, applicants to the MLA
program must complete:
1. A personal interview with the MLA advisor or one appointed by
the MLA advisor; and
2. Impromptu written statement from the applicant describing the
purposes and objectives for entering the MLA program.
An admission committee will determine the student's eligibility for
admission. Admission applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
as received prior to the beginning of each academic term. Admission
decisions will apply all general standards for the Graduate School.
MASTER OF LIBERAL ARTS (MLA)
Major Code: GELF
Requirements for the MLA are:
1. This interdisciplinary degree requires studies in various
disciplines with the courses and areas being related by the
student's intellectual curiosity and needs.
2. The student must demonstrate appropriate research
competencies to the satisfaction of the supervisory committee,
the MLA advisor and the graduate dean. Specific courses may
be required to build research competencies.
3. At least 36 hours meeting the general requirements of the
Graduate School (including at least 50 percent at the 600 level)
and the following guidelines:
a. Three academic divisions: the program must include courses
from at least three academic divisions of the university.
b. Cluster of courses: 18 hours must reflect a cluster of courses
related by theme or topic. The student has considerable
freedom in defining a cluster theme or topic.
4. Single discipline: a maximum of 12 hours may be applied from
a single discipline. Additional hours within a discipline may be
taken as electives over and above the 36 hours required for
the degree.
5. Other areas of interest: 12-15 hours may be related to any of
the student's other interests.
6. Synthesis project: a 3-6 hour project related to the cluster area
will culminate the degree program. Guided by the supervisory
committee, this project will demonstrate the student's ability to
develop ideas and use analytical skills at the master's level.
7. Comprehensive examination: The student will successfully
complete a written and/or oral comprehensive examination
extending the synthesis project and relating the course work
under the direction of the supervisory committee.
Unsatisfactory performance may require additional course work
before another examination may be attempted.
Degree Process
In order to complete a degree, the student with the assistance of the
MLA advisor, faculty appointee or the graduate dean must:
1. Select the areas of emphasis, including selecting possible courses
to fulfill interests.
2. Set up a supervisory committee.
a. Based on areas of interest.
b. Must be selected by the completion of 12 hours of
enrollment.
3. Design a degree plan.
a. Refine preliminary interests.
b. Consult the supervisory committee.
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Abilene Christian University. Catalog of Abilene Christian University, 2005-2006, book, 2005; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth284693/m1/135/: accessed May 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.