How is the Program Structured?

The program is designed for busy adults and does not follow the traditional university schedule of fall and spring semesters. It is part-time, held mostly in the evenings and scheduled to allow students to enjoy time off for other activities. Sessions are offered in the fall, winter and spring. Fall classes begin in September and end before Thanksgiving; winter classes begin in January and end in late March; spring courses begin in April and end in early June. No courses are held in July or August. New students may begin the program only in the fall or winter sessions.

Typically, each course will meet one evening per week (6:15-9:30 p.m.) for 10-11 weeks with one or two Saturday morning sessions. Although enrollments will vary, most classes will have an average of 12 students.

Winter session 2010: Begins the week of January 11
Spring session 2010: Begins the week of April 5 (no new students will be accepted for the spring 2010 session)
Fall session 2010: September, week TBA

Students begin the MLS Program by taking three core courses -- one in humanities, one in social sciences and one in sciences. These courses are designed to acquaint first-year students with the contrasting perspectives and methodological approaches that define academic inquiry in the three broad fields. A student may take only one course in his or her entering session.

The next seven courses will be electives. Students may focus on just one “track” (science, social science or humanities) or choose electives more broadly. All courses will require research papers; some may require tests or oral presentations.

The final course will be a capstone course designed to help students integrate the knowledge gained in the previous courses and demonstrate mastery of the intellectual skills required for an MLS degree. The capstone course must be taken after all core and elective courses have been successfully completed. See the Capstone Course Policy Statement (revised March 6, 2007) and Guidelines.

All courses earn three credit hours. The total course of study is 33 credit hours and can be completed in under four years if a student takes one class every session.

See the MLS Academic Policies.

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