Work with
an advisor to design your own Master’s degree! This
interdisciplinary program allows you to create a unique mix
of courses from across the humanities, social sciences, and
professionally-oriented programs. It is geared to students
committed to reading, thinking, and discussion. With many
courses offered in the evening, this program is ideal for
mature, part-time students. GREs are not required.
Program Learning Goals
-
Students establish appropriate learning
goals to meet their educational and career
plans as demonstrated by their Statement of
Intent and first Annual Study Plan.
-
Students design a multi- and
interdisciplinary plan of study to meet
their goals.
-
Students assess their learning process on an
annual basis, and discuss in writing and in
conversation the degree to which they have
met and achieved their learning goals for
the year.
By learning to design, implement, and
assess their own educational program, students performing
many of the same tasks that program designers undertake for
their respective academic programs.
Every
Liberal Studies student prepares an Annual Study Plan (an
update of the Statement of Intent from the original
Admissions application—see below). In consultation with the
Program Director, the Plan outlines the courses to be taken
during the following year and overall academic direction in
which the student is headed.
Applications
Applicants to the Liberal Studies program should include a
Statement of Intent (Personal Statement) with their
application. The Statement should be well-written and
one-two single spaced pages in length. The Statement should
include the following:
--One-two paragraphs that explains what you hope to do in this
interdisciplinary program. For instance, some students
simply enjoy taking interesting courses with great faculty,
and they are more interested in knowledge than a specific
topic or goal. Another student may be interested in the
interface between crime, politics, and gender. What
motivates you to join this program? What do you hope to
accomplish?
-- If your undergraduate average was below 3.0 (below a B average),
please explain what is different now. If you will not submit
GRE scores (or your scores are not particularly good),
please explain. There are no right or wrong answers to these
questions, but we would like to know how you assess your own
educational background.*
--After
your online application has been submitted, the Program
Director will contact you for an interview.
Applicants may apply on-line
by visiting
http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu
The program is open to degree and nondegree students
on a full-time or part-time basis. Students may apply throughout the summer for fall
semester admission. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required
*
Students who
have not taken the GREs or who enter the program with low
undergraduate averages may be required to take a Graduate
Reading and Writing course (for example, Literacy and
Democracy). These three-credit courses count toward your
degree.
