Political Leadership and Public Service Concentration
About the Program
Our communities - local, state, regional, national, and global - face a multiplicity of vexing challenges but also offer numerous opportunities for "the common citizen" to have a positive impact on economic, political, cultural, social, and religious matters. You may be one of many individuals who help out in a community organization, or non-profit organization, or church. Or you may want to take your duties as a citizen seriously and get involved in some way. Undoubtedly, you work in either the public, non-profit, or private sector. Whatever the case, it is our hope that this MLS concentration will help you develop a knowledge base and skills that will empower you to more ably contribute to the communities and organizations that are important to you - and to us, too.
In order to achieve these goals, this MLS concentration centers on three basic aspects of our current condition: 1) political institutions and processes, 2) leadership and change-making, and 3) ethics. Each of these three basic aspects, and the learning goals associated with them, are briefly described below. After that, the courses in curriculum of the concentration are listed (course descriptions are included).
- Political Institutions and Processes: Political leadership and civic engagement requires a solid working knowledge of government and non-governmental organizations and processes. Students will understand political dynamics and develop capacities to influence the public policymaking processes.
- Leadership and Change-Making: Effective political leadership and civic engagement in democratic societies is intended to produce change for the common good. This process requires students to initiate and sustain grassroots change and to develop variety of analytic, communication, and network abilities.
- Ethics and Political Leadership and Civic Engagement: Perhaps the greatest challenge facing today's leaders is establishing high ethical standards. Students will develop the moral and social responsibilities necessary for political and civic leaders as they mobilize the citizenry to confront the challenges of our society.
Master of Liberal Studies is endorsed by the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs
Program Admission Requirements
This concentration requires a GPA of 2.5 or higher on the last 60 undergraduate hours. The personal statement (1-2 pages) should be inspired by the following questions:
- What does it mean to engage in graduate study?
- What are three of the most crucial qualities needed to be a graduate student?
- Describe for us something you're especially proud of having achieved in your life.
One of the two required letters of recommendation should be an academic reference.
The program has a rolling admissions process, and will review completed applications as they are submitted.
Program Curriculum
MLS Core Courses: 10 credits (required)
- IDS 801: Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies
- IDS 802: Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective
- IDS 803: Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society
- IDS 804: Information Literacy
Concentration Core: 12 credit hours (required)
- LDRS 640G: Principles of Civic Leadership
- LDRS 801: Theoretical Foundations of Leadership
- LDRS 818: Ethical Leadership
- COMM 810: Organizational Communication and Leadership
Choose one of the following: 3 credit hours
- POLS 621G: American Civil Liberties
- POLS 651G: Recent Political Theories
- POLS 653G: American Political Thought
- POLS 675G: Any approved seminar
Choose one of the following: 3 credit hours
- POLS 664G: Political Behavior
- POLS 665G: Interest Groups and Lobbying
Choose one Culminating Experience: 3 credit hours
- IDS 820: Projects in Liberal Studies
- Course approved by MLS Coordinator
Total Hours Required: 31 credit hours
Program Contact
Contact Dr. Jian Sun to see if the Master of Liberal Studies concentration in Political Leadership and Public Service is right for you. Once you have been admitted to this concentration, please follow the MLS Checklist and carefully read the MLS Student Handbook.