College of Arts and Sciences

Roger Schultz, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Professor of History

 Sean Beavers, B.M., M.M., D.M.
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Instrumental Coordinator, Department of Music Education and Applied Studies
Associate Professor of Music

PURPOSE
The College of Arts and Sciences provides learning opportunities in the academic disciplines relating to man’s cultural, social and scientific achievements. The College offers instruction in English, family and consumer sciences, French, geography, history, humanities, linguistics, mathematics, military science, philosophy, physics, sociology, Spanish, and Teaching English as a Second/ Foreign Language.

Department of English and Modern Languages

Karen S. Prior, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Chair, Department of English and Modern Languages
Associate Professor of English

Mark R. Harris, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Director, Master of Arts in English Program
Associate Professor of English

RESIDENTIAL FACULTY
Professor
Ayres; Gribbin; McClelland; Schmidt; Woodard

Associate Professor
Adu-Gyamfi; Curtis; Harris; Heady; Müller; Nutter; Prior

Assistant Professor
Baggett; Kim, J.; Towles, M.

Master of Arts in English (M.A.)

PURPOSE
The Master of Arts in English is a 36-hour, graduate-level degree in English language and literature, practical in its reading and writing about a broad spectrum of texts in English, theoretical in its observation of texts through the diverse critical lenses of current literary theory, philosophical in its investigation of the meaning of literary texts in the human experience, professional in its preparation for further work in the academic disciplines as well as to a wide variety of professional disciplines to which a studied understanding of the human experience is valuable.  The purpose of the program is to equip students, within a Christian, biblical worldview, to pursue further studies in English language arts at the doctoral level, as well as to prepare for careers related to the field.  The M.A. in English will provide students with the opportunity to study the texts of literature in English and the western tradition, the critical tradition pertaining to these texts, and critical approaches to interpreting texts, as well as a background in research methods and the practice of writing and in the linguistic characteristics of English throughout its history, offered in advanced degree programs in English.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES      
The student will be able to:

1. Discuss English language and literature and critical theory in a manner appropriate to the field.
2. Produce in-depth research using appropriate scholarly methods and resources.
3. Write in a professional and scholarly manner.
4. Evaluate the relationships between literary works and their contexts.
5. Analyze literary texts, theory, and history through a Christian worldview.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC ADMISSION PROCEDURES
In addition to the general admission requirements, specific admission procedures to the M.A. in English are as follows:

1. Earned baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S., Department of Education (e.g., SACS, TRACS, ABHE, etc.)
2. Applicants should hold a 3.00 GPA for undergraduate study.  Applicants close to the requirement may be considered for enrollment in the program on a probationary basis but will not qualify for Graduate Assistantship positions.  These students must take and pass GRST 500 – Introduction to Graduate Writing in their first semester.
3. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree, with the completion of at least 15-18 hours in upper-division English by the end of their second semester of enrollment.
4. Applicants are required to submit current GRE scores.
5. Applicants must submit a writing sample explaining why they wish to pursue an advanced degree in English.
6. Applicants must submit a professional letter of recommendation.
7. TOEFL (if applicable)

TRANSFER CREDIT
Students may transfer up to two graduate level courses (total of 6 credit hours) from an accredited institution subject to department approval.  In order to transfer credit, students must have earned the minimum grade of B; and courses must have been completed within 10 years of the start date of the program. Credits from a prior degree earned through Liberty University are considered transfer credits.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to other regulations governing graduation as state in the Liberty University catalog, M.A. in English graduates must meet the following requirements:

• Complete 36 total hours.
• A minimum of 30 hours must be completed through Liberty University, not to include credits from a prior degree earned through Liberty.
• A maximum of six (6) hours of transfer credit, including credit from a degree on the same academic level previously earned through Liberty, may be applied to the degree.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
• No more than two grades of C may be applied to the degree.
• No grades of D may be applied to the degree.
• Possess reading proficiency in a language other than English
• Complete the M.A. in English within five years
• All Resident students are required to enroll in and pass GRST 500 in their first semester.
• Complete the thesis or non-thesis track within the M.A. in English
• Submit a Graduation Application to the Registrar’s Office at the beginning of the final semester.

Program of Study

DEGREE COMPLETION PLANS (DCP)
Degree Completion Plans for the Master of Arts in English program are available online from the Registrar’s webpage at http://www.liberty.edu/dcps.

Department of History

David L. Snead, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Chair, Department of History
Professor of History

Samuel C. Smith, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Director, History Graduate Program
Associate Professor of History

RESIDENTIAL FACULTY
Professor
Schultz; Snead

Associate
Blass; Davis; Mann; Melton; Saxon; Smith, S. C.

Assistant
Smith, C.

Master of Arts in History (M.A.)

PURPOSE
This program complies with regional accreditation standards, and is designed to promote superior academic scholarship and professionalism for those students continuing their education or entering vocations in the field of history.  It seeks to prepare students to understand history's place in God's plan and to meet the challenges posed by history vocations.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to:

1. Apply a Christian worldview in their study of history;
2. Demonstrate knowledge in research methodology;
3. Analyze historiographical positions at a graduate level;
4. Communicate effectively in written and oral form.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC ADMISSION PROCEDURES
In addition to the general admission requirements, specific admission procedures to the Master of Arts in History program are as follows:

1. Applicants should apply at least one semester in advance of enrollment.  Students interested in being considered for a Graduate Assistantship starting in the Fall semester should apply by February 15 and for those starting in the Spring semester by November 15.
2. Official transcripts indicating successful completion of a baccalaureate degree program from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., SACS, TRACS, ABHE, etc.) must be mailed directly from the Registrar of the college(s) attended to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
3. Applicants should hold a cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00 for undergraduate study.  Applicants who do not meet this requirement may be considered for enrollment in the program on a probationary basis but may not qualify for assistantship positions until a 3.00 average is earned in graduate study.  These students are required to take and pass GRST 500 – Introduction to Graduate Writing in their first semester.
4. The Department of History will give preference to applicants who have completed a B.S. or B.A. in History or a related discipline before their first semester of enrollment.  However, the Department will also consider students with degrees from other disciplines.
5. Applicants should have at least 30 semester hours in undergraduate history courses.  Applicants with between 18 and 29 hours in undergraduate history courses may have to take additional history courses beyond those required for the M.A. degree. Those with less than 18 semester hours must take additional history courses beyond those required for the M.A.
6. Applicants are required to submit current GRE scores.  The minimum acceptable scores are 155 (verbal/quantitative) and 3.5 (analytical writing).
7. Applicants must submit a 10-12 page typed sample of a research paper with their application.  The paper should use the Turabian (Chicago Manual) Style for citations and formatting.
8. Applicants must submit a 300- to 500-word statement as to why they want to pursue a M.A. in History at Liberty University.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Arts in History offers two tracks, thesis or non-thesis. Students pursuing the thesis track will take eight graduate courses (24 hours) and then write a thesis (6 hours).  Students pursuing the non-thesis track will take twelve courses (36 hours).  Regardless of track, all students will take 12 hours of core courses as part of their total hours.

TRANSFER CREDIT
Students may transfer up to two graduate level courses (total of 6 credit hours) from an accredited institution subject to department approval.  In order to transfer credit, students must have earned the minimum grade of B; and courses must have been completed within 10 years of the start date of the program. No core courses, except for HIST 500, can be transferred from another institution. Credits from a prior degree earned through Liberty University are considered transfer credits.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Satisfactory completion of all course and/or thesis requirements in either the thesis (30 hours) or non-thesis (36 hours) tracks.  Students must complete all courses with a 3.00 or higher cumulative grade point average.
2. Thesis Option program: A minimum of 24 hours must be completed through Liberty University, not to include credits from a prior degree earned through Liberty.
3. Non-Thesis Option program: A minimum of 30 hours must be completed through Liberty University, not to include credits from a prior degree earned through Liberty.
4. For each option, a maximum of six (6) hours of transfer credit, including credit from a degree one the same academic level previously earned through Liberty, may be applied to the degree.
5. Students must receive at least a B in each of the program’s core courses.
6. No more than two grades of C may be applied to the degree.
7. No grade of D may be applied to the degree.
8. Students pursuing an M.A. in History (thesis-track) with a European emphasis must have completed the equivalent of 12 hours at the undergraduate level in one language other than English or demonstrate a reading competency in a non-English language.
9. Degree must be completed within five years.
10. All Resident students are required to enroll in and pass GRST 500 in their first semester.
11. Submit a Graduation Application to the Registrar’s Office at the beginning of the final semester.

Program of Study

DEGREE COMPLETION PLANS (DCP)
The Degree Completion Plans for the Master of Arts in History program are available online from the Registrar’s webpage at http://www.liberty.edu/dcps.

Department of Philosophy

Gary R., Habermas, B.R.E., M.A., Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Philosophy
Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy

Edward N. Martin, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Co-Chair, Department of Philosophy
Director, Master of Arts in Philosophical Studies
Professor of Philosophy and Theology

RESIDENTIAL FACULTY
Distinguished Research Professor
Habermas

Professor
Baggett, Beck, Foreman, Hinkson, Martin, E., Provenzola

Associate Professor
Jones, M.

Master of Arts in Philosophical Studies (M.A.)

PURPOSE
C. S. Lewis maintained that good philosophy must be maintained and furthered carefully, for at least one very important reason: to answer bad philosophy.  If ideas have consequences, and really bad ideas have really bad consequences--which is certainly born out in all periods of time, including our own--, then we seem justified in holding and hoping that good ideas can have really good consequences.  It is our fervent belief and hope that providing a Christ-centered program in Philosophy and Christian Philosophy will further the mission of our University, in teaching the skills, knowledge, and values (all three critically important classical philosophical terms) to students to positively impact today's world.  The impact on our world will be seen in the graduate's skills of the proper philosophy of technology, work and play; the graduate's knowledge of the nature of key philosophical concepts in metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics and ethics, right and wrong, beautiful and ugly, sacred and profane, being spiritually grounded individuals who relate well with others, being eager to understand and pray and work against injustices in the world of people and against the world itself; and, finally, the graduate's values of the dignity and respect due to persons by dint of our being forged in the image of the true Master Craftsman of our souls and our very lives.  Soli Deo gloria!

The Master of Arts in Philosophical Studies is a residential-only program designed for persons desiring a graduate-level education in Philosophy, Christian Thought/Apologetics, and studies in the Christian worldview, as an excellent basis for graduate work at the doctoral level, or to provide advanced study for personal enrichment in one or more of these areas of research. For the pastor serving in a local church, these programs are suitable for advanced continuing education. However, they are not designed for pastoral training.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to:

1. Apply a Christian worldview in their study of philosophy and related fields;
2. Demonstrate an ability to conduct research at the graduate level with appropriate citation and awareness of research tools and methods;
3. Evaluate major contemporary Christian options in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, apologetics or related disciplines in philosophical studies;
4. Exhibit excellence in written and oral skills, commensurate to the Master's level; and,
5. Understand how to conduct oneself as a Christian researcher guided by a Christian ethical value system.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the general admission procedures, the following regulations will govern admission into the M.A. in Philosophical Studies program:

1. Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00.
2. The applicant must have a minimum score of 900 (a combination of the Verbal and Quantitative scores) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or have successfully completed 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework.
3. The Department of Philosophy will give preference to applicants who have completed a B.A. in Philosophy or a B.A. or B.S. in Religion (or a related discipline) before enrolling in the program.  However, the Department will consider degrees from other disciplines.
4. First-time applicants are asked to submit a written recommendation from a pastor.

An applicant who fails to meet the requirements listed above may be admitted on Probationary status.  Students admitted on Academic Probation must take and pass GRST 500 – Introduction to Graduate Writing their first semester. The deficiencies in prior training may then be satisfied with undergraduate courses. After satisfying admissions requirements and after having completed no more than nine hours toward graduation, the student may then apply for degree candidacy.

TRANSFER CREDIT
Students may transfer up to two graduate level courses (total of 6 credit hours) from an accredited institution subject to department approval.  In order to transfer credit, students must have earned the minimum grade of B; and courses must have been completed within 10 years of the start date of the program. Credits from a prior degree earned through Liberty University are considered transfer credits.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
When possible, students should strive to take THEO 680 during the first Spring semester of their program.  Seminars (PHIL 597, 697) are offered frequently, and on a rotating basis with various topics, and can be taken multiple times for this reason.  The program director can advise you of upcoming courses to be offered and help you determine times and dates of various phases of one’s program.  It should be noted that the MAPS program includes a thesis that normally takes two semesters or more to complete.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Master of Arts in Philosophical Studies students may meet the foreign language requirement in one of the following three manners:

1. Successfully complete 12 undergraduate hours or nine graduate hours of one foreign language with an overall average of B;
2. Successfully perform in a translation examination, with test and score determined by the appropriate department; and
3. Successfully complete a Foreign Language Reading Competency Test developed by the Educational Testing Services of Princeton, NJ.

GRADUATE STUDIES HANDBOOK
Each M.A. in Philosophical Studies (MAPS) student is required to obtain a copy of the Graduate Studies Handbook. This publication gives policies and procedures that are unique to the M.A. program, outlines steps to be followed in securing the mentor for the thesis, as well as deadlines for this process, and provides other information that will assist the MAPS student.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
The M.A. in Philosophical Studies program requires a comprehensive exam over the area of concentration.
Four testing times have been established for comprehensive exams. They are:

1. January (one week prior to first day of second semester)
2. Week following spring vacation
3. August (one week prior to first day of first semester)
4. Week following fall break of Thanksgiving break

The comprehensive exam must be taken no less than one month prior to the month of anticipated graduation.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to general regulations governing graduation, M.A. in Philosophical Studies graduates must meet the following requirements:

1. Must complete 36 semester hours and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in M.A. work.
2. A minimum of 30 semester hours must be completed through Liberty University, not to include credits from a prior degree earned through Liberty.
3. A maximum of six (6) hours of transfer credit, including credit from a degree on the same academic level previously earned through Liberty, may be applied to the degree.
4. No more than two (2) grades of C may be applied to the degree.
5. No grade of D may be applied to the degree.
6. Proficiency in one foreign language for research.
7. Must pass a major comprehensive exam over the area of concentration.
8. Must successfully complete a thesis in the area of concentration which demonstrates research ability with a minimum grade of B.
9. Degree must be completed within five years.
10. All Resident students are required to enroll in and pass GRST 500 in their first semester.
11. Submit a Graduation Application to the Registrar’s Office at the beginning of the final semester.

PROGRAM OF STUDY
A program of study in the M.A. in Philosophical Studies may be constructed by the student in consultation with the appropriate Program Director and the approval of the Academic Dean. The program of study must be developed before the student matriculates, but modifications may be made afterward with the approval of the Program Director. The program of study may be focused entirely on one area or may be a program that integrates the different areas of concentration.  There are two areas of concentration: Philosophy or Christian Thought (Apologetics).

Program of Study

DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN (DCP)
The Degree Completion Plan for the Master of Arts in Philosophical Studies program is available online at http://www.liberty.edu/dcps.

Highlighted text indicates a change from the official version of the catalog.