Advising & Resources

Advising

Students pursuing the MA in Liberal Studies have great latitude to design the degree around personal or career goals. To plan successfully, students need a good sense of how course requirements, electives and capstone options fit their own needs.

MALS students meet with the Graduate Director at least twice during the course of the degree.

  • In the student’s first semester, the Graduate Director meets with each student to answer questions and discuss student goals. The student can bring any concern to the meeting, but the focus is the program’s basic requirements and options. The purpose is to help students make informed choices. In this early stage, students do not commit to an Area of Study or capstone, but rather explore courses across a variety of disciplines.
  • Near the mid-point of the degree, when the student is enrolled in the fifth course, students meet again with the Graduate Director. The purpose of this meeting is to prepare for the Capstone experience: the Thesis or Internship. Students begin to select courses that provide knowledge, skills and contacts suitable for the Capstone project. Those selecting the Thesis Option will be guided toward an appropriate faculty advisor, while those opting for the Internship begin to explore possible placements.

Students may schedule additional advising sessions as needed - when potential problems arise, to discuss progress in the degree, or for any other reason. To schedule an appointment, send an email to the Graduate Director, Professor Carol Quirke (quirkec@oldwestbury.edu); be sure to indicate the topic and personal scheduling constraints.

Resources

school of arts and sciences

Students will have access to the full range of services provided by the participating departments in the School of Arts and Sciences (i.e., American Studies; English; History and Philosophy; Politics, Economics & Law; Psychology; Modern Languages; and Sociology) and the College.

writing center

The Writing Center provides free writing assistance and free non-credit writing workshops. Assistance is available at any stage of the writing process.  You can get help with developing the thesis or main idea, organizing or developing the ideas, the bibliography, grammatical issues or any other writing concerns.

Visit the Writing Center

career planning & development

The Office of Career Planning & Development is here to help students, alumni, and parents with all aspects of the career planning process including self-assessment, workshops, career exploration, career experience and job search or graduate school planning.

Visit Career Planning & Development