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Master of Liberal Studies

MLS > Graduate Project Thesis

Thesis Options

  1.  Traditional Thesis. Original research or analysis encompassing literature from 2 of the 3 schools (Arts & Letters, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences). The thesis must be written in scholarly format, with the appropriate citation format and extensive references. The literature review developed for the thesis proposal should serve as the initial component of the thesis.                                        Typical thesis length: 50 or more pages
  2. Creative Project. Students who are focusing their MLS program on a creative field may complete a creative project for their MLS thesis. Creative work may include writing, art, performance, etc. The creative work must be accompanied by an explanatory essay encompassing material from 2 of the 3 schools. The essay must be written in scholarly format, with appropriate citation format and appropriate references. The literature review developed for the thesis proposal may serve as the basis of the explanatory essay.                                                                                           Typical length of explanatory essay: 20 to 35 pages
  3. Peer-Reviewed Publication. Students may focus their thesis project work toward a peer-reviewed publication in a professional forum. Examples include articles in professional journals, investigative journalism published in a major newspaper, or a book published by a reputable press. The publication must be accompanied by an explanatory essay encompassing material from 2 of the 3 schools. The essay must be written in scholarly format, with appropriate citation format and appropriate references. The literature review developed for the thesis proposal may serve as the basis of the explanatory essay.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Typical length of explanatory essay: 20 to 35 pages
  4. Applied Project. Students may focus their research project on their current place of employment, internship, or practicum. The applied project should be designed to benefit both the student and the employer and can be focused narrowly on a specific issue or problem relevant to the employer. Complete literature review and effectively designed method will support the value of the project.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Typical length: 50 or more pages
  5. Student-Designed Thesis Project. If the student is interested in a project that does not fit into any of the previous categories, the student can propose a thesis project. The thesis proposal must outline how the project meets each of the elements of the Thesis Project Checklist. Complete literature review and effectively designed method will help the student demonstrate that the project meets the interdisciplinary graduate level requirements of the MLS program.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Typical length: 50 or more pages.

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Thesis Road Map

The thesis road map.

The thesis road map provides a suggested framework for an MLS thesis project. Every project is different and may vary from this road map as appropriate.

Thesis Project Responsibilities

The thesis work that MLS students undertake is designed to be interdisciplinary in nature. As a result, the conduct and product of their research may be unfamiliar to faculty from a "uni-disciplinary" background. This document outlines the responsibilities of all parties.

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Sample Thesis Topics

Most copies are available in the Library Reference Section
  1. The Face of a River
  2. The Children of Dorosen
  3. Galloping of the Glen
  4. Propaganda of WWII
  5. Equal Protection for the Intimate Associations
  6. An Integrated Marketing Communications Proposal
  7. Everything is going to be okay . . . Isn't It?
  8. Perceptions of Leadership Behavior
  9. Barbara Kingsolver's The Bean Trees as Women's Regionalist Fiction
  10. Jasper: Community of Industry
  11. God's House: Selected Churches of Indiana
  12. A Life in Layers: Digital Molas Inspired by the Kuna Indians of Panama
  13. Louisville's Social Reform Movement as seen through the Life of Jennie C. Benedict
  14. I'm not that Old and You're not that Beautiful: An Investigation of Communication Barriers in the Gay Community
  15. A Paradigmatic Construct for Science and Mathematics
  16. Cross Gendered Communications in University Classrooms
  17. Women and Body Image

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