Master of Liberal Arts & Science
Degree Requirements
The MLAS is a graduate degree program that culminates in a Master’s degree granted by Vanderbilt University. As such, successful completion of 30 semester hours of academic credit (10 courses) is required for the Master’s degree. At least 21 of those semester hours (7 courses) must be accumulated through MLAS courses. Students have the option of selecting 9 semester hours (3 courses) from the full graduate course offerings of Vanderbilt with approval of the program director. See the section on "Curriculum" for additional detail on courses.
Academic Policy
As a graduate degree program, MLAS follows the academic policies set down in the Graduate School Bulletin of Vanderbilt University. A complete version of these policies may also be found on the Graduate School’s web site: www.vanderbilt.edu/gradschool.
Students must maintain a B average in all course work in order to remain in good standing with the program. MLAS students typically complete only one course each semester, with no more than two courses allowed to be taken during any given semester with approval of the program dean and director. All work must be completed within 6 years of the student’s initial registration. A maximum of 6 semester hours may be transferred from the liberal arts graduate programs of other accredited universities. These hours are counted towards the student’s 9 credit hours of non-MLAS course work. Any transferred courses must carry a grade of B or above, have been completed within the last ten years, and must be approved by the director of the MLAS program and the Graduate School.
Grading System
The grading system in the Graduate School includes the letter grades A, B, C, D, and F. A student will not be granted graduate credit for any course in which a grade less than C is received. The letter I may be used at the discretion of the instructor in those cases in which the student is not able to complete work in the normal time.
Academic Probation
A grade point average of 3.0 is necessary for graduation. Students who fall below an average of 3.0 are placed on probation for one semester. If the student’s performance does not improve during that semester, the Graduate School and the program’s director and dean will decide
whether to dismiss the student or to allow the continuation of probation. If at the end of the second semester the grade point average is still below 3.0, the student may be advised to withdraw or face dismissal. Students who earn a grade point average of 2.0 or less during their first semester are subject to dismissal at the end of that semester.
Intent to Graduate
An Intent to Graduate form must be submitted to the Graduate School at the beginning of the semester in which the student expects to receive a degree. Students should check the University Academic Calendar each semester to determine deadline dates. Intent to Graduate forms are available in the Graduate School office and at the Graduate School Web site.
Commencement
The university holds its annual Commencement ceremony following the spring semester. Degree candidates must have completed successfully all curriculum by the published deadlines to be allowed to participate in the ceremony. A student completing degree requirements in the summer or fall semester will be invited to participate in Commencement the following May; however, the semester in which the degree was actually earned will be the one recorded on the diploma and the student’s permanent record. Students unable to participate in the graduation ceremony will receive their diplomas by mail.
