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Dean: Dr. Rosemary Hubbard

The School of Arts and Sciences offers four graduate degree programs:

Computer Science: Master of Science

Humanities: Master of Arts

Interior Design: Master of Arts

Literature and Language: Master of Arts

COMPUTER SCIENCE (M.S.)

Department of Mathematics and Computing Sciences

The Master of Science program in Computer Science offers advanced study to prepare students for leadership roles in the design and production of computer software. The program prepares students for careers in industry, teaching, research, and for doctoral studies. Electives may be combined to provide a program tailored to the professional needs of the student. Concentrations in either Software Engineering or Telecommunications are optional.

Upon completion of the program, students should have the knowledge to:

• critically read and evaluate professional and trade literature;
• independently conduct and evaluate research in computer science;
• analyze, design, and develop optimal solutions to real-world problems using advanced methods; and
• exercise leadership roles in the development and maintenance of computer systems.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University requirements, applicants must demonstrate high promise by having earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from an accredited institution with a grade point average of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale and a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). (See note on page 17.) Applicants must also interview with a representative from the School of Arts and Sciences.

Applicants who have an undergraduate degree in a field other than Computer Science will be considered for admission if they complete Marymount’s Post-baccalaureate Computer Science certificate (see page 221), or if they complete the following prerequisite coursework:

• Introduction to Programming (in C++, Java, or another object-oriented language)
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Computer Organization/Hardware
• Differential and Integral Calculus (8 semester credits)
• Discrete Mathematics
• Statistics or Quantitative Analysis

A course in Assembly Language is recommended, but not required.

Students not meeting the prerequisite undergraduate courses for admission to the program must complete undergraduate or certificate courses to prepare for graduate work in Computer Science.

Degree Requirements

A total of 33 graduate credits is required for the degree. Five required core courses are listed below:

CS 500 Language Design (3)

CS 505 Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3)

CS 510 Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science (3)

CS 550 Principles of Operating Systems (3)

CS 610 Graduate Research Seminar in Computer Science (3)

In addition, each student must complete either

CS 698 Master’s Project (3-6) or
CS 699 Master’s Thesis (3-6)

The remaining 12-15 credits are chosen from any graduate course electives in Computer Science using the concentration as a guide.

The Concentrations

Software Engineering

CS 530 Software Engineering (3)

CS 531 Software Development and Implementation (3)

CS 535 Human Engineering Issues in Computer System Design (3)

CS 630 Software Testing and Maintenance (3)

Telecommunications

CS 520 Data Communications (3)

CS 525 Computer Networking (3)

CS 620 Distributed Processing (3)

CS 625 Cryptography and Coding Theory (3)

HUMANITIES (M.A.)

The Master of Arts in Humanities responds to a need of many men and women, already trained in a specialized field, for intellectual enrichment. The program attracts both students who seek to deepen their undergraduate study in the humanities and students who are experiencing interest in the humanities after developing careers in other fields.

The graduate curriculum offered by the School of Arts and Sciences permits students to shape interdisciplinary programs that ensure broad education while providing for the pursuit of specialized work. For example, the professional teacher seeking state endorsement in a special area in addition to the master’s degree may acquire both. Or an accountant seeking a few technical courses may combine these with the enrichment of the Humanities requirements.

An insight into the interrelations of ideas from the humanities, the history of the sciences, and the value of the arts serves not only to develop personal intellectual growth, but also sharpens judgment in professional, civic, and interpersonal decision making.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University requirements, to be admitted to a master’s candidacy in Humanities the applicant must present the following:

• a bachelor’s degree;
• official transcripts of all postsecondary education reflecting a grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. Transcripts must be delivered in sealed envelopes that bear the registrar’s signature and/or seal;
• two years of successful career experience as evidenced by two letters of recommendation from employers or educators;
• an autobiographical essay, prepared by the applicant, describing past educational and career experiences and stating the benefits expected from participation in the graduate Humanities program;
• a completed application with the nonrefundable application fee of $35; and
• an interview with an official representative of the School of Arts and Sciences.

Note: Applicants who wish to pursue the secondary teaching licensure track must also submit GRE scores. (See note on page 17.)

Transfer and Nondegree Matriculation

A maximum of 6 semester credits of transferred graduate credits may be applied toward the degree if approved by the School dean and the registrar.

Applicants desiring enrollment for limited coursework may do so as nondegree students. A nondegree student may apply for degree candidacy upon successful completion of one Humanities Seminar or contemporary Focus Course and fulfillment of all admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

Candidates complete 9 credits in Humanities Seminars, 6 credits in Focus Courses, 3 credits in a Master’s Project, and 12 credits of electives. Electives may be graduate courses from the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, and Education and Human Services. This is a 30-credit master’s degree program.

Humanities Seminars

Each seminar centers upon some extended development in the history of Western ideas and provides a basis for examining those fundamental questions and ideas that have shaped the past and persist in the present. The principal purpose of the seminar requirement is to establish a sense of the historical foundation of the humanities and to introduce the methodology of various disciplines. In addition, the seminars encourage a sharpening of communication skills through discussion of major ideas and written assignments. The scope of a seminar course fits one of three divisions of the history of Western ideas: classical/medieval; 15th century through 18th century; or 19th century through 20th century.

Focus Courses

Focus Courses advance program objectives by strongly emphasizing the interdisciplinary approach to the humanist ideas and stressing the interrelationships of disciplines involved. Focus Courses are distinguished from the seminars in that they may center upon either a limited area of concentration or a particular application of ideas to an interpretation of the world in which we live. Students should refer to graduate courses in English and Politics for additional options.

Master’s Project

The Master’s Project is an independent interdisciplinary report that demonstrates the student’s ability to integrate materials from various disciplines, support independent conclusions, and communicate the results in writing. Unlike the traditional master’s thesis, which emphasizes original research and the use of primary sources within a single discipline, the Master’s Project must demonstrate an ability to relate material from at least two fields of study. Examples of interdisciplinary projects might be a study of the influence of a technological problem on public policy, drawing on materials in science, sociology, and ethics; or an examination of special problems in the aging process based upon history, psychology, and literature.

An individual advisory committee is responsible for guiding the student through each phase of the Master’s Project. This includes the approval of both an initial proposal and the final product. A formal initial proposal must be approved before a student begins work on a project. The proposal must include a statement and discussion of purpose, the methodology to be used, and a projection of the final product.

Teaching Licensure in Secondary English

The Master of Arts in Humanities: Teaching Licensure in Secondary English is available to students who have earned the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in English. The program provides continued intellectual growth in literature and related fields, as well as the professional preparation for licensure and a career in teaching secondary school English.

Contact the department chair for information about additional program requirements.

Add-on Endorsement in ESL

For students who already hold licensure in Secondary English, an add-on endorsement in ESL may be obtained as well. Contact the department chair for information about additional program requirements.

INTERIOR DESIGN (M.A.)

Department of Interior Design

The M. Wilhelmina Boldt Interior Design Program offers two tracks leading to a Master of Arts in Interior Design. Track One is a post-professional degree for those with an undergraduate degree in Interior Design or a closely related field. Track Two, a first professional degree, is for those with a baccalaureate degree not in Interior Design or a closely related field. Applicants must complete a series of undergraduate prerequisites and admission requirements before final admission to this program.

The program’s mission is to educate professional interior designers to work effectively within contemporary constraints in a changing society and profession and to formulate design concepts for a better human environment.

The graduate program builds on a Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER)-accredited undergraduate program with specific objectives:

• to nurture intellectual growth and an increased capacity to engage in design practice, education, and research;
• to develop proficiency in a specific aspect of the profession of interior design;
• to further strengthen the knowledge, skills, and techniques necessary to the competent practice of interior design; and
• to develop and conduct research that will increase the body of knowledge in the field.

Track One: Post-Professional Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is made on a full- or part-time basis for the fall, spring, and summer graduate sessions. Applicants who have or will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the graduate program must provide the following items to be considered for admission:

• a completed application with the nonrefundable application fee of $35;
• proof of a professional degree in Interior Design, or its equivalent, in the form of an official transcript of all postsecondary coursework.
• two letters of recommendation from educators or employers who can attest to the applicant’s potential for graduate work;
• acceptable test scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or evidence of passing the examination of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) (See note on page 17.);
• a letter from the applicant including a statement of personal goals, objectives, motivations, and intended area of concentration;
• a portfolio of student or professional design work demonstrating creative ability and professional competence (presented during interview);
• an interview with an official representative of the School of Arts and Sciences.
• Any related degree must demonstrate completion of an equivalent series of prerequisites that assures understanding of a common body of knowledge within the field. If a departmental review of students’ previous coursework reveals deficiencies in the common body of knowledge, students may be required to complete undergraduate prerequisite course(s).

A maximum of 6 semester credits of transfer graduate credit may be applied toward the degree if approved by the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and the registrar. Students are expected to complete the general core and Interior Design core requirements at Marymount University.

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Interior Design must be completed within five years of initial registration unless extenuating circumstances exist and an extension is authorized by the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

International Students

In addition to meeting all admission requirements of the graduate program, all degree and nondegree applicants for whom English is a second language are required to have a minimum score of 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary institution where the language of instruction is English are exempt from this requirement.

Track One: Post Professional-Degree Requirements

A total of 34 graduate credit hours is required for the Master of Arts in Interior Design degree.

ID Core Requirements (16 credits)

ID 507 Advanced Design Studio I (3)

ID 508 Advanced Design Studio II (3)

ID 520 Research and Development in Interior Design (3)

ID 526 Current Issues in Interior Design (3)

ID 599 Thesis or Design Research Project (4)

ID Electives (select 18 credits)

ID 509 Advanced Design Studio III (3)

ID 513 Computer-aided Drafting and Design (3)

ID 522 Environmental Behavior (3)

ID 523 Methodology, Theory, Criticism (3)

ID 524 Design Methods (3)

ID 525 Health Care Design (3)

ID 535 Illumination and Acoustical Design (3)

ID 536 Technology for Interior Design (3)

ID 552 American Interiors (3)

ID 553 Modern Design and Architecture (3)

ID 554 Historic Preservation (3)

ID 555 Historic Interiors (3)

ID 556 Historic Research, Documentation, and Design (3)

ID 590 Practicum (3)

ID 595 Directed Research (3)

Additional courses are available in other areas of the graduate curricula including Business Administration, Human Resources, Humanities, and Psychology. Approval must be received prior to registration.

Students are required to have their own laptop computers.

The Prospectus

Before beginning a thesis or design research project, students must complete the Application for Development of Written/Design Thesis Proposal, which names the Thesis/Project committee and includes the Prospectus. The Prospectus describes the research topic or design project, its objectives and significance, important related literature, the research design, and design process. The application and Prospectus must be submitted at least one semester before registering for the final ID 599 credits. Students typically register for one credit of ID 599 to write the Prospectus.

The Thesis or Design Research Project

All candidates are required to complete a written thesis or design research project. A student is eligible to propose a thesis or design problem upon successful completion of the core course requirements and the written comprehensive examination. For the thesis, a final oral examination will be conducted by the assigned thesis committee. For the design project, students must exhibit their work in a public forum.

Track Two: First-Professional Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is made on a full- or part-time basis. Applicants who have or will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university before enrollment in the graduate program must provide the following items to be considered for admission:

• a completed application with the nonrefundable application fee of $35;
• official transcripts showing all postsecondary coursework and proof of undergraduate degree completion; and
• two letters of recommendation from educators or employers who can attest to the applicant’s potential for graduate work.

A maximum of 6 semester credits of transfer graduate credit may be applied toward the degree if approved by the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and the registrar. Students are expected to complete the general core and Interior Design core requirements at Marymount University.

A student who is attempting to enter the Track II graduate program may simultaneously enroll in up to 3 graduate ID courses (with permission of the advisor/instructor) before he/she has completed all prerequisites for the graduate program. However, the student must still apply, fulfill all requirements, and be accepted into the graduate program before becoming a candidate for a Master of Arts degree in Interior Design.

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Interior Design must be completed within five years of initial registration unless extenuating circumstances exist and an extension is authorized by the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

International Students

In addition to meeting all admission requirements of the graduate program, all degree and nondegree applicants for whom English is a second language are required to have a minimum score of 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary institution where the language of instruction is English are exempt from this requirement.

Track Two: First-Professional Degree Requirements

A total of 49 graduate credit hours is required for the First-Professional Master of Arts in Interior Design degree. Twenty-one (21) undergraduate credits are required before final admission to the program. Admission is selective. Students who are not admitted can complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design.

Track Two: Program Prerequisites

Before final admission to the master’s program, applicants must complete or transfer equivalencies for the following courses:

FA 481 Design (4)

ID 426 Current Issues in Interior Design (3)

ID 485 Accelerated Architectural Graphics (4)

ID 487 Accelerated Interior Design Studio (4)

ID 214 Architectural Graphics III (3)

ID 231 Textiles and Finish Materials (3)

Upon successful completion of the undergraduate prerequisites, students are eligible for final admission to the master’s program. Applicants will be reviewed according to the following admission requirements:

• acceptable test scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT);
• 3.0 or better GPA on prerequisite courses;
• portfolio review and interview;
• statement of goals, objectives, and proposed concentration; and
• recommendations by Interior Design faculty.

ID Core Requirements (37 credits)

ID 503 Interior Design III (3)

ID 504 Interior Design IV (3)

ID 507 Advanced Design Studio I (3)

ID 508 Advanced Design Studio II (3)

ID 532 Building Technology (3)

ID 533 Lighting Design (3)

ID 534 Business Procedures (3)

ID 550 History of Interiors I (3)

ID 551 History of Interiors II (3)

ID History elective (3)

ID 520 Research and Development in Interior Design (3)

ID 599 Thesis or Design Research Project (4)

ID Electives (select 12 credits)

ID 522 Environmental Behavior (3)

ID 523 Methodology, Theory, Criticism (3)

ID 524 Design Methods (3)

ID 525 Health Care Design (3)

ID 535 Illumination and Acoustical Design (3)

ID 536 Technology for Interior Design (3)

ID 549 Advanced Design Studio III (3)

ID 552 American Interiors (3)

ID 553 Modern Design and Architecture (3)

ID 554 Historic Preservation (3)

ID 555 Historic Interiors (3)

ID 556 Historic Research, Documentation, and Design (3)

ID 590 Practicum (3)

ID 595 Directed Research (3)

The Prospectus

Before beginning a thesis or design research project, students must complete the Application for Development of Written/Design Thesis Proposal, which names the Thesis/Project committee and includes the Prospectus. The Prospectus describes the research topic or design project, its objectives and significance, important related literature, the research design, and design process. The application and Prospectus must be submitted at least one semester before registering for the final ID 599 credits. Students typically register for 1 credit of ID 599 to write the Prospectus.

Thesis or Design Research Project

All candidates for the Master of Arts degree must complete a written thesis or design research project. A student is eligible to propose a thesis or design problem upon successful completion of the core course requirements. For the thesis, a final oral examiniation will be conducted by the assigned thesis committee. For the design project, students must exhibit their work in a public forum. All students must be registered the semester they complete ID 599 requirements.

LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE (M.A.)

Department of Literature and Languages

The Master of Arts in Literature and Language offers students the opportunity for intellectual enrichment in one of the traditional liberal arts disciplines while also offering those interested in the study of Literature and Language the opportunity for career enhancement through advanced study. It serves a variety of professional purposes and audiences–particularly teachers from the intermediate to the community college level. Through close consultation with an advisor, a student may choose courses that will either address gaps in educational background or provide concentrated study that will lead to specialization in a more advanced degree.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Universitywide requirements, applicants must present:

• a bachelor’s degree with a major in English or a major in a humanities discipline with at least 18 credits in English (9 at the 300 or above level) or a major in any interdisciplinary humanities program;
• official transcripts of all postsecondary education reflecting a grade point average (overall or in the major) of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale; and
• a sample critical paper.

Transfer and Nondegree Matriculation

A maximum of 6 semester credits of transferred graduate credits may be applied toward the degree if approved by the School dean and the registrar.

Applicants desiring enrollment for limited coursework may do so as nondegree students.

Degree Options

Candidates pursuing this degree may choose either of the following options:

• 30 credits, including a 3-credit Master’s Project and a language requirement which involves intermediate proficiency or passing grade on a reading test; (those planning to pursue doctoral work should choose this option), or
• 36 credits without a Master’s Project or language requirement.

Degree Requirements

For the 30-credit option, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements: EN 540; 6 credits from designated language courses (EN 550 if student has no undergraduate linguistic course, EN 524, EN 552, EN 554, EN 558); 9 credits in graduate literature courses; 9 additional credits in Literature or Language (may include up to 6 credits in Humanities Seminars); and EN 595. Candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language.