The Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) degree requires 36 semester hours of course work to complete. Since most courses earn 3 semester hours of credit, normally programs of study will consist of twelve courses. (There is no foreign language requirement, nor is a thesis required, though you have the option of writing a thesis to earn 6 semester hours of credit, or of preparing a Master's Report to earn 3 semester hours of credit.)
Of the 36 hours required for the M.L.I.S. degree, every student is required to take 9 hours in three core courses that introduce and lay a foundation for working in the library and information science field. In course-number order, the three courses are:
Normally, students should take LIS 386.1 during their first term, and LIS 397.1 and
Each of the tracks has two required core courses, which the student must complete to graduate in that track. These track core courses are listed below on the first page of options within each track.
To graduate, you must have taken the three courses of the School's core and the two courses of the core in the track you select.
In planning your program, consult the "Tentative Rotation of Courses" document that identifies terms in which you may expect given courses to be offered. All courses are not offered every term, and some courses are offered more frequently than others.
Many courses have prerequisites which the student must complete before taking the course in question. Prerequisites may be found in the course listings in the Announcement and the Graduate Catalog of the Graduate School.
Students who take 12 hours of planned study beyond the minimum 36 for the master's degree earn an Endorsement of Specialization certificate. For more information on the Endorsement of Specialization, see the most recent Announcement .
In all areas of library and information science, practical experience is strongly advised, if not essential. The faculty urge you to obtain relevant experience through one of three options: a paid job, volunteer work, and/or taking LIS 388K.12, Practicum in Libraries and Other Information Agencies. (Note that 388K.12, Practicum, since it is taken only on a credit/no credit basis, may not be counted toward the 36 hours for the master's degree, but it may be used for an Endorsement of Specialization.)
In some cases, the number of hours recommended for a specialization below totals more than 36. In every case, however, a program of 36 semester hours approved by the faculty adviser is sufficient to earn the master's degree.