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Master's of Library and Information Studies
The program for the Master of Library and Information Studies degree requires 42 credits, 18 in required core courses and 24 in electives, six of which may be taken in courses outside library science when relevant to the student’s specialization; one course with a major paper requiring significant independent research; and a written comprehensive examination.
Core Courses
All students must take 18 credits of core courses:
- LSC 502 Management of Library and Information Services
- LSC 503 Collection Development
- LSC 504 Reference and Information Services
- LSC 505 Organization of Information
- LSC 508 Introduction to Information Science and Technology
- LSC 557 Research and Evaluation in Library and Information Services.
School Library Media Candidates are required to take both LSC 530 and LSC 531 in lieu of LSC 503 as a core course. Other students may substitute both LSC 530 and LSC 531 together for LSC 503. LSC 503 may still be taken as an elective by these students.
Elective Courses
All students (except those in the School Library Media program) must take 24 credits of electives selected in consultation with an advisor. Prior to the completion of three courses, each student must have an approved Program of Study (POS). Each student's individualized POS includes a combination of core and elective courses designed to meet her or his professional goals. The POS can be modified with proper consultation and prior approval. Students in the School Library Media program should check the requirements outlined on the School Library Media Specialist Program page.
Other Types of Credit
Credit for Courses Taken Prior to Admission:
Subject to the approval of the GSLIS director and the dean of the Graduate School, up to six credits of courses taken prior to admission into the GSLIS program may be counted toward the 42 credits required for the degree.
Credit for Courses Taken at Other Institutions:
University rules permit up to 20 percent of the 42 credit program (9 credits) to be made up of transfer credits for courses taken at another accredited institution. Those courses must be at the graduate level equivalent to URI’s 500 level courses and must be relevant to the student’s program of study. Once admitted into the program, students may take relevant courses at other institutions within the 20 percent limitation providing prior permission has been granted.
Programs of Study
Your program of study specifies which courses you will take for credit toward your MLIS; courses not listed on your program of study will not count. Your advisor will help you plan a program with courses concentrated in your field of interest and related areas to produce a well-developed and coherent program, and will submit your program of study for the approval of the Director of the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies and the Dean of the Graduate School. If you wish to amend your program of study after it is approved, you may file a petition to change it.. You should do so before taking the course(s) not on your original program of study.
Forms:
It is important to consult with your advisor about this during your first semester, since not all courses are applicable to all courses of study. This is most essential if you plan a career in school library media services: to be certified, you must take a carefully defined 39-credit-hour sequence, leaving only one elective. Your program of study must be completed early in your program (no later than after two or three courses have been completed).
Faculty Advisor
Your faculty advisor will help you plan a program of study and complete the academic requirements for the MLIS degree. Your initial advisor is named in your letter of acceptance, and is a faculty member whose area of expertise corresponds to what we know of your interests and background. Your interests may change, and you may change advisors at any time. Consult with your advisor as early as possible in your first semester, or before registering for elective courses. Faculty telephone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on the Faculty page.
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