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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 of course work; one course with a major paper requiring significant independent research; and a written comprehensive examination.
Core Courses
All students must take 21 credits of core courses. Five are to be taken early in the program and are frequently listed as prerequisites to other 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
The other two are to be taken later in the program:
- LSC 557 Research and Evaluation in Library and Information Services (3 credits; prerequisite, completion of 15 credits or permission of instructor)
- LSC 595 Professional Field Experience (3 credits required; prerequisite, completion of 18 credits or permission of instructor)
School Library Media candidates are required to take both LSC 530 (Reading Interests of Children) and LSC 531 (Reading Interests of Young Adults). Students who take both these courses are permitted to waive LSC 503 (Collection Development), but may still take it as an elective.
School Library Media candidates are required to take LSC 596 (School Library Media Practicum and Seminar), and may not take LSC 595 (Professional Field Experience).
Elective Courses
All students (except those in the School Library Media program) must take 21 credits of electives selected in consultation with an advisor. Six elective credits may be taken in courses outside library science when relevant to the student’s specialization.
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
By the end of the first semester, each student, with the help of a faculty advisor, must develop a Program of Study (POS) combining core and elective courses to meet individualized professional goals. The advisor will submit the POS for approval by the Director of GSLIS, and the Dean of the Graduate School. The program of study specifies which courses will count for credit toward the student’s MLIS; courses not listed will not count. As goals and opportunities change, the POS can be modified; the student should consult a faculty advisor and petition for change before taking courses not listed on the original POS.
Forms:
Candidates for School Library Media certification must adhere to the requirements outlined on the School Library Media Specialist Program page.
Faculty Advisor
The faculty advisor should be consulted for
- advice on course selection
- help in planning or amending the program of study
- advice on transfer credits, leaves of absence, and other administrative procedures
The initial advisor is named in the letter of acceptance, and is a faculty member whose area of expertise corresponds to the student’s known interests and background. The student may change advisors, with the consent of the new advisor, by notifying the GSLIS Student Affairs Office. Faculty telephone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on the Faculty page.
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