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Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions and Financial Aid
Q: Do I need to take the GRE or MAT to attend graduate school at URI?
A: The GRE and MAT are waived if you have a 3.0 or higher GPA for your undergraduate degree, or if you have already completed a graduate degree.
Q: I'm not sure if all of my application materials are complete. Who may I contact to check?
A: Contact Jan Hromi at janice_hromi@mail.uri.edu OR 401-874-2878.
Q: What is the deadline for submitting the application materials?
A: The completed application and all supporting documents must be received by June 15 for Fall admission, October 15 for Spring admission, and March 15 for Summer admission.
Q: If I wish to do a dual degree, do I apply to one or both programs?
A: If you are applying as a dual degree student, you must apply to each program individually. This means sending each department their own admission documents and requirements. If you have any questions regarding the procedures,
Q: Where can I find information on the cost of tuition?
A: Tuition information can be found on the Enrollment Services webpage . For the cost of GSLIS courses offered at the University of New Hampshire and Worcester State College, see the semester's course list.
Q: What financial aid is available?
A: Information for various financial options are here.
Q: What is the deadline for submitting financial aid applications?
A: For university-wide financial assistance, the application package must be received by January 15 for Fall admission. For GSLIS and other financial assistance, see our Financial Aid section.
Q: I am a prospective student and would like to set up an appointment to speak to a faculty member. When can I do this? Who should I contact?
A: Please contact Jan Hromi, at: janice_hromi@mail.uri.edu OR 401-874-2878.
Q: If I join a professional association, is it true that GSLIS will reimburse me for $25, one time only? What is the procedure for getting reimbursed?
A: GSLIS will reimburse you for $25 for your first-time student membership in a professional association.
Funds for this reimbursement come from the Lucille Chernack Professional Development Fund .
Academic Life Support
Q: How do I register for courses?
A: You register for courses through the eCampus website. FAQs and a step-by-step guide to eCampus are included here. (Have you talked with your advisor yet?)
Q: Where can I get textbooks?
A: The URI Bookstore in the Student Union on campus carries most all of the text books required for courses.
Q: What are my textbooks?
A: Once textbooks are available in the URI bookstore, you can browse books by course .
Q: Can I get syllabi before class starts?
A: If syllabi are available before the first day of class, they may be available online. Check the Course listings for that semester.
Q: I need to get onto the e-campus system. How do I do that?
A: From the URI homepage, you can navigate to ecampus, through the students link. First-time users can register for ecampus here.
Q: What is my password for WebCT?
A: Your initial password for WebCT is your birthday, as in, xx/xx/xxxx. For example, if your birthday is July 26, 1973, your initial password is 07261973. (When you change it, pick something you won't forget.)
Advisement and Programs of Study
Q: Who is my advisor?
A: Your initial advisor is named in your acceptance materials. Find contact information here. Your initial advisor is assigned on the basis of your perceived interests at the time of admission, and you may change advisor at any time.
Q: How can I change advisors?
A: A 'Change of Advisor' form must be completed, signed by your new advisor, and returned to Jan Hromi. The forms are available here or in hard copy format in the Student Affairs Office.
Q: What will my advisor help me do?
A: Your advisor will help you with academic and administrative issues in the program, e.g.: selecting courses and planning your program of study; choosing a faculty supervisor for an Professional Field Experience (LSC 595) or Independent Work (LSC 593); or getting a leave of absence.
Q: I'm not sure what concentration I would like to follow. Who should I talk to?
A: Speak with your advisor. You can find advisors' contact info and current office hours on our People page .
Q: What if I need help while my advisor's not available?
A: Contact another faculty member or the director for help with academic issues, and Janice Hromi for administrative issues.
Q: What courses should I take my first semester?
A: Speak with your advisor. It's advisable to take one or more core courses your first semester. LSC 504 (Reference and Information Services) and LSC 508 (Introduction to Information Science and Technology) are frequently recommended for your first semester.
Q: Does it matter what order courses I take courses in?
A: In terms of workload, it is not recommended to take LSC 504 (Reference and Information Services) in conjunction with LSC 505 (Organization of Information).
Q: What is a Program of Study?
A: The P.O.S. is a road map. It outlines a selection of courses that will support your professional objectives. It is a requirement for graduation: You must complete the courses on your P.O.S., as approved by the Graduate School. Find a form here.
Q: How do I do a Program of Study?
A: Start by consulting with your advisor. Your initial advisor is named in your acceptance materials. Find contact information in our People section.
Q: Why should I complete a Program of Study at the beginning of my MLIS career?
A: It helps you get a coherent overview of what you want to accomplish in the program. Also, aggregating programs of study helps GSLIS estimate course demand and plan in advance.
Q: Can I change my Program of Study?
A: Yes, and there will be good reasons to do so. GSLIS may offer new courses, or your interests may change. The first time you change your program of study, use this form. The next time, submit a new program of study and write "Replacement" on the top.
Q: Where are the Program of Study forms?
A: P.O.S. forms are available either here or in hard copy form in the Student Affairs Office.
Q: I was supposed to get a copy of my Program of Study back after its approval. Where can I find it?
A: The signed POS form is in your file in the Student Affairs Office. Please request a copy from Jan Hromi.
Q: I took courses before entering GSLIS. They are on my Program of Study, but they don't show up on my e-Campus record. How do I fix the problem?
A: It isn't a problem unless teh courses are over five years old. When it's time for you to graduate, an audit will match your POS to the courses you have taken. As long as you have taken all the courses on your approved POS within the past five years, you have met the course requirement for graduation.
Q: I took GSLIS courses over five years ago and want to count them towards graduation. What should I do?
A: Consult with your advisor about having the courses reinstated by examination.
Q: I would like to complete Professional Field Experience (PFE). Who should I speak to about various opportunities?
A: Speak with your advisor about potential PFE sites.
Q: What is the difference between Professional Field Experience and an Independent Study?
A: For the Professional Field Experience a student works under the joint supervision of a faculty supervisor and a qualified site supervisor at a library or information agency; the Independent Study is an approved project done under faculty supervision.
Information Literacy Instruction Certificate
Q: What is the Information Literacy Instruction Certification?
A: The Information Literacy Instruction Certificate (ILIC) is 15-credit post-baccalaureate certificate recently introduced at URI.
Q: I would like to be an ILIC student; is there anything special I need to do?
A: You need to fill out an ILIC program of study form, which is available here or in hard copy form in the Student Affairs Office.
Comprehensive Exams
Q: What are "comps"?
A: "Comps" is short for comprehensive exam, the written test that all GSLIS students must pass before graduating from the program. For more, check here.
Q: When do I need to take comps?
A: You must take comps your final semester.
Q: How do I register for comps?
A: You must fill out and submit a "Nomination for Graduation" form to the Student Affairs Office.
Campus Survival
Q: How do I get a Kingston parking pass?
A: Instructions for obtaining a parking pass are obtained at the URI Office of Parking Services website .
Q: Is there any available information about housing around Kingston?
A: Information for on-campus graduate housing is available on the URI Department of Housing and Residential Life website . There is a website with many resources for GSLIS students who wish to obtain off-campus housing . As always, Craigslist is useful for finding off-campus housing in all areas of Rhode Island.
Q: I have a course at Worcester State, Providence, or UNH. How do I get there?
A: There are maps and directions to all regional program locations available here .
Q: What if I have a question that I don't see listed here?
A: Please contact Janice Hromi at janice_hromi@mail.uri.edu OR 401-874-2878.
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