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Graduate School of Library and Information Studies

Master's of Library and Information Studies

The program for the Master of Library and Information Studies degree requires 36 credits of course work; at least one course with a major paper requiring significant independent research; and a written comprehensive examination. student presenting poster


Core Courses

Each student 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 (Library Resources for Children) and LSC 531 (Library Resources for 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 15 credits of electives selected in consultation with an advisor. With the advisor's approval, six elective credits may be taken in courses outside library science but 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 GSLIS courses taken prior to admission into the MLIS program may be counted toward the 36 credits required for the degree.

Credit for Courses Taken at Other Institutions:
University rules permit up to 20 percent of the 36 credit program (6 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 after obtaining prior approval.

 

 

See Advising for information about working with your faculty advisor to construct a Program of Study, etc.