Students earning the MS (LIS) degree as a single degree must complete 36 total credits of coursework, including 9 credits of Core Curriculum courses. The LIS core curriculum serves two purposes: providing an introduction to foundational aspects of the discipline of library and information science and preparing students for success in the degree program. These courses provide the framework of knowledge and understanding that is unique to the profession and upon which all other services and areas are based. They will provide students with a common experience upon which to advance in the field.
All students must complete the following three core courses within their first 12 credit hours (first 4 courses).
- LIS 407: Information Sources & Services
- LIS 415: Information Organization
- LIS 488: Technology for Informational Professionals (Students in SLT Concentration take LIS 460 Technology and the School Library Teacher)
In addition to the above three core curriculum courses common to all, students could have additional course requirements depending on their concentration:
- Design Your Own
- Archives Management
- Cultural Heritage Informatics
- Information Science & Technology
- School Library Teacher
- LIS Students Beginning the Program in Fall 2016 and Thereafter
In the Spring of 2016, the faculty decided that three courses will be required of all students, regardless of program. These courses provide the framework of knowledge and understanding that is unique to the profession and upon which all other services and areas are based, and, therefore, will provide students with a common experience upon which to advance in the field.
All students entering the program in fall 2016 and thereafter must complete the three core courses within their first 12 credit hours or 4 courses (see below for exceptions).
Students earning the MS (LIS) degree as a single degree must complete 36 total credits of coursework:
Three (3) Core Courses
- LIS 407: Information Sources & Services
- LIS 415: Information Organization
- LIS 488: Technology for Informational Professionals*
*Students in the School Library Teacher Program (SLTP) take LIS 460 (Technology and the School Library Teacher) instead of LIS 488.
Visit Course Descriptions – All Courses for descriptions of the above courses.
Nine (9) Additional Courses
Students will choose the nine additional courses for their degree depending on academic program (Design Your Own, Archives Management, Cultural Heritage, or School Library Teacher Program). Please see the SLIS main page for links to each program and details on specific program requirements.
- LIS Students Beginning the Program in Fall 2013 and Thereafter
Over the course of the 2011-2012 academic year, a faculty committee determined that three courses would be required of all students, regardless of program, and that two additional requirements would be chosen from a menu of options. These courses provide the framework of knowledge and understanding that is unique to the profession and upon which all other services and areas are based, and, therefore, will provide students with a common experience upon which to advance in the field. This change goes into effect for students entering in Fall 2013 and thereafter.
Students who began the program between 2013 and 2016 and who anticipate completing the program between 2015 and 2022 should have already decided whether they will continue to follow the curriculum described below or if they will follow the new curriculum described in “LIS Students Beginning the Program in Fall 2016 and Thereafter” (above). Students who matriculated between 2013 and 2016 and who would like to follow the “Fall 2016 and Thereafter” curriculum should contact their advisors to affect this change.
36 Credits total.
Five (5) Core Courses
- LIS 401: Foundations of Library and Information Science
- LIS 415: Information Organization
- LIS 407: Reference/Information Services
- LIS 488: Technology for Informational Professionals
- Capstone Experience (Prerequisite: LIS 403, LIS 404, LIS 406, and/or LIS 442, depending on course.)*
* As of Spring 2016 the Capstone Experience is no longer required.
Visit Course Descriptions – All Courses for descriptions of the above courses.
- LIS Students Beginning the Program Prior to Fall 2013
LIS students who entered the master of science program prior to 2013 are required to complete the five core courses listed below, in no particular sequence. While these core courses are required of all students, students participating in the Archives Management concentration and School Library Teacher Program may be required to complete comparable and discipline-specific courses in lieu of one or more requirements.
36 Credits total.
Five (5) Core Courses
- LIS 403: Evaluation of Information
- LIS 404: Principles of Management
- LIS 407: Reference/Information Services
- LIS 415: Information Organization
- LIS 488: Technology for Information Professionals*
*School Library Teacher Program (SLTP) students take LIS 460 (Technology and the School Library Teacher) instead of LIS 488
Visit Course Descriptions – All Courses for course descriptions of the above courses.
Seven (7) Additional Courses
Students will choose the seven additional courses for their degree depending on academic program (DYO, Archives Management, or School Library Teacher Program). Please see the SLIS main page for links to each program and details on specific program requirements.