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Academic Options for MLS Students

The College of Information Studies affords students in the Master of Library Science program a number of academic options. Every student works with an advisor to determine the best course of study for the particular student’s academic interests and career goals. Students have the option of pursuing specializations, concentrations, and a dual degree in History. These academic options will serve to define the core courses, advanced courses, and electives that an MLS student will take.

Specializations

Students may choose to pursue the MLS with a specialization in Archives, Records, and Information Management or in School Library Media. Each of these two CLIS specializations has a predetermined set of courses that must be completed in order for the student to satisfy the specialization’s requirements. Students are advised to decide if they wish to pursue a specialization before they actually begin their MLS studies.

Concentrations

Students may alternativly elect to pursue a concentration at CLIS. There are currently two concentrations approved by the CLIS faculty. One is in Lifelong Access and the other in e-Government. All CLIS concentrations share a common core of required courses and then provide students with a choice of advanced courses unique to each concentration. Students are encouraged to wait until they have completed the core courses before they select a concentration. It is anticipated that additional concentrations or subconcentrations will be developed in the future.
Students who are pursuing a concentration, but do not have relevant work experience in some aspect of the concentration, are encouraged to enroll in field study as one of the elective courses included in the concentration course plan.

Student-Designed Course Plans
MLS students may work with their advisors to define their own course plans, and are certainly not required to pursue a specialization, concentration or dual degree. However, if students have particular career goals, then they are encouraged to consult the Career Course Plans that have been developed to help students with their course planning and to help secure employment upon completion of the MLS degree.

Concentrations - Policy and Procedures

Student Process for Initiating a Concentration

• Prepare a rationale statement and course plan; indicating courses taken, course project(s) and any other activities that correspond to the outcomes specified by the concentration. The course plan should also include concentration courses that the student plans to take.
• Discuss rationale and course plan with advisor.
• Inform the Student Services Office of selection of a concentration and indicate the concentration election on the CLIS registration form.
• Continue to organize and maintain the portfolio. Consult with advisor or member of the current portfolio review committee for input.

Evaluation Process / Recognition of Concentration
Portfolios will be evaluated by a CLIS faculty committee that has representation from the Curriculum Committee, the Admissions & Academic Standards Committee, and a faculty member associated with each of the concentrations.

Students should present their portfolio for initial evaluation at least 10 weeks before graduation. Projects still in progress that will be used to fulfill the concentration requirements should be identified in portfolio table of contents, and then submitted for evaluation upon completion, but not later than the last day of classes.

Upon completion of all degree and concentration requirements, students will receive both a diploma and a document that indicates satisfactory completion of the concentration.

Any questions about the concentrations should be directed to the student’s advisor or the Chairperson of the CLIS Curriculum Committee.