The Master's Degree in Library and
Information Science (MLIS)
- Course Selection
- Course Load
- LIBR 203: Online Social Networking
- Core Courses
- Research Methods
- Electives
- LIBR 289 or 299
The program leading to the degree of Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) requires the successful completion of 43 units, including work that satisfies the requirement of a culminating experience in compliance with University regulations and School policies.
Note: The 43 units applies to all students entering in Fall 2008. Students already in the program are required to complete 42 units. They are not required to take LIBR 203: Online Social Networking.
All courses are offered totally online. Our students interact with peers and instructors through web conferencing, social networking platforms, a web–based learning management system, and immersive environments. Most course content is delivered asynchronously – giving our students the freedom to access the course at any time they choose, from any location. Some courses also include occasional "live" synchronous sessions.
By using sophisticated technology, our students are better prepared to successfully navigate a rapidly changing information landscape and apply technology in their professional lives.
Please note: The School does not have a separate on campus and online program. We offer one MLIS degree delivered completely online.
See more about SLIS online learning: slisweb.sjsu.edu/slis/disted.htm.
The MLIS program has a tripartite central core from which the rest of the curriculum evolves allowing the student to gain in–depth knowledge and experience in "arenas of excellence". These arenas of excellence (see program specializations) are designed to respond quickly and meaningfully to the rapidly changing forces that are shaping professional practice in this field. Following this philosophy, the School does not require specific advanced courses that a student must take to prepare for a desired career path. Rather, we encourage students to build on their strengths and interests, taking into consideration the knowledge and skills generally sought by employers in that sector of the market. In addition, we encourage students to take courses outside of the School.
Course Selection
All courses are offered online only.
See the list of program specializations. These tracks provide guidance to the students in making decisions about which advanced courses to take. They enumerate the courses which employers will often expect students to have taken. The student, in consultation with his or her adviser, can plan the most appropriate course of study. However, many students prefer to take a variety of courses from different tracks and the curriculum permits that flexibility.
Note: Students do not "declare" a specialization. All students get an MLIS Degree. The specializations are ways to help you select classes that will prepare you to work in particular subdisciplines. They are part of our advising process.
Course Load
The MLIS degree requires completion of 43 units. Most classes are three units — with some 1 and 2 unit classes. Consequently, it takes approximately 15 courses to earn the Master's of Library and Information Science degree.
Note: The 43 units applies to all students entering in Fall 2008. Students already in the program are required to complete 42 units. They are not required to take LIBR 203: Online Social Networking.
The courses in this program are difficult and require substantial work and time. Every course hour in a graduate-level course can require a minimum of 3 hours of your work outside of the "class" and may require more depending on the complexity of the material. Most students carry between 1 – 3 courses per semester. Other obligations such as work and family should be carefully considered when deciding how many courses to take. Dropping classes after the deadlines early in the semester can be problematic and expensive. We recommend that you be conservative in the number of classes you take each semester.
It can take from 2 to 7 years to complete the program. The University does not apply credits earned more than 7 years before graduation toward a Master's Degree.
Here is one full time scenario — obviously a student can configure this differently depending on whether they start in Fall or Spring.
Fall -10 units (200, 202, 203, 204)
Spring -9 units (3 classes)
Summer -6 units (2 classes)
Fall -9 units (3 classes)
Spring -6 units (2 classes)
Summer -3 units (1 class)
LIBR 203: Social Networking Course
All new students beginning with those entering Fall 2008 are required to take LIBR 203: Online Social Networking: Technology and Tools, a 1 unit CR/NC class. This class will be totally online and will have to be completed within the first 4 weeks of the first semester. Any student who does not complete the class will be withdrawn from the program.
Core Courses
The following three core courses are required of all students and must be taken within the first 16 units.
LIBR 200 Information and
Society
LIBR 202 Information
Retrieval
LIBR 204
Information Organizations and Management
Students should be aware that the School has adopted a stringent policy on completing the three core classes within the first 16 units. While there is no required or preferred sequence for taking the three core courses, students should be aware that one or more of the core classes might be a prerequisite for an advanced class. No waiver or exception to this policy is permitted.
Effective Spring 2009, all core classes must be completed with a grade of B or better.
Research Methods
All students must complete LIBR 285 (Research Methods) before graduating. LIBR 285 (Research Methods) will be offered with different areas of focus. Students may select any area of focus. This requirement applies to students admitted in Spring 2007 and beyond. Effective for students who enter the program in Fall 2010, LIBR 285 must be taken within the first 24 units.
Waiver Option for LIBR 285
If a student has taken and passed a graduate level-research methods course AND completed a thesis or dissertation as part of a previous graduate degree (as documented by an official transcript), the student can petition the Coordinator of Admissions and Academic Advising to waive the LIBR 285 requirement. A waiver, if granted, does not reduce the total units required for the MLIS degree. Please send an electronic copy of the transcript (scanned as a pdf file) to the Coordinator of Admissions and Academic Advising.
LIBR 289 or 299
LIBR 289 (Advanced Topics in Library and Information Science) or LIBR 299 (Thesis) is required of all students and is typically taken in the last semester.
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