Graduate Programs: LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

NOTE: This document was generated from the 1995-1997 UIUC Programs of Study. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, but be advised that requirements may have changed since this book was published. Errors may have also been introduced in the conversion to a WWW document. Thus for items of importance, it might be wise to seek confirmation from either the paper version or a live human being.

Dean of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science: Leigh S. Estabrook

Correspondence and Information: Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 501 E. Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820-6212; (217) 333-7197

GRADUATE FACULTY

Professors: L. Estabrook, K. L. Henderson, D. W. Krummel, F. W. Lancaster, S. Richardson, L. Smith, M. Williams

Associate Professors: B. Allen, E. Hearne, B. Schatz, P. Stenstrom, T. L. Weech

Assistant Professors: G. C. Bowker, G. B. Newby, J. B. Sutton

Lecturers: A. Bishop, C. Jenkins

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science offers programs of study leading to the master of science, the certificate of advanced study, and the doctor of philosophy degrees. The master of science degree program prepares men and women for professional careers in all types of libraries and information centers. The certificate of advanced study program provides the opportunity (1) to study an aspect of library and information science in greater depth than is possible in the master of science program, (2) to refresh and upgrade one's professional training several years after the master of science program or (3) to redirect one's career into a different area of library and information science. The doctor of philosophy is a research degree program.

ADMISSION

The general admission requirements of the Graduate College apply. Consideration is also given to language study, relevant work experience, letters of reference, Graduate Record Examination aptitude test scores, and evidence of leadership. International students must score at least 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language. The certificate of advanced study and doctor of philosophy programs require a master's degree in librarianship from a library school with an A.L.A.-accredited program and a grade-point average of at least 4.0 (A = 5.0) in the master's program. For the doctor of philosophy program, two years of library work experience at the professional level and an interview with the school's advanced studies committee are also required.

MASTER OF SCIENCE

The M.S. degree requires of all students 10 units of graduate study, including 1 unit of Library and Information Science 300, ¹/2 unit of Library and Information Science 307, and ¹/2 unit of Library and Information Science 320. Possible areas of specialization include all main types of libraries (e.g., academic, public, school, and special), all main types of work in libraries (e.g., cataloging, reference, and children's services), plus other concentrations such as information science, library automation, rare books, and archives. Students and advisers work closely together in selecting appropriate courses of study to meet individual needs. A thesis is not required but is available as an option. A minimum of twelve months is required to complete the master's program.

CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDY (C.A.S.)

The certificate is awarded upon the successful completion of 10 units of graduate course work beyond the master's degree. Of the 10 units, at least 6, including Library and Information Science 459 (C.A.S. Project), must be in library and information science. Students and advisers work closely together in selecting appropriate courses of study to meet individual needs. A minimum of twelve months is required to complete the C.A.S. program.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

The program consists of three stages: (1) generalization (9 units of course work required of all doctoral students), (2) specialization (3 or more units of elective course work plus a research tool), and (3) thesis (8 or more units). Thus, a minimum of 12 units of graduate course work plus 8 units of thesis credit are required. A minimum of two years is required to complete the necessary course work; an additional year or more, preferably in residence, is required for the thesis. A 4.5 GPA is the minimum for the four required seminars.

RESEARCH INTERESTS, FACILITIES, AND RESOURCES

Major areas of faculty research interest include bibliography, cataloging and classification, information storage and retrieval, library automation, nonprint media, library services for children and young adults, and reference tools and services. The school's Library Research Center engages in applied and pure research on contract; staff members of the Library Research Center are available to students and faculty for consultation and guidance. A minicomputer network and CD-ROM system are integral to teaching and learning activities. The University of Illinois Library provides a vast reservoir of resources for all types of study and research in library and information science.

The school maintains an ongoing commitment to continuing education through conferences, institutes, workshops, and special course offerings. Of particular note are the annual Allerton institutes and clinics on library applications of data processing. An extensive publications program includes the annual Proceedings of each of these, plus Library Trends, Occasional Papers, and a variety of monographs.

TEACHER EDUCATION MINOR IN LIBRARY SCIENCE Footnote 1

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science offers courses for advanced undergraduates in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the College of Education who wish to qualify both as classroom teachers and as librarians in small elementary or secondary schools or as assistant librarians in large schools. Full professional training leading to the master's degree in library and information science is required of those who wish to prepare for positions in larger schools, for supervisory positions in the school library field, and for positions as media specialists.

Students interested in this program should contact the dean of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid may be available from the school, the University of Illinois Library, area libraries, and the like, in the form of graduate assistantships, preprofessional positions, and hourly paid work. Also, the school has a limited number of fellowships and tuition waivers for which doctoral students tend to be favored over C.A.S. and master's students.

1. At the time of publication, this minor was in the process of being eliminated. Students considering this minor should contact the teacher certification officer in 110 Education Building.

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