LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

Dean of the School: Leigh S. Estabrook

Correspondence and Admission Information: Graduate School of Library and Information Science, 501 East Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820-6211; (217) 333-7197, (800) 982-0914 (within the U.S.); E-mail: gslis@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu
URL: www.lis.uiuc.edu

GRADUATE DEGREE 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 information organizations, includ ing libraries. 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 completing 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

Applicants are admitted in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The general admission requirements of the Graduate College apply. Consideration is also given to language study and computer skills, relevant work experience, letters of reference, and evidence of leadership. International students must score at least 620 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (260 on the computer-based test). The certificate of advanced study requires a master's degree in library and information science from a s chool with an ALA-accredited program or a master's degree in a closely related field and a grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) in the master's program. Students may be accepted into the doctor of philosophy program with a master's degree in a wide range of fields, as long as the degree is consistent with the applicant's goals in the program. Promising students may also be admitted to the doctoral program without a master's degree with the additional requirement that they complete a preliminary stage of eight units, at least five of which must be courses offered by the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, before moving on to the doctoral requirements.

graduate Teaching experience

Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in the Ph.D. program for those interested in faculty careers.

MASTER OF SCIENCE

The M.S. degree requires all students to complete ten units of graduate study, including a course on information organization and access as well as a course on libraries, information, and society. Three scheduling options are available to students pursuing the M.S. degree. The On-Campus Option serves students who are in residence at Urbana-Champaign. The Fridays Only Option is designed for part-time, commuting students who complete their degrees by attending courses on campus only on Fridays. The LEEP3 Option is a distance education option that combines brief periods of on-campus instruction with instruction using the Internet and other new information technologies for delivery. Students work closely with faculty advisers to select an appropriate course of study. A thesis is not required but is available as an option. A minimum of 12 months is required to complete the master's degree. Students prepare for careers in all types of information organizations. Examples of the professional positions they find include: Internet trainer, webmaster, and knowledge m anager, as well as work in electronic reference, automated systems, cataloging, youth services, school media, and other positions in public, academic, school, and special libraries.

CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDY

The certificate is awarded upon completion of ten units of graduate coursework beyond the master's degree. Of the ten units, at least six, including LIS 459-Certificate of Advanced Study Project, must be in library and information science. Students and faculty advisers work closely together in selecting appropriate courses of study to meet individual needs. A minimum of 12 months is required to complete the Certificate of Advanced Study program.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

The Ph.D. program consists of the following components: (1) proseminar and reading group (two units); (2) research methods (two or more units); (3) electives (eight units); (4) research practicum; (5) an optional teaching practicum; and (6) thesis (eight or more units). Thus, a minimum of 12 units of grad uate coursework plus eight units of thesis credit are required. A minimum of two years is required to complete the necessary coursework; an additional year or more, preferably in residence, is required for the thesis.

RESEARCH INTERESTS, FACILITIES, AND RESOURCES

Among the major areas of faculty research interest are community information systems; information in organizations; folklore and fairy tales; reference and access services; design and evaluation of digital libraries; and social, public policy, and ethical issues in library and information services. The school's Library Research Center engages in applied and pure research on contract. Information Researchers is a fee-based information retrieval and analysis service. Prairienet provides a community information network and Internet access for residents of East Central Illinois. The Center for Children's Books provides a review and research collection of the newest literature for children and young adults and publishes The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. The Publications Office publishes the refereed journal, Library Trends, and a variety of occasional papers and monographs. The staff of all these units are available to students and faculty for consultation and guidance. A computer network with Internet connectivity is integral to teaching and learning activities. The University 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 course offerings through the Division of Academic Outreach. Of particular interest are the annual Allerton institutes and conferences with a focus on new applications of information technology.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid may be available from the school, the University Library, and elsewhere in the University in the form of graduate assistantships and hourly paid work. Area librarie s may provide preprofessional or hourly positions. Also, the school offers a limited number of fellowships for which doctoral students tend to be favored over C.A.S. and master's degree students.