Library and Information Science

Dean of the School: John Unsworth
501 East Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820-6211
(217) 333-0734, (800) 982-0914 (within the U.S.)
E-mail: gslis@uiuc.edu

Graduate Degree Programs

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) offers programs of study leading to the master of science, the certificate of advanced study, and the doctor of philosophy degrees. Two master of science (M.S.) degree program options are available. The M.S. in library and information science (L.I.S.) prepares students for professional careers in all types of information organizations, including libraries. The GSLIS concentration of the campus-wide M.S. in bioinformatics program emphasizes multidisciplinary skills that are required for a career developing and managing information systems for the biological community. The certificate of advanced study (C.A.S.) program provides the opportunity (1) to study an aspect of library and information science in greater depth than is possible in the M.S. program, (2) to refresh and upgrade one’s professional training several years after completing the M.S. program, or (3) to redirect one’s career into a different area of library and information science. K-12 Library Information Specialist Certification is available in conjunction with both the M.S. in L.I.S. and C.A.S. The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) 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; 105 on the iBT version). The M.S. in bioinformatics requires a strong background in information science including undergraduate-level computing and mathematics. The C.A.S. requires a master’s degree in library and information science from a school with an American Library Association accredited program and a grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) in the master’s program. K-12 admission requires a passing score on the Illinois Basic Skills Test. Students may be accepted into the Ph.D. 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 32 additional hours of coursework.

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.

M.S. in L.I.S.

The M.S. in L.I.S. is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). All students are required to complete 40 graduate hours of study, including a course on information organization and access as well as a course on libraries, information, and society. Two scheduling options are available to students pursuing the M.S. degree. The on-campus option serves students who are in residence at Urbana-Champaign, as well as part-time, commuting students. The LEEP scheduling option is an online education option that combines brief periods of on-campus instruction with instruction using the Internet and other information technologies for delivery. The LEEP option only begins in the summer semester, starting with a ten-day campus orientation. Students work closely with faculty advisers to plan an appropriate course of study. A thesis is not required but is available as an option. Students prepare for careers in all types of information organizations. Examples of the professional positions graduates hold include: Internet trainer, webmaster, and knowledge manager, as well as work in reference, automated systems, cataloging, youth services, school media, and other positions in public, academic, school, and special libraries.

M.S. in Bioinformatics

The GSLIS M.S. in Bioinformatics requires a total of 36 hours of coursework. At least 12 hours must be at the 500 graduate level. To satisfy the campus core requirements, one course must be taken from each of the three Core Areas: Biology, Computer Science, and Fundamental Bioinformatics. In addition, GSLIS requires one LIS course in relevant information systems technology to teach text retrieval and the systems perspective. A typical student will thus take four required courses: one Biology, one Computer Science, on Fundamental Bioinformatics, and one GSLIS (LIS 456 Information Storage and Retrieval). Other approved courses for the program are listed on the campus-wide M.S. in Bioinformatics site. Elective courses enable students to focus on information management of their particular bioinformatics application. Currently, this program requires students to be in residence in Champaign-Urbana.

C.A.S

The C.A.S. is awarded upon completion of 40 graduate hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree. Of the 40 graduate hours at least 24, including LIS 593–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. Areas of concentration include digital libraries, management, and youth services. The C.A.S. may be completed on-campus or through the LEEP online scheduling option.

Students admitted to the Certificate of Advanced Study program may optionally pursue a Concentration in Digital Libraries. The Concentration in Digital Libraries requires that 40 graduate hours, including LIS 593, must be within library and information science.

K-12 Library Information Specialist Certification

The K-12 Certification option allows students to meet the requirements for the M.S. in L.I.S. of C.A.S. while also pursuing the courses and training needed for state teacher certification. Courses in library and information science as well as Educational Psychology, Educational Policy Studies, Special Education, field experience (practicum) and student teaching are required for certification. The requirements for specialist certification were approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in 2001 and are in compliance with most State Education Standards. K-12 certification may be pursued on-campus or via the LEEP online scheduling option.

Ph.D.

The Ph.D. program consists of the following components: (1) a history and foundation of LIS seminar (4 graduate hours); (2) research methods (8 or more graduate hours); (3) electives (36 graduate hours); (4) research practicum; (5) an optional teaching practicum; and (6) thesis (32 or more graduate hours). Thus, a minimum of 48 graduate hours of coursework plus 32 graduate hours of thesis credit are required. A minimum of two years in residence 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 information history, economics and policy; information retrieval and digital libraries; librarianship and literature for yout; and social informatics. The School’s Library Research Center engages in applied and pure research on contract. The Information Science Research Laboratory supports research into and about the design, impacts, analysis, and evaluation of information technologies, including information and its properties, information services and access, and the creation/management of information content. 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 each of 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.

Financial Aid

Financial aid may be available from the School, the University Library, and elsewhere in the University in the form of graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and hourly paid work. Area libraries 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.