VSU > Graduate School > Master of Library and Information Science

mlis Program Overview

The primary goal of Valdosta State University’s Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program is to prepare professionals who will exercise leadership in planning, promoting, implementing, and administering the preservation, organization, dissemination, and effective use of society’s recorded information. The MLIS program:

  • is a 39-hour non-thesis program that is primarily web-based.
  • is based on VSU’s assessment of the graduate education needs of library and information science professionals in Georgia.
  • capitalizes on the latest developments in distance education and collaborative education.
  • uses web-based software to provide students with the technological capacity for audiovisual communication.
  • lets students interact with the professor and other students by email and special “chat rooms” established for each course.
  • allows a student to earn a degree with primarily online instruction.
  • contains curriculum designed for students who cannot leave jobs and families to return to a single campus for extended periods.

Recipients of the MLIS degree will acquire a broad range of skills and knowledge in:

  • organizing and retrieving information
  • information management
  • information services
  • information resources
  • information systems

Curriculum

The curriculum reflects the role of library and information services in a rapidly changing technological and global society. It is designed to take advantage of institutional cooperation and to allow student flexibility. Full-time students should be able to complete the program in two academic years. The flexibility of the program, moreover, affords adult learners the opportunity to earn the degree as part-time students.

The core curriculum is designed to give expertise in four major areas:

  • Administration
  • Resources for Clients
  • Services in the Knowledge Society
  • Technical Knowledge

 

Program of Study - MLIS

The Master of Library and Information Science program consists of 39 semester hours of coursework. There are six three-hour required core courses.

Core Courses:        18 hrs                                                   
  • MLIS 7000 Foundations of Library and Information Science
  • MLIS 7100 Information Sources and Services
  • MLIS 7200 Management of Libraries and Information Centers
  • MLIS 7300 Cataloging and Classification
  • MLIS 7700 Research Methods
  • MLIS 7800 Capstone Course

All core courses are offered every academic year.

Elective Courses:      21 hrs                                                

Elective courses are typically offered every other year.
Portfolio requirement - The MLIS Program requires its students to develop and maintain a portfolio. It is incorporated as an integral part of the Foundations and Capstone courses.

Optional Tracks

The MLIS Program has developed optional tracks in Cataloging & Classification, Library Management, Reference Sources & Services, Technology.

Optional Track in Youth Services Librarianship
15 hrs
  MLIS 7422, 7220, 7425   9 hrs  
  MLIS 7420, 7421, 7423, 7950*, 7960* or 7999*   6 hrs  
         
  * MLIS 7950, 7960, and 7999 must have a youth services librarianship emphasis.
* MLIS 7950 will be used only when other courses are not available to the student.
   
   
Optional Track in Cataloging and Classification
12 hrs
  MLIS 7300   3 hrs  
  MLIS 7330, 7350, 7355, 7360, 7370, 7440, 7950*, or 7999*   6 hrs  
  MLIS 7960*   3 hrs  
         
  * MLIS 7950, 7960, and 7999 must have a cataloging or classification emphasis.
* MLIS 7950 will be used only when other courses are not available to the student.
   
Optional Track in Health Sciences Librarianship
15 hrs
  MLIS 7170   3 hrs  
  MLIS 7111   3 hrs  
  MLIS 7230 and 7440 are highly recommended.
Other electives that qualify for this track:
MLIS 7150, either 7500 or 7505		   6 hrs  
  MLIS 7960*   3 hrs  
 

*MLIS 7960 must have a health sciences librarianship emphasis.

         
Optional Track in Library Management
12 hrs
  MLIS 7200   3 hrs  
  MLIS 7210, 7220, or 7230   3 hrs  
  MLIS 7240, 7250, 7260, 7270, 7950*, 7960*, or 7999*   6 hrs  
         
  * MLIS 7950, 7960, and 7999 must have a library management emphasis.
* MLIS 7950 will be used only when other courses are not available to the student.
         
Optional Track in Reference Sources and Services
12 hrs
  MLIS 7100   3 hrs  
  MLIS 7110, 7120, 7130, 7150, 7160, 7180, 7430, 7950*, or 7999*   6 hrs  
  MLIS 7960*   3 hrs  
         
  * MLIS 7950, 7960, and 7999 must have a reference emphasis.
* MLIS 7950 will be used only when other courses are not available to the student.
         
Optional Track in Technology
15 hrs
  MLIS 7370   3 hrs  
  MLIS 7500, 7520, 7550, or 7580   6 hrs  
  MLIS 7330, 7350, 7440, 7505, 7950*, 7960*, or 7999*   6 hrs  
         
 

* MLIS 7950, 7960, and 7999 must have an emphasis on information technologies.
* MLIS 7950 will be used only when other courses are not available to the student.

         

Total Required for the Degree:     39 hrs

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MLIS Program