Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.)

Overview
Admission
Graduation & Retention

Total Credit Hours: 39 Degree Format: Online

The Valdosta State Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) program is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) Standards for Accreditation of Master's Programs in Library and Information Studies. The program is offered in an online format to fit the needs of students who are unable to attend a traditional-format program due to professional and/or personal commitments. Flexible scheduling and enrollment options make the M.L.I.S. program a great option for working professionals seeking to advance their education.

The M.L.I.S. curriculum is a 39 semester-hour, non-thesis program with a focus on educating librarians for careers in academic, public, and special libraries in Georgia. Graduates of the program are marketable for careers nationwide, and online courses are priced at a competitive and affordable e-rate tuition for both in-state and out-of-state residents. The program accepts applications for the Fall and Spring semesters each year.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Linda Most, email: mlis@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5966

Department of Library and Information Science Website

ADMISSION DEADLINES

Fall Semester: March 15
Spring Semester: Effective Spring 23, the deadline is September 30
Summer Semester: No Admission

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Application requirements can be submitted using the methods found in the following link: Document Submission Instructions.

This program is designed to meet the graduate education needs of library and information science professionals residing in the state of Georgia and in the United States.

Online Graduate Application

Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
Apply Online

Official transcript from your bachelor’s degree-granting school and from any graduate coursework.

Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
Must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last two years of undergraduate coursework OR at least a 3.0 graduate GPA in a Master's program from a regionally-accredited institution.
GPA calculations of the last two years of coursework include all undergraduate courses taken in the last 60 hours completed.
Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework. This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service. We consider evaluations from any services on the NACES Membership list.

MLIS Application Essays

Master of Library and Information Science Application Essay Guidelines
Two application essays that describe your interest in the program and work experience in the LIS field.
The applicant will upload these items to their self-service checklist in Radius.

Resume

Submit a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae.
The applicant will upload these items to their self-service checklist in Radius.

Three Recommendations

Recommendation Form
Please enter the name and email of your recommenders as you complete the application. They should receive an email inviting them to compelte the recommendation after that. If they do not receive the email (or find it in their spam folder), they may submit their recommendation as an email attachment to gradschool@valdosta.edu. The General Recommendation Form can be used if the email from the online recommendation system does not arrive.
Letters from current or former LIS employers are preferred.
Letters may come from former professors or professionals acquainted with your academic or vocational background and interests.
Recommenders will be sent an automated email with a link to a recommendation form from the application portal using the information the applicant provides.
Letters must be accompanied by the required form or submitted through the online recommendation system.

VSU Medical Form

The VSU Medical Form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

Letter of Exception

See Instructions
All applicants must submit this item in the event that, when re-calculated, his or her undergraduate GPA might not meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0

Verification of Lawful Presence

(For applicants who believe they qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.)

This is not required for individuals who do not qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.
This must be received prior to enrollment (if applicable), NOT prior to admission.
Citizenship documentation is needed for any applicant who wishes to be considered for in-state tuition.
Check out a complete list of accepted documents and residency information here.

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to en-sure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

Probationary Admission

An applicant may be considered for probationary admission upon submission of all elements of the application with the Letter of Exception, referenced above. Failure to submit a Letter of Exception when one is needed will result in one's application being incomplete and the application and materials will not be sent for review.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

The MLIS program is a fully web-based program. Student visas cannot be issued for programs that are fully online.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam – Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework. This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc. The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

Regular Status
Probationary Status (see Probationary Admission section for details)
Irregular Admission is not available for this program.
Non-degree admission is not available for this graduate major.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.

Call Us: 229-333-5694 or toll free 800-618-1878, Option #5
Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu
Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100

For additional program details contact the Program Coordinator: Dr. Linda Most, email: mlis@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5966.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date.
A 3.0 cumulative institutional grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree.
Students must successfully complete the capstone course, MLIS 7800 which is taken during the final semester.

Graduation Requirements Page - M.L.I.S. Program

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

Students must have a cumulative institutional GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses in order to graduate from the VSU MLIS program.
Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students admitted Fall 2011 and thereafter will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of “C” (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points. Candidates admitted PRIOR to Fall 2011 and receiving two grades below “C” (“D”, “F”, “WF”,“U”) will be dismissed from the program. One grade below a "C" results in a warning.
If dismissed from the program, the student must wait a minimum of two semesters and obtain approval from the academic department, before applying for readmission. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed and prior academic performance and conduct in the program will be considered.
After admission, courses taken more than seven years prior to the semester of degree completion cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements or admission to doctoral candidacy requirements unless otherwise indicated by individual program requirements.
No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a master’s-level graduate program. This credit must be documented in the form of an official transcript at the time of admission. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission, by the academic department. To be eligible, credit must be no more than seven years old at the time of admission unless otherwise approved by the program.

Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies Page - M.L.I.S. Program