- Prepare library and information practitioners to be successful in entry-level professional positions in academic, public, and special libraries.
- Use data gathered and analyzed through the assessment system to make program-related decisions.
Graduating students of the VSU MLIS program will demonstrate the ability to:
- perform administrative, service, and technical functions of professional practice in libraries and information centers by demonstrating skills in
• information resources
• reference and user services
• administration and management
• organization of recorded knowledge and information.
- use existing and emerging technologies to meet needs in libraries and information centers.
- integrate relevant research to enhance their work in libraries and information centers.
- demonstrate professionalism as librarians or information specialists.
- the Applied Library Experience Notebook, a collection of fieldwork and simulations of fieldwork conducted across four core courses in the MLIS program
- a collection development project
- a reference transaction assessment
- a social cataloging technology project
- a research proposal
- a career ePortfolio organized in a digital format
- an analysis of an LIS-related code of ethics
Admission to the MLIS Program
Prior to admission to any graduate program at Valdosta State University, applicants must first submit a completed application to the Graduate School. A completed application includes evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree and official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, completion of application form, application fee, and any additional program requirements; all required materials and fees must be submitted by the admission deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow adequate time for document submission and to ensure receipt of documents. Full information about applying to the MLIS program can be found on the VSUGraduate School website.
Admission Deadlines
- Fall Deadline: March 15
- Spring Deadline: October 15
- Students must have a cumulative institutional GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses in order to graduate from the MLIS program.
- Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students 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 graduate 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 letter. Additionally, all MLIS students admitted Fall 2011 and thereafter must earn a grade of “B” or better in MLIS 7000, MLIS 7100, MLIS 7200, MLIS 7300, MLIS 7700, and MLIS 7800.
- If dismissed from the MLIS program, the student must wait a minimum of two semesters and obtain approval from the MLIS Program Director before applying for readmission. The MLIS 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 MLIS Program will be considered.
- The maximum time allowed for completion of the master’s degree is 7 calendar years. No work completed more than 7 years prior to degree completion will be accepted toward the degree, except with special permission from the student’s major professor and the Director of the Master of Library and Information Science Program, and approval from the Dean of the Graduate School.
- MLIS students wishing to transfer credits from an outside institution must follow these guidelines:
- a maximum of nine credits from a previously completed graduate degree may be used. No time limit applies to this category.
- a maximum of six credits of transfer courses that did not apply to a completed degree may be used toward the MLIS degree. Courses transferred in this category cannot be older than 7 years at the time of completion of the MLIS degree.
- categories A and B combined may not exceed nine credit hours.
- transfer of credits for graduate courses requires the development of a program of study using the appropriate form obtained from the MLIS Program. The student and the advisor must draft the program of study, and the completed form must be signed by both the MLIS Program Director and by the Dean of the Graduate School.
- Satisfactory completion of all MLIS Program Assessments in force at the time the candidate was admitted to the MLIS Program.
- A grade of “B” or better in each of the MLIS Program’s core courses. These courses are
.
- A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree.
- Submission of a graduation application no later than one semester prior to the anticipated graduation date.
Go to the Graduate School website
and click on Our Programs, then click on MLIS Program for complete information on:
- Specific MLIS Program Admission Requirements
- MLIS Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
- MLIS Program Graduation Requirements
To Apply Online, click here
.
| MLIS 7000 | Foundations of Library and Information Science | 3 |
| MLIS 7100 | Information Sources and Services | 3 |
| MLIS 7200 | Management of Libraries and Information Centers | 3 |
| MLIS 7300 | Organization of Information | 3 |
| MLIS 7700 | Research Methods | 3 |
| MLIS 7800 | Capstone | 3 |
| 21 |
| Collection Development | |
| Literature for Children | |
| Electronic Resources in Libraries | |
The grade of “B” or higher is required for MLIS 7000. A student earning a grade below “B” must repeat MLIS 7000 at the first opportunity. A grade below “B” in MLIS 7000 does not fulfill the MLIS 7000 prerequisite requirement for other courses.
Optional Track in Cataloging and Classification 12 hours
| MLIS 7300 | Organization of Information | 3 |
| 6 |
| Introduction to Descriptive Cataloging | |
| Metadata and Advanced Cataloging | |
| Subject Cataloging and Classification | |
| Indexing, Abstracting, and Thesaurus Construction | |
| Independent Study in Library and Information Science 1 | |
| Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 1 | |
| MLIS 7960 | Supervised Fieldwork 1 | 3 |
With the consent of the cataloging professor, paraprofessional or volunteer experience with cataloging or classification may substitute for MLIS 7960. In this case, the student will take another 3-credit-hour course in cataloging or classification.
Optional Track in Library Management 12 hours
| MLIS 7200 | Management of Libraries and Information Centers | 3 |
| 3 |
| Academic Libraries | |
| Public Libraries | |
| Special Libraries and Information Centers | |
| 6 |
| MLIS 7240 | Marketing Library Services | 3 |
| MLIS 7250 | Human Resources Management | 3 |
| MLIS 7260 | Leadership in Libraries and Information Centers | 3 |
| MLIS 7270 | Information Management | 3 |
| MLIS 7950 | Independent Study in Library and Information Science 2 | 3 |
| MLIS 7960 | Supervised Fieldwork 2 | 3 |
| MLIS 7999 | Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 2 | 3 |
Optional Track in Reference Sources and Services 12 hours
| MLIS 7100 | Information Sources and Services | 3 |
| 6 |
| Online Searching | |
| Information Retrieval in Science, Technology, and Medicine | |
| Government Information Sources | |
| Humanities Information Services | |
| Social Sciences Information Services | |
| Health Sciences Librarianship | |
| Library Services for Patrons with Special Needs | |
| Information Literacy | |
| Independent Study in Library and Information Science 3 | |
| Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 3 | |
| MLIS 7960 | Supervised Fieldwork 3 | 3 |
Optional Track in Technology 15 hours
| MLIS 7570 | Information Architecture | 3 |
| 6 |
| Computer Applications for Informational Professionals | |
| Database Design for Informational Professionals | |
| Library Systems and Automation | |
| Digital Libraries | |
| 6 |
| Metadata and Advanced Cataloging | |
| Electronic Resources in Libraries | |
| Applied Technologies in Library Practice | |
| Independent Study in Library and Information Science 4 | |
| Supervised Fieldwork 4 | |
| Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 4 | |
Optional Track in Health Sciences Librarianship 15 hours
| MLIS 7170 | Health Sciences Librarianship | 3 |
| MLIS 7111 | Information Retrieval in Science, Technology, and Medicine | 3 |
| 6 |
| Special Libraries and Information Centers (highly recommended) | |
| Electronic Resources in Libraries (highly recommened) | |
| |
| Social Sciences Information Services | |
| Independent Study in Library and Information Science 5 | |
| Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 5 | |
| Computer Applications for Informational Professionals | |
| Applied Technologies in Library Practice |
| MLIS 7960 | Supervised Fieldwork 5 | 3 |
Optional Track in Youth Services Librarianship 15 hours
| MLIS 7422 | Programming for Children and Young Teens | 3 |
| MLIS 7220 | Public Libraries | 3 |
| MLIS 7425 | Youth Electronic Resources | 3 |
| 6 |
| Literature for Children | |
| Multicultural Youth Literature | |
| Literature for Young Adults | |
| Independent Study in Library and Information Science 6 | |
| Supervised Fieldwork 6 | |
| Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 6 | |
