This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.valdosta.edu.

Selected MLIS Program Goals

  • 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.

Program Objectives (Expressed as Student Learning Outcomes)

Graduating students of the VSU MLIS program will demonstrate the ability to:

  1. 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.
  2. use existing and emerging technologies to meet needs in libraries and information centers.
  3. integrate relevant research to enhance their work in libraries and information centers.
  4. demonstrate professionalism as librarians or information specialists.

Examples of Outcome Assessments

  1. the Applied Library Experience Notebook, a collection of fieldwork and simulations of fieldwork conducted across four core courses in the MLIS program
  2. a collection development project
  3. a reference transaction assessment
  4. a social cataloging technology project
  5. a research proposal
  6. a career ePortfolio organized in a digital format
  7. 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

Progression, Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies

  1. Students must have a cumulative institutional GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses in order to graduate from the MLIS program.
  2. 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. All MLIS students admitted in Fall 2016 and thereafter must earn a grade of "B" or better in MLIS 7400 or MLIS 7440.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. MLIS students wishing to transfer credits from an outside institution must follow these guidelines:
    1. a maximum of nine credits from a previously completed graduate degree may be used. No time limit applies to this category.
    2. 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.
    3. categories A and B combined may not exceed nine credit hours.
    4. 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.

Program Graduation Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all MLIS Program Assessments in force at the time the candidate was admitted to the MLIS Program.
  2. A grade of “B” or better in each of the MLIS Program’s core courses. These courses are
    MLIS 7000Foundations of Library and Information Science3
    MLIS 7100Information Sources and Services3
    MLIS 7200Management of Libraries and Information Centers3
    MLIS 7300Organization of Information3
    MLIS 7700Research Methods3
    MLIS 7800Capstone3
    For students admitted in Fall 2016 and thereafter, a grade of "B" or better in MLIS 7400 or MLIS 7440.
  3. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree.
  4. 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. 

Requirements for the MLIS Degree

Core (Required) Courses18
MLIS 7000Foundations of Library and Information Science3
MLIS 7100Information Sources and Services3
MLIS 7200Management of Libraries and Information Centers3
MLIS 7300Organization of Information3
MLIS 7700Research Methods3
MLIS 7800Capstone3
Electives21
To include one of the following (effective for students entering Fall 2016):3
MLIS 7400
Collection Development
MLIS 7440
Electronic Resources in Libraries
Total Hours Required for the Degree39

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 7300Organization of Information3
Select two of the following:6
MLIS 7310
Introduction to Descriptive Cataloging
MLIS 7330
Metadata and Advanced Cataloging
MLIS 7355
Subject Cataloging and Classification
MLIS 7360
Indexing, Abstracting, and Thesaurus Construction
MLIS 7950
Independent Study in Library and Information Science 1
MLIS 7999
Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 1
MLIS 7960Supervised Fieldwork 13
1

MLIS 7950, MLIS 7960, and MLIS 7999 must have a cataloging or classification emphasis. MLIS 7950 will be used only when the other courses are not available to the student.

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 7200Management of Libraries and Information Centers3
Select one of the following:3
MLIS 7210
Academic Libraries
MLIS 7220
Public Libraries
MLIS 7230
Special Libraries and Information Centers
Select two of the following:6
MLIS 7240Marketing Library Services3
MLIS 7250Human Resources Management3
MLIS 7260Leadership in Libraries and Information Centers3
MLIS 7270Information Management3
MLIS 7950Independent Study in Library and Information Science 23
MLIS 7960Supervised Fieldwork 23
MLIS 7999Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 23
2

MLIS 7950, MLIS 7960, and MLIS 7999 must have a library management emphasis. MLIS 7950 will be used only when the other courses are not available to the student.

Optional Track in Reference Sources and Services 15 hours

MLIS 7100Information Sources and Services3
Select three of the following:9
MLIS 7110
Online Searching
MLIS 7120
Government Information Sources
MLIS 7125
Genealogy for Librarians
MLIS 7130
Humanities Information Services
MLIS 7150
Social Sciences Information Services
MLIS 7180
Library Services for Patrons with Special Needs
MLIS 7430
Information Literacy
MLIS 7950
Independent Study in Library and Information Science 3
MLIS 7999
Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 3
MLIS 7960Supervised Fieldwork 33
3

MLIS 7950, MLIS 7960, and MLIS 7999 must have a reference emphasis. MLIS 7950 will be used only when the other courses are not available to the student.

Optional Track in Technology 15 hours

Select 15 hours from the following:15
MLIS 7330
Metadata and Advanced Cataloging
MLIS 7440
Electronic Resources in Libraries
MLIS 7510
Essential Technologies in Libraries
MLIS 7520
Database Design for Information Professionals
MLIS 7540
Integrated Library Management Systems
MLIS 7570
Information Architecture
MLIS 7580
Digital Libraries
MLIS 7950
Independent Study in Library and Information Science
MLIS 7960
Supervised Fieldwork
MLIS 7999
Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 4
4

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

Optional Track in Youth Services Librarianship 15 hours

MLIS 7422Programming for Children and Young Teens3
MLIS 7220Public Libraries3
MLIS 7425Youth Electronic Resources3
Select two of the folloiwng:6
MLIS 7420
Literature for Children
MLIS 7421
Multicultural Youth Literature
MLIS 7423
Literature for Young Adults
MLIS 7950
Independent Study in Library and Information Science 6
MLIS 7960
Supervised Fieldwork 6
MLIS 7999
Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences 5
5

MLIS 7950, MLIS 7960, and MLIS 7999 must have a youth services emphasis. MLIS 7950 will be used only when the other courses are not available to the student.