VSU > Graduate School > Master of Library and Information Science

mlis Program Overview

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.

MLIS Program Mission, Goals and Objectives

Mission:

The mission of Valdosta State University’s Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program is to provide a quality publicly supported education for generalists and specialists in the library and information science fields with a primary focus to educate librarians for academic, public, and special libraries in Georgia.

Goals:

  1. To prepare library and information practitioners to be successful in entry level positions in academic, public, and special libraries.
  2. To make program-related decisions to improve the quality of the graduate, program, and better serve stakeholders through the ongoing cyclical use of data gathered and analyzed via the assessment system.

Objectives:

Graduates of the MLIS Program will:

  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.

 

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                                                

  • To include one of the following: MLIS 7130, MLIS 7150, MLIS 7400, MLIS 7420, MLIS 7440 (effective for students entering Fall 2013)     3 hours
  • 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 Youth Services, Cataloging & Classification, Library Management, Reference Sources & Services, and Technology.

Optional Track in Cataloging and Classification

12 hrs

  MLIS 7300   3 hrs  
  MLIS 7310, 7330, 7355, 7360, *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 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 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, 7111, 7120, 7130, 7150, 7160, 7170, 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 7570   3 hrs  
  MLIS 7500, 7520, 7550, or 7580   6 hrs  
  MLIS 7330, 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.
         

Optional Track in Health Sciences Librarianship

15 hrs

  MLIS 7170, MLIS 7111   6 hrs  
         
  MLIS electives      
  MLIS 7230 and 7440 are highly recommended.
Other electives that qualify for this track:
MLIS 7150, 7950*, 7999*, either 7500 or 7505		   6 hrs  
  MLIS 7960*   3 hrs  
         
  * MLIS 7950, 7960, and 7999 must have an emphasis on health sciences librarianship; MLIS 7950 will be used only when the other courses are not available to the student.
         

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.
   

Dual Program of Study for MLIS and Concurrent Media Specialist Certification (State of Georgia)

51 hrs

  MLIS Required Courses (7)   21 hrs  
         
  MLIS Electives required to fulfill dual MLIS degree and GA Media Specialist Certification:  
  MLIS 7220, 7422, 7550   9 hrs  
  MLIS 7420 or 7421   3 hrs  
         
  College of Education Electives required to fulfill dual MLIS degree and GA Media Specialist Certification:  
  SPEC 3000*   3 hrs  
  EDUC 5999*   0 hrs  
  CIED 7060   3 hrs  
  ITED 7300*, 7201*, 7203*, 7299*   12 hrs  
         
  This program of study must be discussed with and approved by the student’s MLIS Program advisor prior to application to the Instructional Technology Program as a non-degree seeking student.

*Acceptance into the Instructional Technology Program in the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology as a NON-DEGREE seeking student is REQUIRED before MLIS students can register for these courses. Enrollment in EDUC 5999 is based on admission to the CLT program.

 

Total Required for the Degree:     39 hrs

Contact Valdosta State University

Graduate School

MLIS Program