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Master of Science Degree

We equip students with the theories and practices of library and information science (LIS) through the study of the foundations, principles, and ideas of the discipline, and the status and expectations of the profession. Our program objectives include teaching graduates to anticipate social and technological changes, and promote change to advance the profession; fostering critical thinking about literature and research in LIS and related fields; encouraging commitment to high standards of practice, conduct, responsibility, and service; and preparing for evaluation and development of services.

Graduates of the master's program are qualified to pursue careers as beginning librarians and information scientists in the information industry. Many master's students and recent graduates cite the opportunity to design their own programs of study as a major advantage at Illinois; examples of specializations include reference and information services (including an emphasis in community college librarianship), design and evaluation of information systems, services for children and young adults (including K–12 Library Information Specialist Certification), community information systems (including the Community Informatics program), and data curation.

Courseload | Curriculum | Scheduling Options | Financial Aid | Admission Requirements

Courseload and Limits

The master's degree program requires 40 hours of graduate study, including two core courses, "LIS 501: Information Organization and Access" and "LIS 502: Libraries, Information, and Society." Additionally, each semester, students pursue electives from a broad range of LIS course offerings. MS students may also opt to earn up to 12 hours in graduate electives through other UIUC courses and/or request transfer of LIS coursework from an ALA-accredited master's program (maximum 8 hours) or, alternatively, graduate level coursework from any accredited institution (maximum 4 hours).

The usual full-time course load is 12 hours during the fall and spring semesters, four hours during the four-week Summer Session Term I, and eight hours during the eight-week Summer Session Term II. A master's degree candidate with a full-time load can complete the 40 hour program in two semesters and one summer, though many students choose to continue in the program for an additional semester or two. Master's degree students must complete all requirements for the degree within five years after registering for graduate work. International students pursuing the degree on-campus are required to maintain full-time status (the equivalent of 12 hours in each semester of the academic year).

Entry

Students usually enter the master's program in the fall semester and take the required core courses, "LIS 501: Information Organization and Access" and "LIS 502: Libraries, Information, and Society." Students may also enter the program in the spring and summer semesters. LEEP students begin in Summer.

Grades

The Graduate College requires students to maintain a minimum G.P.A. of 2.75. The credit/no-credit option applies only to courses taken outside the library and information science curriculum and to courses taken as "non-degree." Hours taken under the credit/no-credit option are not computed into the grade-point average and may not be applied to a degree in library and information science.

Curriculum

Students consult with faculty advisors to plan programs of study that suit individual needs and specific career goals. Because only six of the 40 hours are required, students can choose from a wide range of elective courses to complete the remaining 34 hours. The Curriculum Description includes information about areas of concentration and suggested curricula for those areas as well as a worksheet for choosing courses and information about practicum and independent study opportunities.

Scheduling Options

Students have two interchangeable scheduling options for master of science degree course work: a regular on-campus schedule and the LEEP online education option. When considering which scheduling option to apply for, students should think about which course work delivery method they will predominantly use: if they think they'll be taking most or all of their courses on campus, then they should apply for the on-campus program. If they think they'll be taking most or all of their courses online, then they should apply for LEEP. However, once students are admitted, they may have the option to enroll in courses using either option, depending on their needs. Administrative staff and advisors will work with students during registration to make sure they are able to enroll in the classes that best meet their needs for any given semester.

From 1991–2004, GSLIS offered a "Fridays Only" scheduling option for students to commute to campus once a week. While we still have many students who commute and complete studies part-time, they are no longer limited to attending only on Fridays. Part-time students now have more options to commute to campus and take classes online as part of our "flex time" initiative.

Financial Aid

The Tuition and Financial Aid page in our Admissions information will give you details about the types of financial aid students may be eligible for, and how to go about applying for it. Students holding fellowships must register as full-time students (12 hours in fall and spring and 6 hours in Summer Session II). Those holding graduate assistantships awarded and/or administered by the School must be registered for a set number of classes determined by the percentage time of the assistantship; students will be advised of the amount upon appointment. Students with graduate assistantships in the library or elsewhere on campus must follow the enrollment requirements of the units employing them.

Admission Requirements

The admissions process includes several steps that allow applicants to show their interest in and qualification for study. In addition to providing copies of official transcripts and letters of reference, applicants are asked to write two essays, which are examined by the admissions committee for both content and writing ability. In addition, GRE scores are required if the applicant's grade point average was below 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last two years of undergraduate course work. Transcripts and GRE results indicate an applicant's verbal skills and ability to work with quantitative and analytical problems encountered in information environments. Contact the GSLIS admission office with questions about the admissions process: (217) 333-0734.

Please see the Admissions section of our website for specific application requirements, deadlines, and forms.

Computer Literacy Requirements

In order for us to teach our courses at the graduate level, you are expected to have certain computer skills. You can acquire these skills before you begin the program or by taking special free workshops that are offered by GSLIS and the LIS Library during the early part of the semester. When classes start, you will be expected to have three basic competencies:

1. Elementary computer literacy. This means that you can perform such tasks as run a program and organize and manipulate files on a personal computer, remote computer (such as a server), or removable media (such as a floppy disk or USB storage device). You are expected to know how to compose and print a research paper with appropriate figures and/or tables using a standard word processing program. If you own a computer, you should know how to set it up, install software, and connect it to a network (via dial-up, broadband, or wireless connection). You may gain these skills at a local community college, through self-tutoring, or elsewhere. You are encouraged but not required to have your own computer. Several computer firms offer educational discounts through the University MicroOrder Center.  The on-campus GSLIS lab is Macintosh-based, however Windows and Unix/Linux users are also supported in the School.
2. E-mail and bulletin board skills. You should know how to communicate using e-mail and electronic bulletin/message boards. This requires both a mastery of the technical issues of usage (how to read and reply to messages) and an understanding of proper etiquette.
3. Information retrieval skills. You need the ability to use the UIUC online catalog, the UIUC Online Research Resources database, and common bibliographic databases found in many libraries.  You should be familiar with finding information on the web using search engines and other common tools.

In addition, certain skills may be expected to be acquired during your time at GSLIS:

1. HTML/XML authoring. Workshops will teach basic HTML and XML syntax for creating documents and putting information on the Web.
2. Basic Linux (Unix). Servers running the Linux operating system can be accessed through the GSLIS local area network. These servers provide a wider range of software applications beyond those ordinarily available on the lab workstations. Programs running on the Linux servers can act on the files stored in student home directories. Some (not all) GSLIS classes will require you to use the Linux servers, and familiarity with Linux/Unix commands will be valuable whether or not you enroll in such a class.
3. Database creation. Students may be expected to design simple databases in several GSLIS courses.
4. Information literacy in LIS.  You will become familiar with key information sources within the discipline of LIS, including journal indexes, full-text databases, online repositories, and major websites.

Some individual courses require additional technical competencies such as more advanced database design and programming languages. These skills can be learned through community college courses, informal short courses offered in GSLIS by staff and professional organizations and through self-study.

During your time at GSLIS, you will have access to many technology resources, including the GSLIS User Services Help Desk. We encourage you to share your feedback and questions with us and do hope you take advantage of the support we offer the GSLIS community. Please feel free to contact us with questions by emailing -help, at support.lis.uiuc.edu-.