Planning

The LIS curriculum reflects the foundations of the field as well as the critical issues facing the profession. You will work closely with your adviser on all course selection decisions.

The Program consists of 42 credit hours, including 18 hours of core courses. You have 8 years to complete the degree.

Core Courses (18 credit hours of required courses)

  • 7301 Introduction to Information Technology (3 credits)
  • 7305 Foundations of Library and Information Science (1 credit)
  • 7302 Organization of Information (3 credits) OR 7312 Principles of Cataloging and Classification
  • 7313 Managing Collections and Access (3 credits)
  • 7314 Reference Sources and Services (3 credits)
  • 7315 Management of Information Agencies (3 credits) OR 9406 School Library Administration
  • 7380 Practicum in School Libraries (2-3 credits) OR 7381 Practicum in Information Agencies (2-3 credits) About the Practicum

Approved Elective Courses (Selected in consultation with faculty advisor)

  • Must include 15 credit hours of 9000-level courses
  • Must include 12 hours of courses taught by a full-time faculty member.

The Program of Study

After you’ve completed your first semester, you should work with your faculty adviser to fill out the Program of Study Form, also known as the M-1 form. Your Program of Study form plans out the courses you expect to take while you’re in the LIS program.

M1 Program of Study Form
See an example of a M-1 Form that’s been filled out.

After you sign the Program of Study form, you should bring it or send it to the SISLT Student Coordinator, who will see that your faculty adviser and SISLT’s Director of Graduate Studies sign the form. The form then goes to the Graduate School, where it is approved and signed by the Dean of the Graduate School. Once it is signed by the Graduate School Dean, a copy of the form will be mailed back to you.

Program Planning Sheet
See an example of a Planning Sheet that’s been filled out.

While the M-1 is the required form, it may be easier to plan your academic schedule by semesters and academic years. You can use this form to do the planning, and then transcribe your plan of study to the M-1 form.

Program of Study Course Substitution Form
See an example of a Substitution Form that’s been filled out.

After you’ve filled out and submitted your M-1 form, you may change your mind about a course. If this happens, you should fill out the Program of Study Substitution Form to delete the courses you didn’t take from your Program of Study and include the courses you did take. Do this when you register for classes for your last semester, to ensure that you can graduate on time.