By anticipating a career and making appropriate choices, students experience and interpret library and information studies in different ways. Whatever their concentrations or aims may be, their professional lives will demand careful inquiry and critical thinking about information and the changing lives and needs of information users. In all of its variations, this is the core that informs the master of library and information science degree. We welcome students to discover their own futures, and the future of library and information science, in the M.L.I.S. program.

Advising

Every student meets with a faculty adviser when you enroll in the M.L.I.S. program to plan a course of study. General advising sessions are held on campus every semester in the weeks before you must register for the next semester, and you are required to meet with an advisor before you register for classes. In addition, all faculty hold regular office hours. Online students receive advising via phone or email each semester.

Requirements

A minimum of thirty-six credits, or twelve courses, is required to earn the M.L.I.S. degree.

For full-time study, the maximum course load is 15 credits per term, and 36 credits under this plan requires two terms and a summer on a full-time basis or 12 credits during each of three regular (non-summer) terms. The faculty encourages students to avoid the maximum course load of 15 credits except in cases of special need. Full-time study is not an option in the online program.

Study may be pursued on a part-time schedule by completing the program within a three-year period. On a part-time basis, students must register for a minimum of 6 credits per term or 12 credits per year unless special permission is obtained from the chairperson of the department. Courses on campus are scheduled in four time periods: morning, midday , late day, and evening. Students should be aware that the completion of the program requires attendance in more than one time period in order to obtain benefit of the full range of course offerings. The program may not be completed by attendance at summer sessions only, either on campus or online. A maximum of 12 credits may be earned by attendance at summer sessions. No more than 9 credits may be taken in any one summer without permission of the chairperson.

The M.L.I.S. curriculum is organized around six themes, and each theme has one core course, two or more central courses, and a variety of specialization courses. You must take at least 9 credits in lead courses, although all six are highly recommended, and a minimum of 15 credits in a combination of lead and central courses.

All students are required to enroll in two non-credit classes, 501-Introduction to Library and Information Professions in their first semester, and 502-Colloquium in a later semester.

There are no language requirements for the M.L.I.S. degree, and there is no thesis or comprehensive examination.

Plans of Study Online

Please check the section on Completing a Degree Online (tab above) for details of the two plans of study available online.

Plans of Study on Campus

All students on campus in the New Brunswick M.L.I.S. program work with an advisor to plan a course of study appropriate for your interests and career objectives. There is a tremendous amount of individuality possible in crafting a plan of study. Students who have no experience in libraries or information centers are urged to take 592-Field Experience as part of their coursework.

Here are a just a couple of sample plans of study:

If you want to become an Adult Services Librarian in a public library you might take twelve or more of these courses:

• 510-Human Information Behavior
• 530-Principles of Searching
• 540-Reference Sources and Services
• 550-Information Technology for Libraries and Information Agencies
• 570-Management of Libraries and Information Centers
• 580-Knowledge Structures and the Information Professions
• 511-User and Use Studies
• 517-Planning Outreach Services
• 518-Designing User Centered Information Services and Systems
• 519-User Instruction
• 522-Cataloging and Classification
• 532-Collection Development and Management
• 548-Materials for Young Adults
• 549-Materials and Reader's Advisory Services for Adults

If you want to become a Knowledge Manager you might take twelve or more of these courses:

• 510-Human Information Behavior
• 520-Organizing Information
• 530-Principles of Searching
• 540-Reference Sources and Services
• 550-Information Technology
• 570-Management
• 580-Knowledge Structures
• 511-Use and User Studies
• 518-Designing User Centered Information Services
• 521-Knowledge Representation
• 523-Classification
• 531-Search Strategy
• 534-Records Management
• 535-Competitive Intelligence
• 54x-Information resources courses
• 552-Automated and Networked Systems
• 554-Information Visualization and Presentation
• 557-Database Design and Management
• 558-Networked Information
• 571-Leadership in Theory and Practice
• 572-Evaluation of Systems and Services
• 574-Knowledge Management in Organizations
• 577-Economics of Information
• 581-Social Informatics
• 582-Information Policy

If you want to become a School Library Media Specialist, your plan of study has eleven required courses and one elective to meet New Jersey Department of Education requirements. To become certified as a School Library Media Specialist by the State of New Jersey , in addition to Library and Information Science courses you must also complete coursework in Education. See our School Library Media Certifications webpage for more details.

• 510-Human Information Behavior
• 530-Principles of Searching   
• 550-Information Technology for Libraries and Information Agencies
• 522-Cataloging and Classification
• 540-Reference Sources and Services
• 514-Learning Theory, Media and Curriculum
• 547-Materials for Children           
• 548-Materials for Young Adults
• 555-Multimedia Production           
• 575-Educational Media Center Management
• 592-Field Experience           
• One elective, with approval of adviser

For suggested plans of study to become a...

  Archivist
  Customer representative/trainer
  Electronic resources librarian
  Health Sciences librarian
  Indexer/thesaurus editor
  Information architect/epistemologist/taxonomist
  Information broker
  Law librarian
  Library administrator
  Reference librarian/information specialist
  Systems librarian
  Technical services librarian
  Youth services librarian in a public library

...please check our website for 501-Introduction to Library and Information Professions and follow the link for "Practical Concerns: Academic."