Library and Information Science, MLIS (Online)

Application Deadline

Rolling Admissions

Announcement

April 18, 2018

The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) has been granted candidacy status by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association. Candidacy status is an indication that SCSU’s MLIS program has voluntarily committed to participate in the ALA accreditation process and is actively seeking accreditation. Candidacy does not indicate that the program is accredited nor does it guarantee eventual accreditation of the program by ALA.

OVERVIEW

The recently introduced Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) is an online 36-credit program offered by the Department of Information and Library Science in the College of Education. The program is intended for those seeking to develop or advance in careers in the information professions giving students two options to pursue their interests. These include School Library Media and the Individualized Program. All programs share the core courses, but with flexibility in the choice of electives deemed appropriate for professional practice in public, academic libraries, and digital information management.

The Master of Library and Information Science is currently in candidacy status for accreditation by the American Library Association (ALA).

The School of Education at Southern Connecticut State University is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 2010 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036; phone (202) 466-7496. This accreditation covers the initial certification preparation program in school media in the State of Connecticut (Connecticut School Media is a K12 certification). CAEP is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional school personnel.

Please refer to the home page on admissions from the School of Graduate and Professional Studies for information on general requirements and the Online Graduate Application.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The Master of Library and Information Science program has rolling admissions. Please consult the sections that follow for an overview of the program and guidance on the requirements and the admissions procedure.

REQUIREMENTS

Consideration for admission into the MLIS program is based on applicants meeting the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School as described in the Graduate Catalog under Minimum Acceptance Standards. The standard is defined as:

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or equivalent for students with degrees obtained in other countries) with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (scale A = 4.0) and the recommendation of the graduate program.

A candidate whose academic record is not sufficiently competitive may be recommended by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies for Conditional Admission but only if the applicant has demonstrated considerable promise as a result of work experiences and/or contributions to the community.

Students from outside the United States should consult the section Admission of International Students in the Graduate Catalog for information on expected language proficiency, etc.

Based on current graduate admission policies, applicants may register as part-time non-matriculated students in graduate courses. However, non-matriculated students may earn no more than nine credits toward a degree program.

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA

Applicants interested in School Library Media should refer to program page in this catalog and the section entitled “Admission to Teacher Certification Programs” in the Graduate Catalog under Application and Admission for information.

All students seeking admissions to the Connecticut Initial Educator or Cross Endorsement Certification program must arrange a personal interview with the ILS Graduate Admissions Committee and/or School Media Coordinator.

ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE

The procedure for admission into the program includes several steps, with the first two taken by the applicant to initiate the process.

a) Preparation and submission of the Online Graduate Application

The Online Graduate Application can be found at:

http://www.southernct.edu/academics/graduate/graduate-admissions/graduate-application.html

b) Submission of the required documentation

Complete applications must include the following materials:

1)     Graduate School Application

2)     $50.00 non-refundable application fee

3)     Official academic transcripts for all college-level programs the applicant has ever attempted and/or completed, with at least one transcript showing an undergraduate degree from an institution accredited by a recognized regional accrediting agency in the United States. For students with degrees obtained outside the United States, equivalence must be established by the World Education Services, Josef Silny & Associates Evaluators, Inc., Global Credential Evaluators, Inc., or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. These are independent evaluation services recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

4)     For applicants whose native language is not English, TOEFL scores. The School of Graduate and Professional Studies sets the minimum score needed on the TOEFL exam.

5)     Two letters of recommendation written by individuals in a position to describe and evaluate the applicant’s commitment and potential for academic success at the graduate level. The letters should also address the applicant’s potential ability to make meaningful professional contributions.

6)     A written statement (400-500 words) describing why the applicant is interested in the chosen program of study, expected contributions, and anticipated areas of professional practice.

a)     A current resume.

c) Review of the application file by the Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee

Complete application files will be reviewed by the Department Graduate Admissions Committee. The Committee’s membership consists of three full-time faculty.

d) The determination of the applicant’s qualifications and dispositional suitability for admission into the program

In making its determination and subsequent recommendation, the Department's Graduate Admissions Committee will give consideration to the applicant’s entire record. Please see section on requirements for information on conditional acceptance.

e) The Department’s recommendation to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies

Once the Department's Graduate Admissions Committee makes a determination on the applicant’s suitability for the intended program of studies, a recommendation will be made to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies for its review.

f) Final determination by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies

Admission decisions rest exclusively with the School of Graduate and Professional Studies and they are communicated by the School. For applicants accepted into the program, the School’s decision concludes the process of matriculation.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS -  36 Credits

As sequencing changes, it is highly recommended that students meet with their program advisor to finalize a list of requirements for graduation. 

Required Core Courses

ILS 502 - Fundamentals of Library and Information Science - 3 credits
ILS 505 - Information Resources Organization and Management - 3 credits
ILS 507 - Information Science and technology - 3 credits
ILS 508 - User Services - 3 credits
ILS 509 - Management of Library and Information Agencies - 3 credits
ILS 582 - Library Science Internship - 3 credits

Concentration

Students choose electives according to their specific areas of interest. Students choose courses as electives with advisor approval - 15 credits

Capstone Experience (choose one of the following three options)

Option 1: ILS 660 - Special Project in Library and Information Science (Special Project) - 3 credits
Option 2: ILS 699 – Thesis – 3 credits
Option 3: Comprehensive Examination and students must choose 1 ILS graduate-level elective - 3 credits

CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT, SATISFACTORY PROGRESSION AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Continuous Enrollment requires that every graduate student maintain at least six credits toward his or her degree program every calendar year (a minimum of three credits in the fall and spring terms respectively) from the time of acceptance by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies until completion of all requirements for the graduate degree. Students must register for a course each semester or register for a continuation course. 

Continuation in any of the department's graduate programs is contingent upon ongoing positive faculty evaluation of a graduate student's grades, professional or scholarly attributes, performance in real or simulated professional situations, and subjective appraisal of the student's progress and potential. A student may be suspended or dismissed from a graduate program for deficiencies in any of these areas. If, in the professional judgment of the faculty, a student demonstrates practices that are harmful to patrons, unethical, or behaves unprofessionally, he or she will be placed on probation or requested to withdraw from the program.

School Media students must maintain good standing in the program in order to qualify for student teaching and a recommendation from Southern Connecticut State University for State of Connecticut teacher certification. They also must demonstrate the following:
personal attitudes and attributes that affect her or his performance as a teacher positively; professional behavior appropriate to the context which shows a realization that actions reflect directly upon the status and substance of the profession; confidentiality of all information concerning colleagues and students obtained in the educational process; and integrity and honesty in written and verbal communication, documentation, and coursework related to the professional program for teacher certification.

DEADLINES FOR GRADUATION APPLICATION AND CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE AND PORTFOLIO REVIEWS

Degree Application

You should complete a Graduate degree application. For application deadlines and form, go to http://www.southernct.edu/offices/registrar/apply-graduation.html

MLIS Degree Portfolio (or E-Portfolio)

You should send your MLIS degree portfolio (or e-portfolio) as an email attachment to the Information and Library Science Office by the end of the semester.  MLIS Degree Portfolio Template is available online.