Library Science (LBSC)

Abstract

The Masters of Library Science (MLS) is a fully American Library Association (ALA) accredited program that focuses on areas central to research and practice in information science. It emphasizes the theoretical and conceptual foundations of the field. The application of the results of scholarly research are related to current practices and are analyzed with the goal of advancing the quality and scope of services in a variety of information settings. The program provides a comprehensive foundation for professional careers in all libraries, information centers, and other agencies engaged in information activities.

The MLS program is available at the College Park campus; the Universities at Shady Grove campus in Rockville, Maryland; and online. Space is limited at the College Park campus, therefore, applicants are encourage to apply to the Shady Grove campus or the online program.

For more information about courses available at the Shady Grove campus, admissions deadlines, or to schedule an informational interview, please contact the Program Director of the MLS at Shady Grove, Dr. Vedat Diker, at vdiker@umd.edu.

For more information about the MLS Online please Program Director Dr. Mary Edsall Choquette, at mechoque@umd.edu.

Admissions Information

Admission decisions are based upon a thorough review of the applicant's undergraduate record, scores on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (please see program website for waiver/requirement information: http://ischool.umd.edu/content/admission), 3 letters of recommendation, and a500 word targeted essay. Other factors, such as other graduate degrees and work experience, may be considered as well.

New students are admitted to the MLS program at the College Park campus and the Shady Grove Campus for the Fall term.

The MLS Online is cohort based and new students are admitted for the Fall term each year.

Application Deadlines

Type of Applicant Fall Spring Summer

Domestic Applicants; US Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials; International Applicants seeking admissions under A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants
Deadline: February 1

International Applicants seeking admission under F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas
Deadline: February 1

Application Requirements

Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work
GRE General (see the College's website for information on GRE waiver requirements)
Three Letters of Recommendation
500 word targeted essay
Resume

Type of Applicant	Fall	Spring	Summer
Domestic Applicants; US Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials; International Applicants seeking admissions under A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants	Deadline: February 1
International Applicants seeking admission under F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas	Deadline: February 1

Degree Requirements

Master of Library Science (M.L.S.)

The MLS degree requires 36 credit hours of academic work to be completed with a B minimum average within five calendar years from the first semester of registration. In the nonthesis option, all credits are course work. The thesis option requires 30 credits of course work and 6 credits of thesis research. A full-time MLS student usually completes the program in two years.

Students in the College have flexibility in completing the program. Students may take courses in the daytime and evening and may change from part-time to full-time and vice versa, as their circumstances permit. Most MLS courses are offered during the evening, but there are online sections offered on a rotating basis.

The History/Library Science (HILS) dual degree program requires 54 credit hours for the MLS and MA in History. The time limit for completion of all degree requirements for this dual degree program is five years.

Each student works with an advisor to design a suitable course of study. All MLS students must successfully complete the following 3 core courses in their first 18 credits:

* LBSC 602 Serving Information Needs

* LBSC 631 - Achieving Organizational Excellence

* LBSC 671 - Creating Information Infrastructures

And after 24 credit hours:

* LBSC 791 Designing Principled Inquiry

In addition all non-thesis MLS students are required to complete a required field study course. The section they take should correspond to their program of study:

* LBSC 703 Field Study in Archives, Records, and Information Management

* LBSC 707 Field Study in Library Service

* LBSC 744 Internship in School Library Programs

The remaining courses are electives selected by the student and a professional academic advisor in the iSchool.

At least 24 credits of the 36 required must be LBSC or INST courses taken at the College. A student may take courses in other UMCP departments or through the Consortium at other area institutions (limit of nine credits). Six credits may be transferred from another accredited graduate program and from Advanced Special Student status at UMCP. Information about policies and procedures governing degree requirements and courses taken outside the College is available from the College's Admissions and Student Affairs Office and on the College's website at www.ischool.umd.edu.

Specializations

Students may choose to specialize in one of the following areas:

* Archives, Records, and Information Management (College Park Campus Only)

* Curation and Management of Digital Assets (College Park Campus Only)

* Government Information Management and Services (Online Only)

* Information and Diverse Populations (College Park Campus)

* School Library Program (Online or Shady Grove Campus)

MLS students may work with their advisors to define their own course plans, and are certainly not required to pursue a specialization.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies (Ph.D.)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies is no longer coded under 'LBSC'. Please look under Information Studies (INFS) in the Graduate Catalog for more information on this program and its requirements.

Facilities and Special Resources

Special computing labs with a variety of general purpose and specialized hardware and software are operated by the College; in addition, students use numerous other labs on campus. The Instructional Development and Support Center is a nonprint media facility with equipment, materials, instruction, and individual assistance in all phases of audiovisual production and use.

Faculty and students participate in cooperative research with staff of the University Libraries, the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory, and other campus units. Students have access through cooperative arrangements and programs to the resources of Archives II, the National Agricultural Library, the Library of Congress, and other prominent research facilities.

Financial Assistance

The College offers a very limited number of scholarships and assistantships. For more information please visit the College website at www.ischool.umd.edu.

Contact Information

For specific information on the academic programs available in the College of Information Studies, admission procedures, or financial aid, contact:

Student Services Office
4110 Hornbake Building, College Park
MD 20742
Telephone: (301) 405-2038
Fax: (301) 314-9145
ischooladmission@umd.edu

http://www.ischool.umd.edu