Program Overview

Library and Information Science, M.L.I.S.

The M.L.I.S. in Library and Information Science emphasizes the rapidly changing needs in technology-enabled information provision. It focuses on the theory and practice of information collection, transmission, and utilization in traditional and electronic forms, including instruction in information classification and organization, storage and processing, transfer and dissemination, communication and networking, systems planning and design, human interfacing and use analysis, database development, and policy analysis.

Overview

Interdisciplinary in nature, the curriculum includes courses in informatics, the design and creation of information technology systems, human-centered technology design, the psychology of human information behavior, instructional methods, and resource and personnel management. It prepares students for positions of leadership in fields that require information specialists such as libraries, schools, museums, health care, business, and for a variety of roles in both public and private agencies.

Concentrations

In addition to the general M.L.I.S. degree, there are three concentrations that students may select:

• The Public Librarianship Concentration
• The School Library Media Coordinator Concentration
• The School Library Media Coordinator and Instructional Technology Dual Concentration

The School Library Media Coordinator Concentration prepares students to apply for 076 licensure. The School Library Media Coordinator and Instructional Technology Dual Concentration prepares students to apply for 076 and 077 licensure in North Carolina. All M.L.I.S. graduates may qualify for North Carolina Public Library Certification.

Accreditation

The M.L.I.S. program is accredited by the American Library Association and is approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the licensure of school library media (076) and instructional technology (077) personnel. The school library media specialist program is approved by CAEP using the AASL/ALA professional education association guidelines.

Program Format

The M.L.I.S. program with all concentrations is offered on the UNC Greensboro campus and online in a synchronous meeting format.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the application materials requested by the Graduate School, applicants for the M.L.I.S. program and for the licensure only programs must submit a resume and personal statement.

Public Librarianship Concentration

Applicants for the Public Librarianship Concentration must have:

• A 3.0 GPA
• Completed LIS 600 Foundations of Library and Information Science
• At least one year experience working in a public library in any capacity or LIS 691 Practicum course with a positive supervisor evaluation from the practicum site supervisor and the practicum course instructor

Degree Program Requirements

General M.L.I.S. Program

• Required: 36 or 42 credit hours
• The general M.L.I.S program is designed for those interested in working in academic libraries, public libraries, archives, special collections, or other information science fields
• Required Core Courses (15 credits)
  • LIS 600: Foundations of Library and Information Science (3 credits)
  • LIS 620: Information and Inquiry (3 credits)
  • LIS 640: Information Organization and Access (3 credits)
  • LIS 650: Leadership and Management in Information Organizations (3 credits)
  • LIS 698: Capstone Experience in Library and Information Science (3 credits)
• Additional Technology Requirement (3 credits)
  • Select one course (3 credits) from the following:
    • LIS 630: Computer Technologies for Information Management
    • LIS 631: Emerging Technology Trends
    • LIS 635: Introduction to Technology Resources
• Electives (18 credits)
  • Select 18 credits from graduate courses in LIS or cognate fields

Public Librarianship Concentration

• Required: 36 credit hours
• Required Core Courses (15 credits)
  • LIS 600: Foundations of Library and Information Science (3 credits)
  • LIS 620: Information and Inquiry (3 credits)
  • LIS 640: Information Organization and Access (3 credits)
  • LIS 650: Leadership and Management in Information Organizations (3 credits)
  • LIS 698: Capstone Experience in Library and Information Science (3 credits)
• Required Concentration Courses (9 credits)
  • LIS 655: The Public Library (3 credits)
  • LIS 685: Change and Project Management (3 credits)
  • Select one course (3 credits) from the following:
    • LIS 662: Information Services to Diverse Client Groups
    • LIS 663: Library Services for Young People
    • LIS 667: Information Services for Adults
    • LIS 668: Community Informatics
• Electives (12 credits)
  • Select one course (3 credits) from graduate-level LIS technology courses
  • Select three courses (9 credits) from the following:
    • LIS 604: The History of Libraries and Librarianship
    • LIS 610: Collection Development and Resource Management
    • LIS 617: Materials for Children
    • LIS 618: Materials for Adolescents
    • LIS 619: Storytelling
    • LIS 623: Online Searching and Research Skills
    • LIS 630: Computer Technologies for Information Management
    • LIS 631: Emerging Technology Trends
    • LIS 634: Libraries and Makerspaces
    • LIS 635: Introduction to Technology Resources
    • LIS 636: Website Production and Usability for Information Professionals
    • LIS 638: Technology, Equity, and Society
    • LIS 639: History of Information Technologies
    • LIS 641: Cataloging and Classification
    • LIS 643: Metadata
    • LIS 644: Digital Libraries
    • LIS 658: Archives and Records Management
    • LIS 661: Introduction to Research Methods
    • LIS 662: Information Services to Diverse Client Groups
    • LIS 663: Library Services for Young People
    • LIS 664: Reading, Literacy, and the Library
    • LIS 665: Information Literacy
    • LIS 666: Information Ethics and Policy
    • LIS 667: Information Services for Adults
    • LIS 668: Community Informatics
    • LIS 671: Designing Blended and eLearning Environments
    • LIS 672: Instructional Design
    • LIS 674: Seminar: Issues and the Virtual Community
    • LIS 678: Game Studies and Game Design
    • LIS 682: Seminar in Information Sources and Services
    • LIS 683: Archival Preservation, Curation, and Access
    • LIS 688: Seminar in Selected Topics
    • LIS 690: Independent Study

School Library Media Coordinator Concentration (076)

• Required: 36 credit hours
• The M.L.I.S. with a School Library Media Coordinator (076 licensure) Concentration program is designed for anyone who would like to work in public school libraries
• Required Core Courses (15 credits)
  • LIS 600: Foundations of Library and Information Science (3 credits)
  • LIS 620: Information and Inquiry (3 credits)
  • LIS 640: Information Organization and Access (3 credits)
  • LIS 650: Leadership and Management in Information Organizations (3 credits)
  • LIS 693: Practicum/Capstone Experience in School Library Media (3 credits)
• Designated Electives (15 credits)
  • LIS 617: Materials for Children (3 credits)
  • LIS 618: Materials for Adolescents (3 credits)
  • LIS 635: Introduction to Technology Resources (3 credits)
  • LIS 653: The School Library (3 credits)
  • LIS 654: School Library Media Specialist and the Curriculum (3 credits)
• Electives (6 credits)
  • Select 6 credits of electives from LIS graduate courses

School Library Media Coordinator and Instructional Technology Dual Concentration (076/077)

• Required: 42 credit hours
• The M.L.I.S. with a School Library Media Coordinator and Instructional Technology (076/077 licensure) Dual Concentration is designed for educators holding a teaching license who wish to focus their studies on school library and instructional technology
• Required Core Courses (15 credits)
  • LIS 600: Foundations of Library and Information Science (3 credits)
  • LIS 620: Information and Inquiry (3 credits)
  • LIS 640: Information Organization and Access (3 credits)
  • LIS 650: Leadership and Management in Information Organizations (3 credits)
  • LIS 693: Practicum/Capstone Experience in School Library Media (3 credits)
• Concentration Courses (27 credits)
  • LIS 617: Materials for Children (3 credits)
  • LIS 618: Materials for Adolescents (3 credits)
  • LIS 631: Emerging Technology Trends (3 credits)
  • LIS 635: Introduction to Technology Resources (3 credits)
  • LIS 653: The School Library (3 credits)
  • LIS 654: School Library Media Specialist and the Curriculum (3 credits)
  • LIS 672: Instructional Design (3 credits)
  • SES 662: Assistive Technology for Inclusive Education (3 credits)
  • TED 610: Integrating Technology into Subject Matter Instruction (3 credits)

Accelerated B.S. to M.L.I.S. in Library and Information Science

Application and Admission

Qualified UNC Greensboro undergraduate students who are pursuing the B.S. in Information Science may be nominated to participate in the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) by the Graduate Program Director. Students must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours with at least 30 credits and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5 at UNC Greensboro.

Courses

Admitted students may apply up to 9 credits of graduate-level course work toward completion of both the undergraduate and graduate degree, provided that they earn a grade of B (3.0) or better in the course and fulfill graduate-level requirements. The graduate courses the student will take within the Accelerated Master's Program in Library and Information Science must be approved by the Graduate Program Director and must be specified on the Accelerated Master's Program request from the following LIS courses:

• LIS 630: Computer Technologies for Information Management (3 credits)
• LIS 636: Website Production and Usability for Information Professionals (3 credits)
• LIS 638: Technology, Equity, and Society (3 credits)
• LIS 639: History of Information Technologies (3 credits)
• LIS 643: Metadata (3 credits)
• LIS 661: Introduction to Research Methods (3 credits)