Library and Information Studies, MA draft
Program Overview
Introduction to the Library and Information Studies Program
The University of WisconsinMadison offers a master's degree in Library and Information Studies through its Information School (iSchool). This ALA-accredited program prepares graduates to develop, provide, and assess information services in a diverse, technological, and global society.
Program Description
The master's degree at the iSchool prepares information professionals to work in multiple areas, including libraries, archives, digital librarianship, and information organization. Students can tailor their program to include emphases such as Tribal Libraries, Archives and Museums, social justice, and digital humanities.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the program obtain employment in various fields, including:
- College and university librarianship
- Public librarianship
- Youth and young adult librarianship
- Electronic collections management
- Science and health librarianship
- Research data management
- School library media centers
- Digital asset management
- Digital preservation and curation
- Digital archives
- Corporate archives
- Government archives
- Special collections
- Tribal libraries archives and museums
- User experience and web design
- Digital humanities
- Digital asset management and curation
- Database and data management
- IT training/instruction
- Metadata management
- Taxonomy and ontology development and implementation
- Cataloging
- XML and linked data
- Database management
Program Structure
Full-time students generally complete the master's program in two academic years, while part-time students complete it in three to four years. The program includes a required field practicum, which provides hands-on experience.
Named Options
Students can choose from two named options:
- Campus Program
- Online Program
Optional Specializations
The Information School offers several specializations, including:
- Business School Graduate/Professional Certificate in Strategic Innovation
- Certificate in Leadership
- Double degrees with the UW Law School, the School of Music, and the Department of Art History
- School Library Media Specialist License
Accreditation
The Information School master's program is accredited by the American Library Association.
Admissions
Students apply to the Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies through one of the named options.
Funding
The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees. Resources to help afford graduate study include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies.
Major Requirements
The program requires:
- Minimum of 36 credits
- Minimum of 30 credits in residence
- Minimum of 30 credits of graduate-level coursework
- Overall graduate GPA of 3.00
- Completion of a minimum of a 120-hour practicum and a PLO Assessment
Policies
Students should refer to one of the named options for policy information.
Professional Development
The Graduate School offers professional development resources to build skills and launch careers.
Learning Outcomes
The program has seven learning outcomes, including:
- Demonstrate understanding of societal, legal, policy, or ethical information issues.
- Employ appropriate tools, standards, or best practices to organize information or information carriers for usability and access.
- Design appropriate research methodologies to assess programs, services, or systems for inquiry or decision-making.
- Demonstrate understanding of professional competencies important for management of information organizations.
- Demonstrate competency with information technologies important to the information professions.
- Apply concepts, principles, or theories learned in courses to field practice.
- Demonstrate an understanding of systemic inequalities surrounding information organization, use, services, or professions.
Research Areas
The Information School faculty are known for scholarly work in areas such as:
- Data and information policy and ethics
- User behaviors and literacies
- Print culture
- Library and information technology history
- Electronic publishing
- Information and communications technologies (ICT) and development
- The social aspects of ICT
- Medical information and medical information technologies
- Youth and new media
Community
The Information School is well known for its public-good, community-engagement orientation, with student organizations and events that promote information justice and community involvement.