Program Overview

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Library and Information Studies: Campus Program, MA

The ALA-accredited master's degree at the Information School (iSchool) prepares graduates to develop, provide, and assess information services that create, collect, organize, store, analyze, find, distribute, and use information in a diverse, technological, and global society.

Program Description

The program prepares information professionals to work in multiple areas of the information professions, including libraries (public, university and college, youth services, special, and government), archives, digital librarianship (which includes user experience and data analytics/management), and information organization. Students can tailor their program to include other emphases such as Tribal Libraries, Archives and Museums, social justice, and digital humanities.

Career Opportunities

• Librarianship: Graduates obtain employment in college and university librarianship, public librarianship, youth and young adult librarianship, electronic collections management, science and health librarianship, research data management, and school library media centers.
• Archives in a Digital Age: Graduates obtain employment in digital asset management, digital preservation and curation, digital archives, corporate archives, government archives, special collections, and tribal libraries archives and museums.
• Digital Libraries: Design, develop, and manage information technologies with a focus on the user. Potential jobs include user experience and web design, digital humanities, digital asset management and curation, database and data management, and IT training/instruction.
• Organization of Information: Graduates obtain employment in metadata management, taxonomy and ontology development and implementation, digital asset management, cataloging, XML and linked data, and database management.

Program Structure

Full-time students generally complete the master's program in two academic years; part-time students complete it in three to four years. Students gain hands-on experience as part of their degree through the schools required field practicum. Students may choose practicum settings based on their career goals.

Named Options

Students interested in the Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies should refer to one of the named options:

• Campus Program
• Online Program

Optional Specializations

The Information School hosts several specializations that require specific coursework from other departments or other requirements.

• Business School Graduate/Professional Certificate in Strategic Innovation: The Information School offers a specialization in information innovation and organizational change in conjunction with the School of Business graduate/professional certificate which can be completed as part of the school's MA degree (on-campus program only).
• Certificate in Leadership: iSchool students can earn the UWMadison Certificate in Leadership as part of their Information School MA degree (on-campus and online programs).
• Double degrees: The iSchool offers double degrees with the UW Law School, the School of Music, and the Department of Art History. These require separate admissions and additional coursework. (on-campus program only)
• School Library Media Specialist License: The School Library Media Specialist License in the State of Wisconsin is a stand-alone teaching license. The iSchool MA program can be modified to provide candidates with the educational requirements for the license taken in addition to the MA courses. Candidates already holding a valid Wisconsin teaching license can be endorsed for the School Library Media Specialist through the iSchool MA program.

Accreditation

The Information School master's program is accredited by the American Library Association, recognized by the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning for certification of public librarians, and recognized by the state's Department of Public Instruction for preparation of school library media specialists.

About the Information School

The UWMadison Information School, "the iSchool," is a professional school offering several degrees and non-credit education that prepare students for careers in the information professions.

• The iSchool MA degree is a professional master's that prepares information professionals to work in multiple areas of the information professions.
• The Capstone Certificate in User Experience Design is an educational credential aimed at working adults who seek further education to advance their careers or move into new fields without the commitment of a full master's degree.
• The PhD degree provides advanced academic preparation for those wishing to pursue careers in academia, industrial research, or policymaking.
• The Undergraduate Digital Studies Certificate provides undergraduate coursework in information technologies and society and information management.
• The iSchool offers non-credit continuing education short courses that help information professionals stay up to date.

Community

The Information School at UWMadison is well known for its public-good, community-engagement orientation. It is home to student organizations that shepherd information-justice projects including the Jail Library Group, the Tribal Library Archives and Museums Group, and the KidsLib and Beyond Group. Student groups at the iSchool are very active and organize and sponsor events.

Research & Scholarship

The Information School faculty are known for scholarly work in the areas of:

• 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, and transnational diaspora use of ICT
• The social aspects of ICT
• Medical information and medical information technologies
• Youth and new media

Admissions

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).

• Fall Deadline: December 15
• Spring Deadline: The program does not admit in the spring.
• Summer Deadline: The program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
• English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy.
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Funding

The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate Schools Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously.

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: Students may transfer up to 6 credits of approved graduate coursework from other institutions.
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: With approval, UWMadison undergraduates accepted into the Information School program may transfer up to 7 graduate iSchool credits toward their MA degree.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy and iSchool Student Handbook.

Advisor / Committee

All continuing students are encouraged to meet with their advisor prior to registering for each semester in order to remove registration holds and ensure timely progress towards degree completion.

Credits Per Term Allowed

The iSchool recommends 9 credits per semester and a maximum of 4 credits per summer term.

Time Limits

The maximum period for completion of the MA (under special circumstances) is seven calendar years.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance
• Employee Disability Resource Office
• Graduate School
• Office of Compliance
• Office Student Assistance and Support
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff
• Title IX

Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 36 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 30 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 30 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Assessments and Examinations: Candidates must complete a minimum of a 120-hour practicum, and must complete a PLO Assessment.
• Language Requirements: No language requirements.

Required Courses

• Core: All three courses are required; take L I S 602 in the first semester and L I S 601 in the first or second semester. L I S 603 can be taken at any time.
  • L I S 601: Information: Perspectives and Contexts
  • L I S 602: Information: Organization and Search
  • L I S 603: Research and Assessment for Information Professionals
• Tier Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): Complete one of the following courses.
• Tier Management: Complete one of the following courses.
• Tier Technology: Complete one of the following courses.
• Tier LIS Fundamentals: Complete two of the following courses.
• Capstone: 3 credits
• PLO Assessment: Students are required to complete a PLO Assessment prior to graduation. This is a non-credit bearing requirement.
• Electives: Suggested courses are based on potential concentrations. Students do not declare concentrations and may mix and match courses across areas. Students may take up to 6 credits of electives outside of the iSchool. All non-L I S electives must be approved by the students advisor.