PhD in Library and Information Science

Program Overview

The flexible program emphasizes scholarship, teaching, and service, preparing graduates for research and faculty positions in the field. Students benefit from close faculty mentorship, a collaborative cohort, and opportunities for synergy with master's students.

Program Outline

The program emphasizes scholarship, teaching, and service, preparing students for research and faculty positions.

Objectives:

• Develop in-depth familiarity with scholarship in the field of library, archival, and information science.
• Articulate prominent theories in the field of library, archival, and information science.
• Identify researchable problems and apply relevant research studies, research designs, and methodologies to problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Analyze and present information, including research proposals and findings, clearly and accurately in various formats.
• Conduct qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method research studies by engaging in reflective inquiry, performing data collection and analysis, composing research reports, and producing publications and a dissertation.
• Engage in teaching activities, develop appropriate unit- or course-level student learning outcomes, and plan and implement learning experiences that assist students in achieving those outcomes.
• Lead service activities for local, national, or international professional associations and communities.

Program Description:

The program is flexible, allowing students to take classes fully online, at the Boston campus, or a combination of both. Core courses are offered in synchronous and asynchronous online formats, with electives available online or face-to-face. Students work closely with experienced faculty and other master's and doctoral students through analytical papers, experience reports, teaching and service activities, and self-reflective essays. The program emphasizes scholarship, teaching, and service, preparing students for research and faculty positions.

Teaching:

• Students work closely with faculty through analytical papers, experience reports, teaching and service activities, and self-reflective essays.
• The program provides guided preparation in the three areas of scholarship, teaching, and service.
• Students benefit from an extensive alumni community (and the New England LIS community) that enriches the doctoral experience.

Careers:

• The program prepares students for research and faculty positions.
• Students emerge from the program with a strong research record, solid teaching experience, a high professional activity standing, and a portfolio documenting their academic achievements and scholarly expertise in their areas of study.

Other:

• The program is composed of a cohesive and collaborative cohort of students who are mentored from enrollment through completion of the dissertation.
• Students are able to research a variety of dissertation topics within library and information science as well as information professions.
• Students work with a faculty advisor to tailor the program to their interests and career goals.
• The program provides rich opportunities for synergy between doctoral and master's students.
Collaborative research and group work enrich the learning experience and foster a stimulating classroom environment. Doctoral students offer colloquia open to master's students, and mentoring opportunities are available.
• Doctoral studies can be conducted at various intersections of setting, audience, and activity.