Program Details

          "I wish I could find a program that I could complete during my free time."                    "I want a graduate education that I can readily apply to my workplace."                    "I want to enjoy my next degree and not feel pressured to compete with other students."                    "I don't have time to come to campus every week for classes, so my classes have to be designed for the distance learner."          

Core Classes (10 credit hours)

Click here for availability of the core courses. All MLS students participate in a series of four interdisciplinary core courses. These core courses are related to the organizing theme, "Ways of Knowing: A Foundation for Understanding and Exploring the Emerging Knowledge Society." This theme is broad enough to focus on historical and emerging "ways of knowing" in the core courses, yet defined enough for an individualized plan of study aimed at exploring and understanding the ways in which various knowledges are generated, researched, applied, and managed in our information based world. The following four courses are considered the core:

Customized Program of Study (18 hours)

Consultation between the graduate advisor and student should produce a customized program of study, also known as a concentration. The customized program of study should allow students enough latitude so as to explore varied and diverse areas relevant to a programmatic theme. The basic program of study should be determined as the student and graduate advisor discuss the student's needs and expectations. Many programs offer classes in rotation such that students may be exposed to the widest possible variety of experiences.

Culminating Experience (3 hours)

The final 3 credit hours that a student must complete is the culminating experience. The culminating experience may take a variety of forms. It has been common for graduate candidates to complete any of the following: internship, practicum, traditional thesis/paper, portfolio. The culminating experience should be prepared in close consultation with the graduate advisor and the graduate committee. For more information on the requirements of the internship or practicum option please check with your graduate advisor. Some departments ask students to work just with their advisor and other departments ask the graduate student to work with a committee.

Students are required to take comprehensive examinations in compliance with the Graduate School policy. It is recommended that comprehensive exams be taken in the last semester that you are taking regular coursework.

Admission to MLS Program Process

Once you have been admitted to the MLS program, please follow the MLS Checklist and carefully read The MLS Student Handbook.