Kathy Latrobe, Director and Graduate Liaison
Maggie Ryan, Coordinator, Admissions/Academic and Student Support Services
120 Bizzell Library
Norman, OK 73019-6032
Phone: (405) 325-3921
FAX: (405) 325-7648
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/cas/slis/
e-mail: slisinfo@lists.ou.edu
Professors Hawamdeh, Latrobe, S. H. Lee, Lester, Patterson, Swisher, Van Fleet, Wallace; Associate Professors Brown, R. Taylor; Assistant Professors Burke, Martens, Kim, Yi.
Academic, public, school, and special libraries and information centers; health sciences; children’s literature and youth services; knowledge management; Native American services; and library technology.
The primary focus of Information Studies is the information enterprise broadly defined. Graduates will be prepared to explore and analyze information needs and work within the organizational context to develop appropriate and effective approaches to satisfying those needs. The central theme of the Information Studies program is facilitating the link between people, whether individuals or groups, and the information necessary to their success. The goals of the Information Studies program are 1) to provide a broadly based liberal arts education focused on the knowledge, skills, and values required to design, implement, and manage information operations in any organizational setting, and 2) to prepare graduates for careers in an increasingly information-rich and information-based global society.
The Bachelor of Arts in Information Studies is an interdisciplinary program that draws courses from a variety of departments and schools. Requirements for the major in Information Studies total 39 semester hours, including an 18 semester hour required Information Studies core and 21 additional semester hours in Information Studies and cognate disciplines. Students must also complete the General Education requirements designated by the College of Arts and Sciences and any prerequisite courses required for courses in the Information Studies curriculum. The 18 semester hour required core consists of the following courses:
The remaining 21 semester hours include courses from six key content areas: Economics, Information and Enterprise, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, Leadership, and Information in Society. A grade of C or better is required for all major courses.
The admission policy of the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) has as its goal the selection of persons who are academically well-qualified and who exhibit a potential for contribution in the area of library and information services. The School of Library and Information Studies encourages applications from students with diverse educational, geographical, and intellectual backgrounds.
In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, applicants to the must also meet the admissions requirements for the Master of Library and Information Studies degree program. Compliance with those requirements is demonstrated by presentation of the following documents:
1. An application to the Master of Library and Information Studies program.
2. A statement of purpose and goals including a specific professional career plan and a self-assessment of relevant prior experience.
3. A professional resumé.
4. Three letters of recomendation, each with a completed SLIS evaluation form, from persons familiar with the applicant’s scholastic or employment record.
5. Scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). GRE scores are not required from applicants who have completed a post-baccalaureate degree with a GPA of at least 3.20 on a four-point scale.
Full Graduate Standing
An applicant may be granted full graduate standing if:
1. all required documentation has been submitted and determined to be complete, and
2. the applicant has been determined to be acceptable for admission to the Graduate College, and
3. the applicant’s academic record indicates a grade point average of at least 3.20 for the last 60 hours of letter-graded undergraduate coursework or has completed a master’s degree or at least 12 semester hours of letter-graded graduate coursework with a cumulative 3.00 grade point average for all graduate work, and
4. the applicant submits valid Graduate Record Examination scores.
Conditional Admission
A graduate of an accredited four-year institution whose grade point average is below 3.20 but not less than 2.80, and who has met all other requirements for admission to full graduate standing may be admitted conditionally. A student whose grade point average is below 2.80, but who has met all other requirements, may apply for admission after completing at least 12 hours at the undergraduate (3000 or above) level in an effort to improve the grade point average and demonstrate academic competence.
Transfer Credit
Students who transfer from another graduate program at the University of Oklahoma or from another institution may be admitted to full graduate standing in the School of Library and Information Studies if they have satisfied all of the requirements listed above. For applicability of transfer credit toward the degree sought, see also the general regulations of the Graduate College.
No more than nine hours taken prior to admission to the MLIS program may count toward the MLIS degree. Students enrolled in unclassified status are cautioned to submit a complete application before they have completed 12 hours.
All transfer credit must be approved by the University's Office of Admissions and the School’s Admission Committee. The conditions for transfer of credit include the following:
1. All hours must be graduate hours from an accredited institution, graded A or B, and must not have been applied toward another degree.
2. All Library and Information Studies hours must be from an ALA accredited program.
3. All hours must be related to and supportive of each individual’s program.
The student is responsible for submitting a written request to the Admissions Committee, asking for consideration of the transfer hours and providing documentation regarding the applicability of such coursework.
Denial of Admission
Students who have been denied admission to the MLIS program may not enroll in Library and Information Studies courses. This restriction includes students who change their status to unclassified after denial of admission to the program. Students who have been denied and who enroll in graduate LIS courses may be disenrolled by the School.
Appeals
Any applicant who feels that he or she has been wrongly denied admission to the MLIS program may appeal in writing to the Admissions, Financial Aid, and Academic Standing Committee.
The admission policy of the Master of Science in Knowledge Management (MSKM) degree program has as its goal the selection of persons who are academically well-qualified and who exhibit a potential for assuming leadership roles in creating knowledge-sharing cultural environments within organizations. The School of Library and Information Studies encourages applications from students with diverse educational, geographical, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
Applicants for admission to the MSKM degree program must meet the admissions criteria established by the University of Oklahoma Graduate College. Detailed information on admission to graduate study at the University of Oklahoma is provided in the Graduate College Bulletin.
In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, applicants must also meet the admissions requirements for the Master of Science in Knowledge Management (MSKM) degree program. Compliance with those requirements is demonstrated by presentation of the following documents:
1. An application to the Master of Science in Knowledge Management program.
2. A statement of purpose and goals, including a specific professional career plan and a self-assessment of relevant prior experience.
3. A professional resumé.
4. Three letters of reference from persons familiar with the applicant’s scholastic or employment record.
5. Scores for the Graduate Record Examination; GRE scores are not required for applicants who have completed a post-baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of at least 3.20 on a 4-point scale.
Full Graduate Standing
An applicant may be granted full graduate standing if:
1. all required documentation has been submitted and determined to be complete, and
2. the applicant has been determined to be acceptable for admission to the Graduate College, and
3. the applicant's academic record indicates a grade point average of at least 3.20 for the last 60 hours of letter-graded undergraduate course work or has completed a master's degree or at least 12 semester hours of letter-graded graduate coursework with a cumulative 3.00 grade point average for all graduate work, and
4. the applicant submits valid Graduate Record Examination scores.
Conditional Admission
A graduate of an accredited four-year institution whose grade point average is below 3.20 but not less than 2.80, and who has met all other requirements for admission to full graduate standing may be admitted conditionally. A student whose grade point average is below 2.80, but who has met all other requirements, may apply for admission after completing at least 12 hours at the undergraduate (3000 or above) level in an effort to improve the grade point average and demonstrate academic competence.
Transfer Credit
Students who transfer from another graduate program at the University of Oklahoma or from another institution may be admitted to full graduate standing in the School of Library and Information Studies if they have satisfied all of the requirements listed above. For applicability of transfer credit toward the degree sought, see also the general regulations of the Graduate College.
No more than nine hours may be transferred into the MSKM program from an institution other than Oklahoma State University; students may petition to transfer up to 15 hours of Oklahoma State University graduate credit.
All transfer credit must be approved by the University’s Office of Admissions and the School’s Admission Committee. The conditions for transfer of credit include the following:
1. All hours must be graduate hours from an accredited institution, graded A or B, and must not have been applied toward another degree.
2. All hours must be related to and supportive of each individual's program.
Denial of Admission
Students who have been denied admission to the MSKM program may not enroll in Library and Information Studies courses. This restriction includes students who change their status to unclassified after denial of admission to the program. Students who have been denied and who enroll in graduate LIS courses may be disenrolled by the School.
Appeals
Any applicant who feels that he or she has been wrongly denied admission to the MSKM program may appeal in writing to the Admissions, Financial Aid, and Academic Standing Committee.
A senior undergraduate student not admitted to the School of Library and Information Studies may enroll in graduate courses offered by the school with the instructor’s permission. If the courses meet the conditions established by the Graduate College for graduate credit, they may be accepted as degree credits in the School of Library and Information Studies. Admission of undergraduates to the School of Library and Information Studies is based upon policy described in the general regulations in the Graduate College Bulletin. Students should be aware of the school's additional requirements governing admission and should contact the school before attempting to enroll.
A student is expected to complete work for the master’s degree within five calendar years from the student’s first graduate enrollment in the School of Library and Information Studies. See the general regulations of the Graduate College for an extension of time.
If a student withdraws from the school, readmission may be obtained by petitioning the school. If one year or more has elapsed since enrollment, the student must also apply for readmission to the Graduate College. While in most cases courses taken in previous terms in residence will be applied to the student’s degree, some courses may not be applied toward the degree. This will more likely be the case with courses taken five or more years in the past, but it may also apply to courses taken at a more recent time. The School of Library and Information Studies Committee on Admissions, Financial Aid and Academic Standing will evaluate each case on its particular merits.
A student may apply at any time of the year for admission to a degree program in the School of Library and Information Studies, but must comply with University deadlines.
A student cannot carry more than 16 hours of graduate credit in any regular semester, or more than nine hours in a summer session, without permission of the Dean of the Graduate College. Graduate students who are employed must reduce the number of credit hours carried in proportion to the number of hours worked. This will necessarily extend the time required to complete the degree program.
When a student has been admitted to a degree program in the School of Library and Information Studies, it is assumed that the student will enroll in the program at the first registration period following completion of the admission requirements. At the student’s request, enrollment may be postponed for as much as one calendar year. If the delay exceeds one year, the entire application procedure must be reinitiated.
When the student is accepted by the school, a faculty adviser is assigned and noted in the student’s letter of acceptance. Upon acceptance to the program and prior to the completion of 12 hours at the latest (including any hours taken before official admission to the program), any student in the MLIS or MSKM program must file with the School a program of study showing which courses are to constitute the 36 hours to be taken for the degree, including any courses to be taken at the University of Oklahoma outside the school and any courses transferred from another institution. Students are required to work with the adviser during attendance at the school and must consult with the adviser prior to enrollment each semester. The student should also consult the adviser at any time that academic or career-related problems arise. A student’s request for a change of adviser will be given due consideration.
The School of Library and Information Studies offers the only American Library Association-accredited master's degree program in Oklahoma. The Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree may be taken as either a thesis or nonthesis option. While it is possible to complete the degree in one calendar year, most students take their coursework over a longer period of time. The degree must be completed within five calendar years from the time of initial enrollment.
Candidates for the MLIS, nonthesis option must fulfill the following:
1. Complete the following four, three-hour courses:
2. Complete 15 hours of guided electives.
3. Maintain a B grade point average. A maximum of two grades of C may be applied toward the degree. Students receiving a grade of D or F in any letter-graded LIS course will be removed from the program. Additionally, any required course in which a student earns a grade of C must be repeated (three grades of C result in termination from the program). A student cannot use the course in which the grade of C was earned toward fulfillment of degree requirements.
4. Complete a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit.
5. Pass a written comprehensive examination, or develop and defend a student portfolio.
Requirements for the thesis option are the same, except that no comprehensive examination or portfolio is required, and the student must complete and defend a thesis. Six credit hours are allowed for thesis research.
A student may enroll for degree credit in courses outside the School, but the courses chosen must relate closely to and support the student’s program as a whole. A student wishing to take courses outside the School must include those courses on the program plan and obtain his/her adviser’s signature.
Specialist Option—Health Sciences Librarianship
Medical, hospital, social science agencies, and other health-related agencies need information specialists educated in health sciences librarianship. The School of Library and Information Studies offers the following courses to students interested in pursuing a career in this area: LIS 5613, Biomedical Bibliography and Reference Materials; LIS 5623, Biomedical Data Bases; and LIS 5823, Internship in Library/Information Centers. The courses are held at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Students should discuss a full program in this area with their advisers.
Dual Degree Programs
In its quest to provide alternative educational opportunities for students wishing to specialize in a variety of areas, the School of Library and Information Studies has developed a number of specialized programs. In addition, the Generic Dual Master’s degree program is available for students who wish to earn dual master’s degrees not specified by the School.
Master of Library and Information Studies (M.L.I.S.)/Master of Education (M.Ed.)
The purpose of this program is to provide a course of study for those individuals wishing to pursue careers in education, such as school library media centers, vocational-technical libraries, junior college media centers, special education centers, correctional facilities, armed forces libraries and educational centers; or in business and industry with emphasis in instructional media.
The dual degrees offered are the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) and the Master of Education (M.Ed.) with emphasis on instructional psychology and technology. Program requirements are structured to provide students with maximum professional education. Admission, retention, advisement, and graduation requirements are administered jointly by both the School of Library and Information Studies and the College of Education. Students wishing more information should contact both academic units. Most of the courses required for the education portion of this degree are offered only at the Norman campus.
Master of Library and Information Studies (M.L.I.S.)/Master of Arts (History of Science)
The School of Library and Information Studies and the Department of History of Science offer a dual degree program for their two fields. Students apply and are accepted by each department. Dual degree students work with a joint advising committee made up of faculty from both units. The requirements for the master’s degree in each department must be met.
The School of Library and Information Studies offers a program leading to completion of the MLIS degree program and the Oklahoma Standard School Library Media Specialist Certificate. A student interested in pursuing the School Library Media Specialist Certificate should plan a program of study with the assigned adviser as soon as possible to coordinate the OU certification requirements with the student's previously developed competencies as documented by transcripts and to ensure that needed courses will be accessible on the SLIS course rotation schedule. Completion of the MLIS program and preparation for the School Library Media Specialist Certificate may require additional coursework beyond the 36 hours required for the MLIS.
Students seeking the masters’ degree in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) and the Standard School Library Media Specialist Certificate must:
1. Hold a valid initial standard teaching. The school library media certificate is an advanced certificate that may be added to an initial certificate in early childhood education, elementary education, elementary-secondary education, secondary education, or vocational-technical education, or in another area approved by the state.
2. Fulfill requirements for the MLIS degree.
3. Fulfill requirements for the NCATE-approved school library media program for competencies attained through the following courses or their equivalents:
4. Fulfill requirements for the student portfolio required by the Oklahoma Commission on Teacher Preparation.
5. Successfully complete the state teaching examination for the specialized subject area for school library media.
After completion of 1-5 above, the University of Oklahoma will recommend the student for standard library media specialist certification by the state.
The Master of Science in Knowledge Management (MSKM) degree was created in response to an increasing need for knowledge managers in business, industry, education, government, and public service organizations. The program is designed to provide students with an understanding of not only the contemporary business and technology issues relevant to the firm/industry, but also the 'people issues' that are playing an increasingly important role in organizational knowledge creation processes. The course of study is designed to prepare graduates who understand knowledge management concepts, are familiar with knowledge management tools, can facilitate mapping of knowledge assets in organizations, are skilled in the tools and processes of market intelligence, are prepared to effectively exploit intellectual capital, understand the value and roles of competitive analysis, can design and implement knowledge management systems, and are prepared to assume leadership roles in creating a knowledge-sharing culture within organizations. Graduates will acquire the combined capabilities of a business strategist, technology analyst, and a human resource professional. Although courses for this degree will be multi-disciplinary and interdepartmental, the School of Library and Information Studies assumes administrative and operational oversight.
Candidates for the MSKM non-thesis option must fulfill the following:
1. Complete the following four, three-hour courses:
2. Complete 15 hours of guided electives.
3. Maintain a B grade point average.
4. Complete a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit.
5. Pass a written comprehensive examination.
Requirements for the thesis option are the same, except that no comprehensive examination is taken, and the student must complete and defend a thesis. Six credit hours are allowed for thesis research.
The generic dual master’s degree allows a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma the option of seeking master’s degrees in each of any two areas of his/her choosing. In order to pursue the generic dual master’s degree, the student must be admitted to both programs before 12 credit hours of program work is completed in either program. Once admitted to both programs, the student will be admitted into the Generic Dual Master’s Degree Program. Further details are available in University bulletins and from the individual departments.
Certificate of Advanced Study
The growth in the number and variety of information resources demands increased specialization. Practicing librarians and information specialists have attempted to attain this specialization in various ways — on the job training, short courses, workshops — generally through an unsystematic process with obvious costs in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. To respond to technological and other changes in the profession, the School of Library and Information Studies has developed a program of study beyond the master’s degree, one that will lead to the Certificate of Advanced Study.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the program are: (1) to provide librarians/information specialists with the opportunity to upgrade and update knowledge in library and information studies; (2) to provide librarians/information specialists with an opportunity to redirect or strengthen their present career paths; (3) to develop an awareness of the role, significance, and importance of research in library/information studies and its application in the field; and (4) to provide MLIS students with the opportunity to obtain additional specialized skills and competencies in order to improve their career prospects.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be admitted, a student must:
1. hold a master’s degree in Library Information Studies from an institution with a Library and Information Studies degree program accredited by the American Library Association;
2. have completed a minimum of two years of professional experience broadly related to Library Information Studies after completion of the master’s degree.
Applicants who have not completed two years of professional experience after receipt of the master’s degree should petition the Admissions Committee of the School of Library and Information Studies for special permission to enter the Sixth Year Certificate Program. Such a petition must indicate: (a) reasons for waiving this requirement; (b) special training, skills, competencies, or other factors that would contribute to the success of the applicant in the program, and (c) the applicant’s potential for successful completion of the program.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Prospective students must submit an application for admission to the University and transcripts of academic performance to the Office of Admissions, 1000 Asp Avenue Room 127, Norman OK 73019-4076.
Applicants must send an application for admission and three letters of reference to the School of Library and Information Studies. The letters should be sent only in those instances where there are no references on file, or existing letters of reference are three or more years old. Graduate Record Examination scores are not required.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Thirty hours of coursework beyond that taken as part of a master’s degree in Library Information Studies are required for the certificate. Credit hours for completion for the Sixth Year Certificate requirements may include post-master’s coursework, regularly offered master’s level coursework, and graduate courses offered in other departments of the University.
In order to ensure a unified program of study tailored to meet the individual needs and interests of the student, the Director of the School will appoint a committee of three, consisting of a chair and two faculty members who will work closely with the student and develop a written program of studies for the 30 credit hours.
Prior to enrollment in the program, the tentative program of studies must be approved by the Director of the School. Students may take up to nine credit hours outside the School of Library and Information Studies.
RETENTION STANDARDS
The student enrolled in any program of the School of Library and Information Studies must maintain acceptable academic standards in order to remain in the school. Students admitted to full graduate standing in the school must maintain an overall B average in all courses attempted. If at the end of any semester a student’s cumulative grade point average has fallen below 3.00, the student will be placed on academic probation for the next semester (or summer session) in which the student enrolls. If the student fails to raise the total cumulative grade point average to 3.00 in the next 12 hours in which the student enrolls, the student will be dropped from the school.
When students who have been conditionally admitted have completed the first 12 hours in their program, they must have achieved a grade point average of 3.00 or better for all graduate-level courses attempted or they will be denied re-enrollment. Further, they must have met the conditions set out in their letter of conditional admission, including successful completion of designated courses.
Graduate College regulations require a grade average not lower than B on all graduate work attempted for eligibility for any graduate degree. The School of Library and Information Studies requires that a student receiving more than six credit hours of C or lower in letter-graded courses in Library and Information Studies be dropped from the School’s rolls. This requirement will be observed regardless of a student’s overall grade point average. Additionally, any student who has been admitted to the MLIS program receiving a grade of D or lower in any letter-graded LIS graduate course will be withdrawn from the program.
A student who has received two or more I (incomplete) grades that have not been changed to passing grades normally will not be permitted to enroll for another semester’s work.
Certain courses in the School of Library and Information Studies may be graded on a S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) basis. A grade of S is equivalent to a grade of B or better. Students may not enroll in more than 12 hours of Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory graded courses as credit toward completion of degree requirements.
Student records are evaluated at the end of each semester. The director will notify any student whose academic performance is less than satisfactory by letter.