Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
School of Communication, Information and Library Studies
 
Message from the Dean
About the University
About the School
Academic Programs Available
Financial Aid
Academic Policies and Procedures
Undergraduate Programs
Master of Communication and Information Studies Program
Master of Library and Information Science Program
Program
Careers in Library and Information Professions
Admissions
Faculty
Degree Requirements
Curriculum
Specializations
School Library Media Certification
Other Academic Opportunities
Courses
Ph.D. Program in Communication, Information, and Library Studies
Professional Development Studies
Faculty and Administration
Divisions of the University
Camden Newark New Brunswick/Piscataway
Catalogs
  School of Communication and Information 2011–2013 Master of Library and Information Science Program Curriculum  

Curriculum

The faculty regularly revises the master of library and information science (M.L.I.S.) curriculum to assure that our students interact with the most up-to-date information, technologies, and professional issues. Current information is available on the program website at http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/master-of-library-and-information-science/program-information.html.

Courses in the M.L.I.S. program are organized around six themes in the field of library and information science. Six lead courses, one in each area, form the foundation of the curriculum and offer general knowledge of the major principles and issues of the field. Two or more central courses in each theme offer basic understanding and competencies in important components of the field. Specialization courses in each theme allow students to develop expertise in preparation for specific career objectives.

Students work with an adviser to design a plan of study by selecting courses to meet their interests and career goals. The program website lists sample Plans of Study for examples. Thirty-six credits, or 12 courses, are required to earn an M.L.I.S. degree.

The six themes with their core, central, and specialization courses are outlined below. Course descriptions and pre- and corequisites are listed in this catalog.

Human-Information Interaction

Lead course

510 - Human Information Behavior

Central courses

511 - Research Methods
518 - Designing User-Centered Information Services and Systems

Specialization courses

512 - Interface Design
514 - Learning Theory, Media, and the Curriculum
515 - Traditions in Oral Narration
516 - Children's and Youth Services
517 - Planning Outreach Services
519 - Information Literacy, Learning, and Teaching

Organization of Information

Lead course

520 - Organizing Information

Central courses

522 - Cataloging and Classification
524 - Metadata for Information Professionals

Specialization coursesN/A

Information Access

Lead course

530 - Principles of Searching

Central courses

540 - Reference Sources and Services

Specialization courses

532 - Collection Development and Management
533 - Manuscripts and Archives
534 - Records Management
535 - Competitive Intelligence
541 - Government Information Resources
542 - Information Resources in Science and Technology
543 - Information Resources in Business and Economics
544 - Information Resources in the Humanities
545 - Information Resources in the Health Sciences
546 - Information Resources in Law
547 - Materials for Children
548 - Materials for Young Adults
549 - Information Resources in the Social Sciences

Information Systems

Lead course

550 - Information Technology for Libraries and Information Agencies

Central courses

551 - Information Retrieval
552 - Understanding Library Systems & Software Applications
553 - Digital Libraries

Specialization courses

554 - Information Visualization and Presentation
555 - Multimedia Production
556 - Preservation of Library and Archival Materials
557 - Database Design and Management
558 - Digital Library Technology

Management

Lead course

570 - Management of Libraries and Information Centers

Central courses

571 - Leadership in Theory and Practice
574 - Knowledge Management in Organizations

Specialization courses

572 - Evaluation of Library and Information Services and Systems
573 - Financial Management for Library and Information Organizations
575 - Management of School Library Media Programs
576 - Supervision in the Media Center
578 - Interpersonal Communication for Information Professionals

Information and Society

Lead course

580 - Knowledge Structures and the Information Professions

Central courses

581 - Social Informatics
582 - Information Policy

Specialization courses

583 - Social History of Children's Literature
584 - Intellectual Freedom
585 - Reading Interests of Adults
586 - The History of Books, Documents, and Records in Print and Electronic Environments
587 - Understanding, Designing, and Building Social Media
588 - Social Media Research

Required Noncredit Classes

501 - Introduction to Library and Information Professions
502 - Colloquium in Library and Information Studies
503 - ePortfolio Capstone

Navigating the Curriculum

All of the classes listed above are available on the New Brunswick Campus. About half of them are also available for online learning.

Both on-campus and online students should consult with their advisers regularly to plan their studies to meet degree requirements and career objectives.

Students pursuing school library media certification must consult with an adviser in order to be assured of both meeting all requirements for the M.L.I.S. degree and qualifying for state certification.

 
For additional information, contact RU-info at 732-445-info (4636) or colonel.henry@rutgers.edu.
Comments and corrections to: Campus Information Services.

© 2012 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. All rights reserved.