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 departmental website at http://www.scils.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 - User Instruction |
Organization of Information
| Lead course | 520 - Organizing Information |
| Central courses | 521 - Knowledge Representation for Information Retrieval
522 - Cataloging and Classification
523 - Classification for Information Display and Discovery |
| Specialization courses | N/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 - Automated and Networked Systems
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
559 - Management Information Systems |
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 | 573 - Financial Management for Library and Information Organizations
575 - Management of School Library Media Programs
576 - Supervision in the Media Center
|
Information and Society
| Lead course | 580 - Knowledge Structures and the Information Professions |
| Central courses | 581 - Social Informatics
582 - Information Policy |
| Specialization courses | 591 - Individual Study
592 - Field Experience |
Required Noncredit Classes
501 - Introduction to Library and Information Professions
502 - Colloquium in Library and Information Studies
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.
