Information Programs of Study

The following Programs of Study focus on preparation for careers in Information and are provided as guidelines for students pursuing the Master’s of Information (MSI) or an individualized post-master’s Specialist program.

General Librarianship

The General Librarianship program of study, within the Information master’s degree program (MSI), is designed for those who want general preparation to work in various types of libraries.

Choose at least 4 courses from the following list of courses.

  • LIS 5362 Design and Production of Networked Multimedia
  • LIS 5364 Web Site Development and Administration
  • LIS 5426 Grant Writing, Evaluation and Administration
  • LIS 5511 Collection Development & Management
  • LIS 5564 Information Needs of Children
  • LIS 5565 Information Needs of Young Adults
  • LIS 5576 Information Needs of Adults
  • LIS 5603 Introduction to Information Services
  • LIS 5711 Cataloging and Classification
  • LIS 5736 Indexing and Abstracting

Public, Academic & Special Libraries Programs of Study

Depending on your career goals, you may choose to prepare yourself for a particular library setting.

The following courses are highly recommended for all types of libraries

  • LIS 5511 Collection Development & Management
  • LIS 5442 Information Leadership
  • LIS 5602 Marketing of Library and Information Services
  • LIS 5603 Introduction to Information Services

Strongly recommended for low to mid-levels of technology familiarity

  • LIS 5485 Introduction to Information Technologies

Strongly recommended if you have no working experience in a library

  • LIS 5945 Internship

Public Libraries

  • LIS 5661 Government Information

Suggested: One or more from this group (Services for Specific Populations)

  • LIS 5528 Storytelling for Information Professionals
  • LIS 5564 Information Needs of Children
  • LIS 5565 Information Needs of Young Adults
  • LIS 5566 Diverse Resources for Children and Young Adults
  • LIS 5576 Information Needs of Adults

Suggested: One or more from this group (Specific Reference Areas)

  • LIS 5417 Introduction to Legal Resources
  • LIS 5474 Business Information & Competitive Intelligence
  • LIS 5566 Diverse Resources for Children and Young Adults
  • LIS 5631 Health Information Sources
  • LIS 5661 Government Information

Academic Libraries

Suggested: One or more from this group

  • LIS 5203 Information Behavior
  • LIS 5241 International & Comparative Information Service
  • LIS 5260 Information Science
  • LIS 5263 Theory of Information Retrieval
  • LIS 5270 Evaluating Networked Information Services & Systems
  • LIS 5271 Research in Information Studies
  • LIS 5442 Information Leadership
  • LIS 5417 Introduction to Legal Resources
  • LIS 5474 Business Information & Competitive Intelligence
  • LIS 5590 Museum Informatics
  • LIS 5602 Marketing Library and Information Services
  • LIS 5661 Government Information
  • LIS 5736 Indexing and Abstracting
  • LIS 5787 Fundamentals of Metadata Theory and Practice

Special Libraries

Suggested: One or more from this group

  • LIS 5263 Theory of Information Retrieval
  • LIS 5270 Evaluating Networked Information Services & Systems
  • LIS 5417 Introduction to Legal Resources
  • LIS 5472 Digital Libraries
  • LIS 5474 Business Information & Competitive Intelligence
  • LIS 5513 Preservation of Information Materials
  • LIS 5590 Museum Informatics
  • LIS 5631 Health Information Sources
  • LIS 5661 Government Information
  • LIS 5736 Indexing and Abstracting
  • LIS 5787 Fundamentals of Metadata Theory and Practice
  • COM 5450 Project Management

Health Informatics

The Health Informatics Program of Study, within the Information Master’s degree program (MSI), prepares students for a career as a health information professional.

Strongly recommended:

  • LIS 5418 Introduction to Health Informatics
  • LIS 5419 Consumer Health Informatics
  • LIS 5631 Health Information Sources
  • LIS 5788 Management of Health Information Technology

Information Organization

The Information Organization Program of Study, within the Information Master’s degree program (MSI), prepares students for a career as a metadata or cataloging professional.

Strongly recommended:

  • LIS 5711 Cataloging and Classification
  • LIS 5736 Indexing and Abstracting

Take at least 2 more courses from the following list of courses:

  • LIS 5263 Theory of Information Retrieval
  • LIS 5472 Digital Libraries
  • LIS 5782 Database Management Systems
  • LIS 5786 Introduction to Information Architecture
  • LIS 5787 Fundamentals of Metadata Theory and Practice

Leadership & Management

The Leadership & Management Program of Study, within the Information Master’s degree program (MSI), prepares information professionals to be managers and leaders in their respective fields by enhancing their understanding of the unique challenges facing their profession now and in the future.

Strongly recommended:

  • LIS 5442 Information Leadership

Take at least 3 more courses from the following list of courses:

  • LIS 5403 Human Resource Management for Information Professionals
  • LIS 5426 Grant Writing, Evaluation, and Administration
  • LIS 5487 Information Systems Management
  • LIS 5602 Marketing of Library and Information Services
  • LIS 5788 Management of Health Information Technology
  • COM 5450 Introduction to Project Management

Reference Services

The Reference Services Program of Study, within the Information Master’s degree program (MSI), prepares students for a career as a reference and/or instructional professional working with people and technology to develop, organize, store, retrieve, administer and facilitate the use of recordable information in print and digital formats.

Strongly recommended:

  • LIS 5603 Introduction to Information Services

Take at least 3 more courses from the following list of courses:

  • LIS 5008 Advanced Online Searching
  • LIS 5241 International and Comparative Information Service
  • LIS 5313 Digital Media: Concepts and Production
  • LIS 5417 Introduction to Legal Resources
  • LIS 5474 Business Information & Competitive Intelligence
  • LIS 5524 Instructional Role of the Informational Specialist
  • LIS 5564 Information Needs of Children
  • LIS 5565 Information Needs of Young Adults
  • LIS 5576 Information Needs of Adults
  • LIS 5661 Government Information

Technology & Networking

The Technology & Networking Specialization, within the Information Master’s degree program (MSI), prepares students for a career in the development, management, and maintenance of networks in areas such as building hardware and software systems, maintaining networks for information and communication, and developing databases and applications.

Strongly Recommended:

  • LIS 5786 Introduction to Information Architecture

Take at least 3 courses from the following list of courses:

  • LIS 5263 Theory of Information Retrieval
  • LIS 5364 Web Site Development and Administration
  • LIS 5418 Introduction to Health Informatics
  • LIS 5472 Digital Libraries
  • LIS 5484 Introduction to Data Networks for Information Professionals
  • LIS 5487 Information Systems Management
  • LIS 5489 Network Administration
  • LIS 5775 Information Security
  • LIS 5782 Database Management Systems
  • LIS 5787 Fundamentals of Metadata Theory and Practice
  • COM 5450 Introduction to Project Management

Web Design

The Web Design Program of Study, within the Information Master degree program (MSI), prepares students for a career in web design, including web development and administration, interface design, usability analysis, and information architecture.

Strongly recommended:

  • LIS 5786 Introduction to Information Architecture

Take at least 3 more courses from the following list of courses:

  • LIS 5263 Theory of Information Retrieval
  • LIS 5275 Usability Analysis
  • LIS 5313 Digital Media: Concepts and Production
  • LIS 5362 Design and Production of Networked Multimedia
  • LIS 5364 Web Site Development and Administration
  • LIS 5367 Advanced Web Applications
  • LIS 5472 Digital Libraries
  • LIS 5484 Introduction to Data Networks for Information Professionals
  • LIS 5751 Computers as Persuasive Technology
  • LIS 5782 Database Management Systems
  • LIS 5787 Fundamentals of Metadata Theory and Practice
  • LIS 5916 Mobile Application Development
  • COM 5450 Introduction to Project Management

Youth Services

The Youth Services Program of Study, within the Information Master’s degree program (MSI), prepares students to meet the information needs of children and young adults in various information settings. Trail-blazing youth services professionals foster youth development through creative programs and community partnerships.

Strongly recommended:

  • LIS 5564 Information Needs of Children
  • LIS 5565 Information Needs of Young Adults

Take at least 2 more courses from the following list of courses:

  • LIS 5313 Digital Media: Concepts and Production
  • LIS 5472 Digital Libraries
  • LIS 5524 Instructional Role of the Informational Specialist
  • LIS 5566 Diverse Resources for Children and Young Adults
  • LIS 5577 Graphic Novels In Libraries
  • LIS 5602 Marketing of Library and Information Services
  • LIS 5603 Introduction to Information Services

Cultural Informatics

The Cultural Informatics Program of Study, within the Master of Science in Information degree program (MSI), helps prepare students for careers that transcend the traditional boundaries between libraries, archives, and museums. The courses in this program of study will provide students with the skills they need to meet information needs in cultural institutions of all types.

Strongly recommended:

  • LIS 5590 Museum Informatics
  • LIS 5472 Digital Libraries
  • LIS 5945 Internship

Take at least 2 more courses from the following list of courses:

  • LIS 5787 Fundamentals of Metadata Theory and Practice
  • LIS 5786 Introduction to Information Architecture
  • LIS 5313 Digital Media Concepts and Production

 

School Libraries

The School Libraries Program of Study provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively collaborate with educators to use school library resources tailored to learners’ needs as well as the competencies required to select and integrate various technologies into the school’s instructional program.

Strongly recommended:

  • LIS 5313 Digital Media: Concepts and Production
  • LIS 5511 Collection Development & Management
  • LIS 5524 Instructional Role of the Information Specialist
  • LIS 5564 Information Needs of Children OR LIS 5565 Information Needs of Young Adults
  • LIS 5603 Introduction to Information Services

Take at least 2 more courses from the following list of courses:

  • LIS 5528 Storytelling for Information Professionals
  • LIS 5577 Graphic Novels in Libraries
  • LIS 5566 Diverse Resources for Children and Young Adults
  • LIS 5602 Marketing of Library and Information Services
  • LIS 5711 Cataloging and Classification
  • LIS 5945 Internship

Technology Electives

  • LIS 5362 Design and Production of Networked Multimedia
  • LIS 5364 Website Development and Administration
  • LIS 5385 Social Media Management
  • LIS 5472 Digital Libraries