Master of Library & Information Science

The Master of Library & Information Science (MLISc) program consists of a basic set of required courses, augmented by courses relevant to particular concentrations, and elective courses appropriate for various library or information careers.

The curriculum is subject to continuous review and modification; every effort is made in academic advising to ensure that programs of study suit an individual's goals. Entering students are expected to be computer-literate. Graduate standing is the normal prerequisite for all courses.

Degree Requirements

Students are required to complete 42 credits, including the following:

LIS 601 - Introduction to Reference & Info Services

LIS 605 - Basic Cataloging & Classification

LIS 610 - The Information Environment

LIS 615 - Collection Management

And one of the following:

LIS 650 - Management of Library & Info Centers

LIS 684 - Admn of School Library Media Centers

And at least two of the following:

LIS 647 - Systems Analysis for Information Management

LIS 663 - Basic Database Searching

LIS 670 - Introduction to Information Science & Technology

LIS 671 - Digital Librarianship

LIS 672 - Technology for Libraries & Information Centers

LIS 678 - Personalized Information Delivery: Information Filtering

ICS 624 - Advanced Data Management

ICS 691 - Digital Government

ICS 691 - Information Architecture

ICS 691 - Social Computing

or any 3-credit UH Manoa graduate ICS course (400 level or higher)

Students are strongly encouraged to take LIS 670 - Introduction to Information Science & Technology because it is a prerequisite for many of the LIS technology-related courses.

Oral Comprehensive Examination

The oral comprehensive examination is required in the last semester of study for the MLISc. Students may petition the Program chair to take the examination in writing under very special circumstances.

The one-hour exam consists of a set of general questions on library and information science and a set of questions from an area of the student's choosing. The areas include: Library Automation, Special Librarianship, Public Librarianship, School Librarianship, Academic Librarianship, Hawaiian/Pacific & Asian Librarianship, and Reference Services.

Distance Education Program (HITS)

Plan A (Thesis)

The normal requirement for the MLISc degree under the thesis option is a minimum 42 credit hours of approved graduate study in residence. at least 27 credits must be taken in LIS courses or a combination of LIS and approved ICS courses. In addition, 3 credit hours in LIS 695 Seminar in Research in Librarianship and 6 credit hours in LIS 700 Thesis Research must be taken. No directed reading credits are allowed as part of thesis research.

General examination is not required for admission to candidacy. After completing 15 credits of course work, students are advanced to candidacy upon the recommendation of the program's graduate faculty. The oral examination is not required, but research results will be presented at a student-faculty colloquium.

Students under Plan A are further governed by the standard Graduate Division regulations and procedures with respect to registration, progress reports, number of copies, etc., as outlined in the Graduate and General Catalog.

Plan B (Non-thesis)

The normal requirement for the MLISc degree under the non-thesis option is a minimum of 42 credit hours of approved graduate study in residence. At lease 36 credits must be in regular LIS courses, or a combination of LIS and approved ICS courses. Up to 6 credits may be taken in other schools or colleges when the courses chosen are relevant to the individual student's specialization and approved by the LIS program chair and the Graduate Division.

The maximum course load is 15 credit hours per term. Therefore, 42 credit hours would require at least two terms and a summer. A full load is a minimum of 8 credit hours per term.

Additional Degree Information

It is feasible for a full-time student to plan a program of three regular semesters of 9 credit hours each plus one summer of 9 credit hours and a second summer of 6 credit hours, allowing time for internships and/or volunteer service, which provides valuable library experience in conjunction with an academic program. Some students find that this allows for more thorough academic study and increases the chances of enrolling in specialized courses that are offered less frequently.

The program may be undertaken on a part-time basis but must be completed within 5 years (two-year extensions are allowed by the Graduate Division for a total of seven).

Students who were in MLISc-degree programs from other ALA-accredited library programs may, in special circumstances, transfer up to 21 credit hours toward their MLISc degree, provided the work to be credited has been completed within the time limit previously cited. Such requests must be included in the application.

Correspondence courses are not offered at the University of Hawai'i. All arrangements for advanced standing must be completed prior to admission to the Program, and all credits applicable for the degree, including transfer credits, must be completed within the seven-year limit.