Curriculum

The MLIS program consists of 63 quarter credits, consisting of nine core courses (totaling 33 credits) and 30 elective credits. The electives allow opportunities for specialization and emphasis. The degree also has a portfolio or thesis requirement. MLIS requirements are the same for students in the Residential MLIS and Distance dMLIS programs. All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years.

Core Curriculum

The core curriculum required of all MLIS students totals 33 credits, made up of nine courses which are organized around the life cycle of information. This organizing framework examines the life cycle of knowledge, leading from creation and publication of information through evaluation, selection, organization, retrieval, access and use in the creation of new knowledge.

This framework serves two important purposes. It provides an overall conceptual structure which acts as a foundation for later coursework and experiences, and it organizes the core curriculum in terms of order and coherence of courses and topics. Courses in the core cover the following topics:

  • LIS 500 The Life Cycle of Information (2 credits)
  • LIS 510 Information Behavior (4)
  • LIS 520 Information Resources, Services and Collections (4)
  • LIS 530 Organization of Information and Resources (4)
  • LIS 550 Information in Social Context (4)
  • LIS 560 Instructional and Training Strategies for Information Professionals (3)
  • LIS 570 Research Methods (4)
  • LIS 580 Management of Information Organizations (4)
  • One Information Technology Core Course which you can choose from a menu of options such as information retrieval, XML, conceptual database design, and network system administration. (4)  Click here for the PowerPoint outlining the process for fulfilling core information technology courses.

Course descriptions may be found in the UW Course Catalog.

Electives

Beyond the required core courses, students have the option of crafting a program of study, in collaboration with their faculty adviser, specific to their interests and career goals. MLIS course electives include, among others, organization of information; information systems; resources and services; and children, young adult, and school library services and resources. Students complete a minimum of 30 credits of electives, which includes advanced LIS courses, Directed Fieldwork (LIS 590), Independent Study (LIS 600), or relevant upper level coursework in other academic disciplines.

Portfolio or Thesis Option

MLIS students must complete either a portfolio or thesis in order to graduate. Most students choose to complete the portfolio, which is submitted during the last quarter of a student’s program of study. The portfolio demonstrates how the student, during their time in the MLIS program, has developed a number of qualities and skills essential to his or her future success as an information professional. Each portfolio includes a summary and synthesis of all elements together with an explanation of how each experience contributed to the student’s individual intellectual and professional development.

The thesis option involves a highly-structured and well-defined research project that the student pursues under the guidance of his or her faculty advisor and a thesis committee. Students interested in the thesis option should consult with their faculty advisor early in their program.

Directed Fieldwork

Directed Fieldwork (LIS 590) historically has been one of the iSchool’s most popular courses. It is an elective course designed to provide students with an opportunity to work in an information environment under the supervision of an experienced professional mentor. During a fieldwork placement, the student works to meet meaningful learning objectives that have been mutually defined by student and supervisor. The range of settings and opportunities has expanded dramatically in recent years and includes wide-ranging options from archives to corporate libraries, from reference and technical services to database development, and from web design to working with children and youth. For more information, see Directed Fieldwork for MLIS Students.