General Degree Requirements

Computer-Based Information Skills
Time Requirements
Foreign Language
Approval of Exceptions

Computer-Based Information Skills

The School of Library and Information Science requires that students be computer, network, and information literate and be familiar with basic operations that will be used throughout the students' course work. This knowledge is prerequisite to many courses in the SLIS curriculum and will form the basis for further learning and skill development throughout the students' academic and professional careers. To acquire this base, each student must complete, or apply and receive a waiver for, the SLIS course L401 Computer-Based Information Tools. Normally, the course should be completed during the first semester of enrollment. This 3 credit undergraduate level course is a prerequisite for many courses in the SLIS curriculum, although it does not count toward the credit hours required for a SLIS graduate degree.

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Time Requirements

All requirements for the M.L.S. and M.I.S. degrees must be met within five consecutive calendar years from the date of completion of the first credited course. In some circumstances a one-year extension of the five-year time frame may be given, but in no case will a longer extension be granted. Application for the SLIS master's degree must be submitted early in the fall semester for candidates planning to graduate in December, and early in the spring semester for candidates planning to graduate in May, June, or August.

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Foreign Language

Although language skills are recognized as significant and in some cases essential in the information professions, and although such courses may be taken through the university, credit earned for such courses may not be applied toward the M.L.S. or M.I.S. degree.

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Approval of Exceptions

Exceptions to degree requirements must be approved in writing by the student's faculty advisor and by the SLIS Administrative Office. Approval forms for course waivers, transfer credit, etc. are available in the SLIS office. Most forms are also available on our Web site. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that written approval for any program exception is submitted to the SLIS Administrative Office for placement in the student's academic file.

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