Library and Information Science Program

FAQs

Prospective Students

Request an information packet online.

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www.lisp.wayne.edu/prospective/admissions.php

Admission Requirements
Admission to the LIS Program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School; for requirements, please refer to the
Wayne State University Graduate Bulletin
In addition, Master of Library and Information Science applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

Possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a balance of study consisting of at least forty-five credits of course work in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

Have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or better or possess another degree beyond the bachelor’s degree. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.25 and 2.99 can satisfy this requirement by one of the alternative methods listed below.

Submit evidence of post-baccalaureate graduate course work completed with a grade point average of 3.0 or better in a minimum of 12 graduate credits

or

Submit an official score report for either of the following standardized tests taken within the last five years

Graduate Record Examination (GRE): official score report for the GRE taken within the last five years must indicate a total score of 950 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions. The verbal portion must have a score of at least 500. You may register online at www.ets.org/gre. Wayne State University’s institution code is 1898.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT): official score report for tests taken within the last five years must indicate a score of at least 410. For MAT information and testing center locations go to www.milleranalogies.com.

Submit a goals statement reflecting relevant personal and academic background and experience. Please limit your statement to 250 words.

Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.

Meet the LIS Program Technology Requirements.

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• What are the LISP application requirements?

How to Apply to the WSU Library and Information Science Program:

Complete the Graduate Admission Application form online at http://www.gradadmissions.wayne.edu/apply.php.

Compose a personal statement of 250 words or less and include a current resume or curriculum vitae.
These materials should be uploaded to your online application. Please download the Personal Statement form to access the personal statement guidelines. Student applying to the online program should download the Online MLIS Personal Statement and Applicant Information Sheet.

Request official transcripts from each university you attended and have them sent directly to:

Wayne State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
42 W. Warren
Detroit, MI 48202-0759

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If you GPA is between 2.25 and 2.99, taking the GRE or MAT is required if you do not possess another degree beyond the bachelor's degree or if you have not completed 12 post-baccalauraete credits with a minimum 3.0 GPA. See admission requirements at www.lisp.wayne.edu/prospective/admissions.php.

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3.0 GPA. See Admission Requirements.
http://www.lisp.wayne.edu/prospective/admissions.php

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In the graduate bulletin the following requirement for admission is listed:

Possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a balance of study consisting of at least forty-five credits of course work in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
The forty-five credits of course work in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences is a recommendation. Each admission is evaluated on an individual basis.

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Yes, all applicants are required to submit evidence of proficiency in English to the Office of Graduate Admissions. A minimum score of 550 is required on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a score of 85 is required on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) or a minimum score of 6.5 is required on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). If taking the computer-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 213 is required.

The following applicants are exempt from taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) test, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS):

International students whose native language is English

Applicants who have completed all their secondary or postsecondary
education in the United States, Canada, or other English speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, the West Indies, and other countries specified by the Wayne State University Office of University Admissions
Applicants whose native language is not English, but who have been instructed in the English language, are not exempt from theTOEFL/MELAB/IELTS requirements

Further information for international students can be found on the website for the
Office of International Students
- http://www.oiss.wayne.edu/.

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http://www.lisp.wayne.edu/prospective/admissions.php

Application Dates for Admission*
For Fall classes beginning early September by July 1
For Winter classes beginning early January by November 1
For Spring classes beginning early May by March 15

For international students, the application form and all transcripts and documents must be on file in the Graduate Admissions Office at least four months before the start of the term in which the applicant plans to begin graduate studies.

For additional information on Graduate School Admission, refer to the
Wayne State University Graduate Bulletin
- http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/gbk-output/gbk-index.html.

*These application dates are set by the Graduate School. The LIS Program can only process a finite number of new students per semester. Keep in mind that having your application into the WSU Graduate School by the submission date does not guarantee a spot in the LIS Program for that particular semester. Please plan accordingly.

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4-6 weeks for regular domestic applications
8-12 weeks for international applications

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As confirmation that their application has been received, WSU's division of C&IT will send all applicants a personalized WSU Access ID and password. If you have access to the Internet, you can use this Access ID and password to log into http://pipeline.wayne.edu/ to track the status of your application materials, to see that all transcripts have been received, checks cashed, etc.

If you do not have access to the Internet, you can call Graduate Admissions at 313.577.3577 to check the status of your application. Or, you can call the LIS Program office at 313.577.1825.

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Please visit http://www.lisp.wayne.edu/faculty.php for a listing of faculty and staff. The LISP staff is available to answer any general questions you may have about the Program. Please call the LISP Main Office at (313) 577-1825 or toll-free (877) 263-2665. Prospective students may also contact Megen Rehahn, Academic Services Officer with the LIS Program. She can be reached at ay6086@wayne.edu or 313-577-8543.

Prospective students with questions about the program are advised to attend one of our Prospective Student Information Meetings. For schedules of upcoming information meetings please visit www.lisp.wayne.edu/info-meetings.php.

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Financial Aid, Registration and Student Records

The registration calendar can be found on the website for the Office of Registrar:

http://sdcl.wayne.edu/RegistrarWeb/Calendars/registration

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Tuition due dates can be found in the registration calendar:

http://sdcl.wayne.edu/RegistrarWeb/Calendars/registration

General information about tuition can be found at:

http://sdcl.wayne.edu/RegistrarWeb/Tuition/geninfo

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A current tuition chart can be found at the following website:

http://sdcl.wayne.edu/RegistrarWeb/Tuition/chart

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Ohio/Ontario Good Neighbor Policy
Under the Wayne State University "Good Neighbor" program, residents of Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa, and Williams counties in Ohio or Ontario, Canada, who enroll in WSU academic programs, excluding the MD program, will have the non-resident portion of fees waived. Please direct questions concerning the WSU "Good Neighbor" program to 1-877-WSU-INFO [1-877-978-4636].

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Dates concerning dropping classes can be found on the registration calendar:

http://sdcl.wayne.edu/RegistrarWeb/Calendars/registration

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The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid - http://www.financialaid.wayne.edu/ (OSFA) at Wayne State University annually administers financial aid funds from federal, state, university and private sources. Some financial aid programs are need-based, other programs are non-need based, and awards are given in recognition of special skills, talents, or academic ability. Financial Aid at Wayne State is awarded in the form of a "package" and generally consists of four types of aid: grants, scholarship, loans, and employment. FAQ's about applying for Financial Aid can be found at:

http://www.financialaid.wayne.edu/faq_appl.html

Financial assistance may be available to new and continuing students in the Library and Information Science Program. Scholarships, graduate student assistantships, work-study opportunities, and Wayne State University student loans are available. Please note that international students are not eligible for financial aid but may be eligible for program scholarships or assistantships.

For a list of LISP Scholarships and an application form please visit:

http://www.lisp.wayne.edu/financialaid.php

For information on student employment and graduate student assistantships please visit:

http://www.lisp.wayne.edu/student-services.php

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Each semester the LIS Program compiles a wait list for its full classes. Students will be able to sign-up online when the waitlist is posted to the the LIS Program listserv, LISPINF.

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The University considers a program of eight graduate credits per semester to be full-time study.

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If a student is unable to register for classes during the semester for which he/she applied he/she must fill out a
Graduate Renewal Application at http://www.gradadmissions.wayne.edu/apply.php.

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No. The LIS Program does not approve Permits to Register. You must be fully admitted to the Program in order to register for classes.

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Students can change the number of credits for variable credit hour courses in Pipeline. If you want to increase the number of credits, click on the Cred column link. This will take you to the Change Class Options screen. Enter the number of credits and click on the Submit Changes button. To view the changes on your current schedule, click on the Return to Add/Drop Classes Menu.

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When students’ personal information changes, they should notify the program office as soon as possible. Students should fill out the name/address change form and submit it to the LISP office located in room 314 Kresge Library, email it to asklis@wayne.edu or fax it to 313-577-7563. Address changes can also be completed by logging into Pipeline. Click on the Student Tab and make changes under the View Personal Information link. Students should still notify the LIS office of any changes they make. Name changes will require students to bring their new social security card to the Student Records office at 5057 Woodward Ave.

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LIS Program and Degree Information

http://www.lisp.wayne.edu/degrees/master.php

Master of Library and Information Science

The Master of Library and Information Science degree requires a minimum of thirty-six (36) graduate level credits distributed as follows: eighteen (18) credit hours in the Library and Information Science professional core and a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours in an area of professional concentration. A maximum of six (6) credit hours in courses outside the LIS Program may be accepted as cognates.

Core Classes
LIS 6010    Introduction to the Information Profession
LIS 6080    Information Technology
LIS 6120    Access to Information
LIS 6210    Organization of Knowledge
LIS 7040    Library Administration and Management
OR
LIS 7310    School Library Media Programs
(Students in the School Library Media Specialization are required to complete LIS 7310 instead of LIS 7040.)
LIS 7996    Research in Library and Information Science

All core/required classes are 3 credit hours.

Elective Classes
Students choose elective classes in consultation with their faculty advisor. See also:

Areas of Interest and Suggested Classes
-http://www.lisp.wayne.edu/degrees/master-electives.php

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http://www.lisp.wayne.edu/degrees/archivalcert.php

Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration

The Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration was established both for individuals entering the archival profession and for those with experience in the field. Students working concurrently on the MLIS degree and the Certificate in Archival Administration are required to complete an additional six (6) credits beyond the 36 required for the MLIS degree. For additional information, students are referred to the Degree and Certificate Requirements regulations as stated in the
Wayne State University Graduate Bulletin
- http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/gbk-output/gbk-index.html.

Curriculum
Students must complete fifteen (15) credits selected from the following:

Required:
LIS 7710      Archival Administration
LIS 7685      Practicum in Archives - Prerequisite LIS 7710 plus 9 AAC hours

Electives:
LIS 6780      Records Management
LIS 7730      Administration of Visual Collections
LIS 7740      Archives & Libraries in the Digital World
LIS 7750      Introduction to Archival & Library Conservation
LIS 7770      Oral History
LIS 7780      Electronic Archives
LIS 7885      Administration of Historical Agencies

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Requirements for school library media (SLM) endorsement are set by the State of Michigan. The LIS Program ensures that completed coursework meets state requirements. Please note that the LIS Program does not determine what those requirements are. More information is available at www.lisp.wayne.edu/degrees/school-endorsement.php.

Michigan Teaching Certificate - Students seeking endorsement must have a valid Michigan teaching certificate in order to be endorsed as a school library media specialist in the State of Michigan.

Michigan Test for Teacher Certification - Students must pass the library media subject exam portion of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) before they can become endorsed.

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It is possible to transfer up to a maximum of six credits from another institution, however, the courses must meet certain criteria and must be approved by your faculty advisor (assigned upon admission).

The criteria are:

the credit is certified as graduate-level and is from an accredited graduate institution

the grade is at least a B or higher

the course did not provide credit toward a previous degree

the credit was earned within the six-year time limit of the master's degree

the credit is beyond the 24-credit hours required in residence at WSU

the credit is approved as appropriate to the student's degree program by his/her advisor

a syllabus of the course to be transferred must be submitted to the LIS Program

For more specific information about transfer credits, see the
Wayne State University Graduate Bulletin
- http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/gbk-output/gbk-index.html.

Petition for Transfer of Graduate Credit Form

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No, under no circumstances may undergraduate credits be used toward this graduate degree. Transfer credits must be certified as graduate level on an official transcript from an accredited institution.

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The Plan of Work (POW) serves as a statement of the student's academic objectives and constitutes a contract between the student and the university. Each student must file a POW with the LIS Program upon completion of the first nine (9) hours of course work. The POW should be completed with the guidance and direction of the student's faculty advisor. It is the student's responsibility to draft a POW and to obtain the faculty advisor's approval and signature. Students must file a POW in the required time period or an academic hold will be placed preventing further registration. Following LIS Program approval of the POW, notice of candidacy status is forwarded to WSU Student Records and the completed document is retained in the student's folder in the LIS Program files. This document becomes the official list of courses to be completed satisfactorily by the student for fulfillment of the requirements for the MLIS degree.

Any change in a student's course planning requires that a Change in Plan of Work (CPOW) form be completed in consultation with the faculty advisor prior to registration. Deviation from the POW without notification of change can result in delayed graduation. Plan of Work (POW) and Change in Plan of Work (CPOW) forms can be found at www.lisp.wayne.edu/forms/index.php.

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Engaged in challenging careers, qualified information professionals are working in varied settings all over the globe. "Librarians held about 158,000 jobs in 2006. Most worked in school and academic libraries, but more than one-fourth worked in public libraries. The remainder worked in special libraries or as information professionals for companies and other organizations." (Occupational Outlook Handbook - http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm)

With more than 50 percent of today's gross national product related to the management of information, career opportunities for individuals trained in library and information science are abundant and diverse.

In this new century and beyond, information professionals will have a wider than ever choice of where and how to apply their knowledge and abilities. Exciting career opportunities exist in both the public and private sectors, including business, law, medicine, publishing, government, archives and museums, communications and media, engineering, academic environments, and pre K-12 education. Check the Library Journal October 15 issue of each year to review annual statistics on LIS placements.

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See the faculty directory located at: www.lisp.wayne.edu/faculty.php.

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The Library and Information Science Program main office hours are:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Faculty have varying office hours each semester. To schedule an appointment with a faculty member, please contact the main office at 313-577-1825 or toll-free at 1-877-263-2665. You may also visit the main office at 314.4 Kresge Library.

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Location, Driving Directions and Parking

The Library and Information Science Program main office is located in the Purdy/Kresge Library, Room 314.4 Kresge. Administrative offices are located in 106 Kresge. LIS Program classrooms are also located in Purdy/Kresge Library.

For driving directions to the Purdy/Kresge Library, please visit www.lisp.wayne.edu/visiting.php.

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Online and Distance Classes

Courses are offered in Lansing at the Michigan Library Consortium and at two of the University's five off-campus urban centers (the Oakland Center and Macomb University Center). Street addresses for our off-campus sites are as follows:

Oakland Center
33737 W. 12 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
(248) 553-3545 or (313) 577-3592

Michigan Library Consortium
1407 Rensen Street, Suite 1
Lansing, MI 48910-3657
(517) 394-2420

Macomb University Center Campus
44575 Garfield Road
Clinton Township, MI 48038-1139

For maps to Wayne State University Extension Centers (including Oakland and Macomb County Centers) please visit: http://sdcl.wayne.edu/RegistrarWeb/RegSch/Resources/center_maps.pdf

For directions to the Michigan Library Consortium please visit: http://www.mlcnet.org/cms/sitem.cfm/about/driving_directions/.

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OAK stands for the Oakland Center distance site. MLC stands for Michigan Library Consortium. MUC is the Macomb University Center.

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About 20 percent of the LIS program’s courses are offered online each semester. Nearly 70 percent of the core classes are offered in an online or webcentric format. Currently, none of the Library and Information Science Program’s degrees or certificates can be earned completely online; some physical class time will be necessary. The amount of class time will vary depending on the student's area of concentration and the courses he or she indicates on his or her plan of work.

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Webcentric
Webcentric courses meet only on days specified in the course schedule. Students must attend the onsite sessions to participate in the webcentric courses. Students who miss a class session will be required to withdraw from the course. The majority of the class is conducted online via Blackboard. For more information regarding Blackboard please visit http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard

Online
Online courses are conducted entirely online via Blackboard and or MediaSite with no required class meetings.

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Practicum

• What is entailed in a practicum course?

The 3 credit practicum requires a minimum of 135 hours on-site. In addition, students are also required to attend 3 seminars, maintain a journal, do an analysis of their experience and are responsible to see that the evaluation from the practicum institution is sent to the Practicum Supervisor.

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• When may I apply for a practicum?

Fall Term: Feb. 27- Mar. 12; Winter Term: Oct. 12-31; Spring/Summer: Jan. 15- 31

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• May I take a practicum anytime during my work on my degree?

Students must have completed a minimum of 24 hours, which includes LIS 6010, 6080, 6120, 6210 and 7040. Relevant electives should be selected to prepare you for the type of practicum experience you are seeking.

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• May I complete my practicum where I currently work or have worked?

Students are not placed where they are working or have worked or volunteered. This avoids conflicts of interest.

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• May I get paid for the practicum?

Students may not receive any payment while they are completing coursework for the practicum for credit.

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• Does the practicum site need to have a professional librarian on duty to provide supervision?

The practicum site must provide professional oversight.

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• Since I am currently working, I would like to schedule my practicum hours in the evening and on weekends.

It is best when placements are to be scheduled to provide full exposure to the full working week, days, nights, and weekends.

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• May a practicum be spread over two semesters?

Only in special and unusual circumstances will permission be granted to spread the practicum over two semesters (i.e. such as wanting to start the practicum in November and finishing early February).

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• May two practicums be selected as a part of a students course work?

The answer is “No” except for the following two exceptions:

If a student is enrolled in the Archival Administration Certificate Program, a second non-archival practicum maybe approved.

If a student is taking more than 36 hours for their master’s degree, a second practicum maybe approved.

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• Are there preferred semesters to take a practicum?

Students who want to do reference work in an academic library should be aware that for a quality experience the practicum should be taken in either the fall or winter semesters. The reference desk from late May on sees little reference activity and does not allow for a quality experience.

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• When are the seminars?

Dates for the seminars appear on the Schedule of classes as a footnote Depending on enrollment, two practicum sections may be scheduled. The confirmation email will inform the student as to the dates and times of the seminar. This confirmation of placement site is sent to the student 21-30 days prior to the beginning of the semester they are registered to take a practicum.

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• Where can I get additional information about the practicum?

The practicum guideline/application form is available on the Program’s Website.

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WSU Campus Information

For on-campus and off-campus housing please see the website for the
Office of Housing and Residential Life
- http://www.housing.wayne.edu/.

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See the website for
Parking and Transportation Services
- http://parking.wayne.edu/.

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http://campusmap.wayne.edu/?map=parking

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Technology Information

Students must have basic computing skills to be successful in the LIS Program. Please visit http://lisp.wayne.edu/technology-requirements.php for detailed computer competencies, computer requirements and Internet/email guidelines.

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Office 2007 is available as a free download for LIS students. It is highly recommended that you download this program using a computer with a high-speed Internet connection. To obtain your copy, please visit http://lispstudent.lisp.wayne.edu/office
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Employers

The job posting can be e-mailed to Megen Rehahn at ay6086@wayne.edu, faxed to (313) 577-7563 or mailed to Library and Information Science Program, Wayne State University, 106 Kresge Library, Detroit, MI 48202.

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Wayne State University

AIM HIGHER

Library and Information Science Program

FAQs

Prospective Students

Financial Aid, Registration and Student Records

LIS Program and Degree Information

Online and Distance Classes

Practicum

WSU Campus Information

Technology Information

Employers

Prospective Students

Financial Aid, Registration and Student Records

LIS Program and Degree Information

Online and Distance Classes

Practicum

WSU Campus Information

Technology Information

Employers