Specializations
Click on a heading below to view the specialization content.
- Specialization Contact
- Specialization Overview
- Specialization Requirements (Fall 2012 and Prior)
- Specialization Requirements (Beginning Fall 2013)
- Program of Study by Semester
- Student Archivists at Maryland
- Admissions
Dr. Michael J. Kurtz
4117F Hornbake Building, South Wing
College of Information Studies
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Telephone: (301) 405-7907
mkurtz1@umd.edu
The Archives, Records, and Information Management specialization in the College of Information Studies is a leader in its field. The innovative curriculum for this specialty ensures that graduates will be prepared for successful careers in the 21st century. The specialization meets all requirements recommended for archival education by the Society for American Archivists (SAA). The MLS is fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Students must be formally admitted to the Archives, Records, and Information Management specialization.
Students specializing in Archives, Records, and Information Management will complete 36 credit hours of academic coursework. The specialization consists of the following courses. Complete course descriptions are available online.
MLS Core Courses*:
12 Credits
- LBSC 605 Archival Principles, Practices and Programs
- LBSC 650 Information Access
- LBSC 670 Information Structure
- LBSC 690 Information Technology
*As of Fall 2013, the iSchool will be implementing a new core for the MLS program.
MLS Required Courses:
6 credits
- LBSC 635 Management and Administration for the Information Professional
- LBSC 703 Field Study in Archives, Records, and Information Management
Three specialization courses selected from the following:
9 credits
- INST 612 Information Policy
- LBSC 680 Principles of Records and Information Management
- LBSC 682 Management of Electronic Records
- LBSC 684 Archival Arrangement and Description
- LBSC 708B History of the Book
- LBSC 731 Special Collections
- LBSC 735 Legal Issues in Managing Information
- LBSC 781 Access Techniques and Systems for Archives
- LBSC 784 Digital Preservation
- LBSC 785 Documentation, Collection and Appraisal of Records
- LBSC 786 Library and Archives Preservation
- LBSC 788 Seminar in Archives, Records and Information Management
- LBSC 789 Special Topics in Contemporary Archives
Three Additional Electives
9 credits
Three additional courses are selected in consultation with the advisor, choosing from iSchool courses, other graduate courses at Maryland, and graduate courses at other local institutions through the Washington Metropolitan Area University Consortium. These courses may be in another discipline, such as history, American Studies, or a language, as required by the student's interests and goals. To see the steps for transfer of credit and for taking a course in another department, at another USM institution, or at another Washington Metropolitan Area consortium institution, visit the iSchool’s Petitions and Waivers website. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.
A helpful checklist indicating program and specialization requirements can be found here.
Specialization Requirements (Beginning Fall 2013)
Please note that as of Fall 2013, students who choose to pursue a specialization must receive a B or better in each of the required specialization courses. Students who receive a B- or lower will be required to retake the course.
MLS Core Courses
12 Credits
- LBSC 602 Serving Information Needs
- LBSC 631 Achieving Organizational Excellence
- LBSC 671 Creating Information Infrastructures
- LBSC 791 Designing Principled Inquiry
MLS Required Course
3 Credits
- LBSC 703: Field Study in Archives, Records, and Information Management
Archives Specialization Required Courses
12 Credits
- LBSC 605: Archival Principles, Practices, and Programs
- LBSC 684: Archival Arrangement and Description
- LBSC 781: Access Techniques and Systems for Archives
- LBSC 785: Documentation, Collection, and Appraisal
Three Additional Electives
9 credits
Three additional courses are selected in consultation with the advisor, choosing from iSchool courses, other graduate courses at Maryland, and graduate courses at other local institutions through the Washington Metropolitan Area University Consortium. These courses may be in another discipline, such as history, American Studies, or a language, as required by the student's interests and goals. To see the steps for transfer of credit and for taking a course in another department, at another USM institution, or at another Washington Metropolitan Area consortium institution, visit the iSchool’s Petitions and Waivers website. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.
A helpful checklist indicating program and specialization requirements can be found here.
Thesis Option
If a student enrolled in the program wishes to write a thesis, LBSC 799 Masters' Thesis Research (6 hours) will substitute for one course in the specialization and one elective course. With permission of the advisor, LBSC 709 Independent Study may count as a course in the specialization or as an elective.
Field Study
Beginning in academic year 2011-2012, students are required to complete a field study (LBSC 703) as part of their programs. Outstanding opportunities are available for field study and internships in the region, with its varied and accessible array of major archives, library, and museums, most within an hour of campus by public transit. Among the opportunities are the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, National Archives, Maryland State Archives, Archives of American Art, and the Folger Shakespeare Theatre. For more information on the field study requirement, click here.
Program of Study by Semester
Three (3) Courses Per Semester
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For a printable checklist that you can use for registration planning please go here.
Student Archivists at Maryland (SAM), the student chapter of SAA, is a forum for students specializing in or interested in archives. The group plans special events such as tours of repositories and talks by guest speakers. It operates an electronic discussion list to communicate information to members and other interested parties.
See Master’s Admissions.
For admission and registration information:
Student Services Office
College of Information Studies
4110 Hornbake Building, South Wing
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Phone: 301-405-2038
Fax: 301-314-9145
Email: ischooladmission@umd.edu
- Specialization Contact
- Specialization Overview
- Specialization Requirements
- Program of Study by Semester
- Admissions
Specialization Contact
Dr. Michael J. Kurtz
4117J Hornbake Library, South Wing
College of Information Studies
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Telephone: (301) 405-7907
mkurtz1@umd.edu
Dr. Katie Shilton
4121H Hornbake Library, South Wing
College of Information Studies
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Telephone: (301) 405-3777
kshilton@umd.edu
Specialization Overview
Beginning in the fall 2013 semester the iSchool will begin offering the Curation and Management of Digital Assets specialization for both MLS and Masters in Information Management (MIM) students. Courses within this specialization are also open to students enrolled in other programs in the College.
Digital information is at the very heart of a modern society’s ability to learn, conduct business, recreate, and manage complex scientific, technological, industrial, and information infrastructure. It is a societal imperative that there be qualified professionals with the technical, intellectual, and social awareness required to manage complex collections of born-digital or digitized materials in a variety of organizational settings. In the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore metropolitan region, as well as across the nation and around the world, the need for professionals to curate and manage digital assets is acute. Major corporations, Federal agencies, international organizations, universities, cultural heritage institutions, and scientific organizations among many others, need professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities in managing, preserving, curating, and cataloging digital resources.
The Curation and Management of Digital Assets specialization focuses on instruction about and research into the creation, management and use, long-term preservation, and current and future access to digital assets in a variety of disciplines and sectors of the economy. Students graduating from this specialization will have the academic, technical, and practical/experiential skills to work in diverse organizational settings such as the business/commercial sector, cultural heritage organizations, the digital arts and humanities, and scientific research and development. Students will master the core competencies in managing the digital assets life cycle and will demonstrate this mastery in hands-on “real world” field study opportunities.
Specialization Requirements
Students specializing in Curation and Management of Digital Assets will complete 36 credit hours of academic coursework.
Please note that as of Fall 2013, students who choose to pursue a specialization must receive a B or better in each of the required specialization courses. Students who receive a B- or lower will be required to retake the course.
Core Courses
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MLS - 12 Credits
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MIM - 12 Credits
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Required Course
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MLS - 3 Credits
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MIM - 6 Credits
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Digital Curation Specialization Required Courses
9 Credits
- INST 640: Principles of Digital Curation
- INST 641: Policy Issues in Digital Curation
- INST 742: Implementing Digital Curation
Two specialization courses selected from the following:
6 Credits
- INFM 700: Information Architecture
- INFM 718G: Web-Scale Information Processing Application
- INFM 787: Web-Enabled Databases
- INST 733: Database Design
- INST 734: Information Retrieval Systems
- INST 715: Knowledge Management
- LBSC 680: Principles of Records and Information Management
- LBSC 682: Electronic Records Management
Program of Study by Semester
Three (3) Courses Per Semester
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For a printable checklist that you can use for registration planning please go here.
Admissions
See Master’s Admissions.
For admission and registration information:
Student Services Office
College of Information Studies
4110 Hornbake Building, South Wing
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Phone: 301-405-2038
Fax: 301-314-9145
Email: ischooladmission@umd.edu
- Specialization Contact
- Specialization Overview
- Specialization Goals
- E-government Scholarship Program
- Specialization Requirements (Fall 2012 and Prior)
- Specialization Requirements (Beginning Fall 2013)
- Program of Study by Semester
- Admissions
Specialization Contact
Dr. Paul T. Jaeger
4121D Hornbake Building, South Wing
College of Information Studies
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Telephone: (301) 405-1741
pjaeger@umd.edu
Specialization Overview
The E-government specialization focuses on the nature, current impacts, and potential future impacts of e-government, also known as digital government or electronic government. E-government is the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies by governments to provide information and services, as well as to use as channels of communication to citizens, businesses, and other governments. The United States and many other governments around the world at local, state, federal, and supra-national levels have developed an online presence, ranging from simple information provision to complex, interactive services.
E-government is an evolving phenomenon, with implications for government efficiency, transparency, communication, service delivery, engagement with citizens, and information provision, collection, and preservation. This specialization will include study of the nature of government information, the role of the political process and information policy in shaping e-government, the reasons that cause populations to use or not use e-government, challenges to accessing e-government, and the means of evaluating the impacts and successes of e-government. It will also address critical foundational content areas that information professionals will require in designing, delivering, evaluating, and managing e-government.
Enrollment in this specialization is open to students in the MLS program at the College of Information Studies. Courses within this specialization are open to both MLS and MIM students, though MIM students may take the courses only as electives. MLS students interested in enrolling in the E-government specialization should contact Dr. Paul T. Jaeger at pjaeger@umd.edu or (301) 645-1741.
Interested MLS students may enroll concurrently in the E-government specialization and the Archives, Records, and Information Management specialization. Such a combination will be valuable to students wishing to work in electronic archives or electronic records management for the government.
The primary goals of the E-government specialization are to prepare students to understand:
- The range of information, services, and activities that comprise e-government;
- The policy and legal issues framing e-government initiatives;
- The relationship of e-government to other government activities;
- The social, political, and technological factors driving the development and current state of e-government;
- The identification of best practices and lessons learned from the national and international community;
- The methods of ensuring the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation of information systems;
- The issues and challenges in providing universal access to e-government;
- The ethical responsibilities and challenges of providing government services via the Internet;
- The technical implementation, management, and security of e-government;
- The future social and political implications of e-government;
- The techniques for analyzing e-government within the larger policy environment and political context; and
- The process of evaluating e-government websites
The Information Policy & Access Center in the iSchool at the University of Maryland College Park, in partnership with the American Library Association, received a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for 15 Masters of Library Science (MLS) e-government librarian degree scholarships. This unique program is for students interested in careers in librarianship and other information sciences as specialists in digital government information and e-government services. The program will prepare graduates to take advantage of the evolving range of e-government and digital government information services. The program is online, and will begin in Fall 2013. Applications are currently being accepted for up to 25 students. Tuition scholarships (10 at the in-state tuition rate and 5 at the out-of-state tuition rate) are available to 15 highly qualified applicants to the program. Applications are due by February 1, 2013. For more information please visit the scholarship program website: http://egov.umd.edu.
An MLS student enrolling in this specialization will complete 36 hours of coursework; 15 credits will focus on this specialization. Such a Master's program will consist of the following:
MLS Core Courses*:
12 Credits
- LBSC 601 Users and Information Context OR LBSC 605 Archival Principles, Practices and Programs
- LBSC 650 Information Access
- LBSC 670 Information Structure
- LBSC 690 Information Technology
*As of Fall 2013 the iSchool will be implementing a new core.
MLS Required Courses:
6 credits
- LBSC 635 Management and Administration for the Information Professional
- LBSC 703 Field Study in Archives, Records, and Information Management
Four Specialization Required Courses:
12 credits
- INST 607 E-government: Information, Communication, and Policy (Formerly LBSC 708E/INFM 718E)
- INST 612 Information Policy (Formerly LBSC 625/INFM 718P)
- LBSC 735 Legal Issues in Managing Information
- LBSC 767 Access to Federal Government Information
One additional specialization course selected from the following:
3 credits
- INFM 702 User Interaction with Information Systems
- LBSC 790/INFM 718B Building the Human-Computer Interaction
- LBSC 682 Management of Electronic Records and Information
- LBSC 784 Digital Preservation (formerly LBSC 708Q)
- INST 610 Information Ethics (formerly LBSC 708I / INFM 718Q)
- INFM 722 Copyright, Privacy, and Security Issues in Digital Information
- LBSC 708X Seminar on E-Discovery
- LBSC 724 Public Library Seminar
One Additional Elective
3 credits
Three additional courses are selected in consultation with the advisor, choosing from iSchool courses, other graduate courses at Maryland, and graduate courses at other local institutions through the Washington Metropolitan Area University Consortium. These courses may be in another discipline, such as history, American Studies, or a language, as required by the student's interests and goals. To see the steps for transfer of credit and for taking a course in another department, at another USM institution, or at another Washington Metropolitan Area consortium institution, visit the iSchool’s Petitions and Waivers website. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.
A helpful checklist indicating program and specialization requirements can be found here.
The requirements and mode of instruction for the E-government specialization will change for students starting the E-government specialization in Fall 2013. The name of the specialization and the course requirements will be changing to reflect the continuing evolution of the delivery of government information and services. In addition, the program will move to a fully online instructional format. Also, Dr. John Carlo Bertot (jbertot@umd.edu) will assume directorship of the specialization beginning in Fall 2013.
Beginning in Fall 2013, the program will be known as the Government Information Management and Services specialization (GIMS). Additionally, this specialization will ONLY be offered as an online-cohort based specialization. In-person students will no longer have these classes available to take.
Please note that as of Fall 2013, students who choose to pursue a specialization must receive a B or better in each of the required specialization courses. Students who receive a B- or lower will be required to retake the course.
MLS Core Courses
12 Credits
- LBSC 602 Serving Information Needs
- LBSC 631 Achieving Organizational Excellence
- LBSC 671 Creating Information Infrastructures
- LBSC 791 Designing Principled Inquiry
MLS Required Course
3 Credits
- LBSC 703: Field Study in Library Science
Seven Government Information Management Specialization Required Courses
21 Credits
- INST 607 E-government: Information, Communication, and Policy
- INST 612 Information Policy
- LBSC 620 Diverse Populations, Inclusion, and Information
- LBSC 708J Planning and Evaluation for Government Information Services
- LBSC 708K E-Librarianship
- LBSC 735 Legal Issues in Managing Information
- LBSC 767 Access to Federal Government Information
Thesis Option
If a student enrolled in the program wishes to write a thesis on e-government, LBSC 799 Masters' Thesis Research (6 hours) will substitute for one course in the specialization (except E-government INST 607) and one elective course. With permission of the specialization advisor, LBSC 709 Independent Study may count as a course in the specialization (except E-government INST 607) or as an elective. The electives listed represent key examples of courses that can serve as electives in the specialization; other courses may be considered to fill the electives requirement with permission of the specialization advisor.
Field Study
Beginning in academic year 2011-2012, students are required to complete a field study (LBSC 703 OR LBSC 707) as part of their programs. Outstanding opportunities are available for field study and internships in the region, with its varied and accessible array of libraries, museums, archives, and government agencies. For more information on the field study requirement click here.
Program of Study by Semester
As of Fall 2013 the Government Information Management and Services specialization will only be offered online and in a cohort-based format. That means that students move through the program as a group, taking two (2) classes in Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students complete the program in two (2) calendar years. The program of study by semester is as follows:
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See Master’s Admissions.
For admission and registration information:
Student Services Office
College of Information Studies
4110 Hornbake Building, South Wing
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Phone: 301-405-2038
Fax: 301-314-9145
Email: ischooladmission@umd.edu
Program Contacts
iSchool Contact:
Dr. Michael Kurtz
4117F Hornbake Bldg., South Wing
(301) 405-7907
mkurtz1@umd.edu
Department of History Contact:
Dr. Marsha L. Rosenblit
Professor & Director of Graduate Studies Department of History
Room 2115 Francis Scott Key Hall
(301) 405-4289
mrozenbl@umd.edu
Program Overview
The History and Library Science (HiLS) dual-degree program is jointly run between the Department of History and the iSchool. Students in the HiLS program gain skills in both historical methodology and library science, preparing them for careers in libraries, museums, and archives in the public sector and the private industry. Students must be formally admitted to both the iSchool and the History graduate programs in order to be admitted to the HiLS program
Program Requirements
HiLS students earn both the Master of Library Science and the Master of Arts in History. The program requires 54 credit hours (a minimum of 24 hours from each department). The course of study must meet the requirements for the Master of Library Science degree as well as the requirements for the Master of Arts degree in History. This information can be found on both the iSchool and the Department of History websites. Helpful checklists indicating program and specialization requirements can be found here.
Both the iSchool and the Department of History offer a thesis option. For additional information on the iSchool’s thesis option, please see the relevant section of the Master's Student handbook.
For additional information on the MA thesis option in History, see: http://www.history.umd.edu/graduate/programs/hils/guidelines.html
Although it is common for HiLS students to pursue the Archives, Records, and Information Management specialization within the MLS program, it is not mandatory.
Admissions
HiLS applicants need to submit only one graduate school application online and should send all transcripts and hard copy materials to:
University of Maryland, College Park
Enrollment Services Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
Rm 0130 Mitchell Building
College Park, MD 20742
HiLS applicants must meet the application requirements of both the iSchool and the Department of History. To confirm what materials are needed for the application, applicants should consult the graduate admission pages of both the iSchool and the History Department. Please note that only one set of recommendation letters needs to be submitted. Also, the GRE waiver option for MLS applicants is not available to HiLS applicants, as the Department of History requires the GRE for all of its graduate applicants.
HiLS applications are reviewed for admission separately by the iSchool and the History department. To be admitted to the HiLS program, the applicant must receive an admit decision to both graduate programs. These admissions decisions are made independently of each other, so it is possible to be admitted to one program, but not the other. For example, if an applicant is admitted to the MLS program but not to the MA in History, that applicant is then welcome to attend the University of Maryland as an MLS student.
Further information about the History Department is available at: http://www.history.umd.edu/graduate.html
- Specialization Contact
- Specialization Overview
- Specialization Goals
- Specialization Requirements (Fall 2012 and Prior)
- Specialization Requirements (Beginning Fall 2013)
- Program of Study by Semester
- Research Opportunities
- Internship Opportunities
- Mentoring Opportunities
- Admissions
Dr. Paul T. Jaeger
4121D Hornbake Building, South Wing
College of Information Studies
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Telephone: (301) 405-1741
pjaeger@umd.edu
Information underlies virtually every interaction; it is a vital social and political equalizer, and is a unifying thread throughout all human actions. Given the importance of equal access to information by all members of society, the study of information must be framed in the most inclusive terms possible. The Information and Diverse Populations (IDP) specialization of the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland focuses on instruction about and research into the design, development, provision and integration of information services, resources, technologies, and outreach that serve diverse populations.
While all information professionals need to be prepared to work with diverse populations, students who enroll in the specialization should be interested in diversity and inclusion as a core focus of their professional path. These paths can range from working in a highly diverse library setting to conducting research about diversity in information settings.
Students enrolled in the specialization will be uniquely prepared to provide inclusive information services in their professional careers, regardless of their career goals. The specialization will enable students to develop a range of practical and analytical skills to provide information and technology services to diverse populations in libraries, archives, school media centers, government agencies, and numerous other information settings.
Enrollment in this specialization is open to students in the MLS program at the College of Information Studies. Courses within this specialization are open to both MLS and MIM students, but MIM students may take the courses only as electives. MLS students interested in enrolling in the Information and Diverse Populations specialization should contact the specialization coordinator, Dr. Paul T. Jaeger (pjaeger@umd.edu).
Interested MLS students may enroll concurrently in this specialization and other programs, including the Archives, Records, and Information Management specialization; the E-government specialization, and the School Library specialization. Such combinations of programs can provide unique areas of academic focus to meet individual career or research interests.
The primary goals and objectives of the Information and Diverse Populations specialization are to prepare students to:
- Be culturally aware information professionals who are prepared to work with populations that are diverse in terms of gender, ability, language, literacy, socio-economic background, age, and other factors;
- Understand the issues related to providing inclusive information services to different populations in a range of settings;
- Anticipate the challenges in providing inclusive information services;
- Identify best practices and lessons in inclusive information services from different institutions;
- Analyze how best to design, develop and provide information services, resources, and technologies that serve diverse populations;
- Integrate inclusive information practices with other practices of an information organization;
- Conduct research about information and diverse populations; and
- Understand the ethical responsibilities of information professionals in terms of service to diverse populations.
An MLS student enrolling in this specialization will complete 36 hours of coursework. MLS students enrolled in the Information and Diverse Populations specialization will complete a program consisting of the following:
Please note that as of Fall 2013, students who choose to pursue a specialization must receive a B or better in each of the required specialization courses. Students who receive a B- or lower will be required to retake the course.
MLS Core Courses*:
12 Credits
- LBSC 601 Users and Information Context OR LBSC 605 Archival Principles, Practices and Programs OR LBSC 640 School Librarians as Information Professionals
- LBSC 650 Information Access
- LBSC 670 Information Structure
- LBSC 690 Information Technology
*As of Fall 2013 the iSchool will be implementing a new core for the MLS program.
MLS Required Courses:
6 credits
- LBSC 635 Management and Administration for the Information Professional
- LBSC 707 Field Study in Library Science OR LBSC 703 Field Study in Archives, Records and Information Management OR LBSC 744 Internship in School Library
Five additional courses selected from the following:
15 credits
Two Required Foundational Courses
- LBSC 620 Diverse Populations, Inclusion, and Information
- LBSC 622 Information and Universal Usability
One of the following elective courses on assessment of services and resources:
- LBSC 641 Selecting and Evaluating of Resources for Learning
- LBSC 645 Literature and Materials for Children
- LBSC 646 Literature and Materials for Young Adults
- LBSC 680 Principles of Records and Information Management
- LBSC 701 Research Methods in Library and Information Studies
- INST 610 Information Ethics
- LBSC 713 Planning and Evaluating Information Services
- LBSC 723 Advocacy and Support for Information Services
- INST 613 Information and Human Rights
One of the following elective courses on an information environment:
- INST 612 Information Policy (Formerly LBSC 625)
- LBSC 706 Seminar in International and Comparative Librarianship and Information Science
- LBSC 724 Public Library Seminar
- LBSC 732 Advanced Archival Administration
- LBSC 734 Seminar in the Academic Library
- LBSC 737 Seminar in the Special Library and Information Center
- LBSC 741 Seminar in School Library Administration
- LBSC 647 Children's Services in the Public Library
- LBSC708T Transformational Information Technologies
- INST 613 Information and Human Rights
And one of the following electives with diversity as a core component of the course:
- LBSC 642 Integrating Technology into Learning and Teaching
- LBSC 708C Older Adults Information Needs Behaviors, and Use
- LBSC 708J Consumer Health Informatics
- LBSC 735 Legal Issues in Managing Information
- LBSC 745 Storytelling Materials and Techniques
- LBSC 748 Advanced Seminar in Children's Literature
- LBSC 788 Seminar in Archives, Records, and Information Management
- LBSC 790 Building the Human-Computer Interface
- LBSC 795 Principles of Human-Computer Communication
- INST 613 Information and Human Rights
Beyond the required foundational courses, selection of courses will be shaped by the areas of interest and professional goals of each student. The electives listed represent key examples of courses that can serve as electives in the specialization; other courses may be considered to fill the electives requirement with permission of the specialization coordinator. In addition, LBSC 709 Independent Study may count as a course in the specialization (except for the required foundational courses) with permission of the specialization coordinator.
A helpful checklist indicating program and specialization requirements can be found here.
One Additional Elective
3 credits
One additional course is selected in consultation with the advisor, choosing from iSchool courses, other graduate courses at Maryland, and graduate courses at other local institutions through the Washington Metropolitan Area University Consortium. These courses may be in another discipline, such as history, American Studies, or a language, as required by the student's interests and goals. To see the steps for transfer of credit and for taking a course in another department, at another USM institution, or at another Washington Metropolitan Area consortium institution, visit the iSchool’s Petitions and Waivers website. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.
A helpful checklist indicating program and specialization requirements can be found here.
The requirements of the Information & Diverse Populations specialization will change for students starting the specialization in Fall 2013.
These changes reflect the growing number of courses offered by the College that are designed for the students interested in diversity and inclusion issues. Students entering the specialization in Fall 2013 and after will have the following course requirements to complete the specialization:
MLS Core Courses
- LBSC 602 Serving Information Needs
- LBSC 631 Achieving Organizational Excellence
- LBSC 671 Creating Information Infrastructures
- LBSC 791 Designing Principled Inquiry
MLS Required Course
3 Credits
- LBSC 707 Field Study in Library and Information Science
IDP Specialization Required Courses
15 Credits
- LBSC 620 Diverse Populations, Inclusion, and Information
- LBSC 622 Universal Usability
- INST 612 Information Policy
- INST 613 Information and Human Rights
- INST 614 Inclusion, Literacy, and the Public Good*
Two Additional Electives
6 credits
Two additional courses are selected in consultation with the advisor, choosing from iSchool courses, other graduate courses at Maryland, and graduate courses at other local institutions through the Washington Metropolitan Area University Consortium. To see the steps for transfer of credit and for taking a course in another department, at another USM institution, or at another Washington Metropolitan Area consortium institution, visit the iSchool’s Petitions and Waivers website. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.
In addition, students entering in Fall 2013 who choose to pursue a specialization must receive a B or better in each of the required specialization courses. Students who receive a B- or lower will be required to retake the course.
A helpful checklist indicating program and specialization requirements can be found here.
Thesis Option
If a student enrolled in the program wishes to write a thesis on issues of inclusion and diversity related to information, LBSC 799 Masters' Thesis Research (6 hours) will substitute for the two electives in the specialization. Prior to beginning the thesis hours, students pursuing the thesis option must take Research Methods in Library and Information Studies (LBSC 701) as the elective course on assessment of services and resources.
Field Study
Beginning in academic year 2011-2012, students are required to complete a field study course (LBSC 703 OR LBSC 707) as part of their program. Outstanding opportunities are available for field study and internships in the region, with its varied and accessible array of libraries, museums, archives, and government agencies. For more information on the field study requirement, click here.
Program of Study by Semester
Three (3) Courses Per Semester
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Fall 2 |
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Spring 2 |
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Two (2) Courses Per Semester
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Research related to inclusion and diversity is central to the missions of two research centers within the College. The Information Policy and Access Center and the Human-Computer Interaction Lab have ongoing projects related to diversity, providing students in the Information and Diverse Populations specialization the opportunity to become engaged in research related to the specialization. These opportunities are of particular importance to students considering careers in research or in pursuing higher degrees, such as a Ph.D. in Information Studies.
In addition to the opportunities provided by the field study courses, interested students also will have opportunities for internships – such as in public libraries, academic libraries, special libraries, museums, and archives – located in diverse service and learning environments to apply what they have learned in the specialization. Such internships can be arranged for credit in the Master’s program.
For interested students, opportunities will be available to work with a mentor currently working as an information professional. Such opportunities may be of most interest to students from populations underrepresented within the information professions.
See Master’s Admissions.
For admission and registration information:
Student Services Office
College of Information Studies
4110 Hornbake Building, South Wing
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Phone: 301-405-2038
Fax: 301-314-9145
Email: ischooladmission@umd.edu
- Specialization Contact
- Specialization Mission
- Specialization Goals
- Specialization Requirements (Fall 2012 and Prior)
- Specialization Requirements (Beginning Fall 2013)
- Delivery Format
- Program of Study by Semester
- Graduation and Gaining Certification
- Admissions
Dr. Sheri Massey
4117L Hornbake Building, South Wing
College of Information Studies
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Telephone: (301) 405-4580
smassey@umd.edu
In keeping with the iSchool’s vision of preparing leaders for a variety of information professions, the School Library specialization gives candidates a firm educational foundation in information studies while pursuing requirements for School Library (SL) certification in the state of Maryland.
The mission of the SL specialization is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. The specialization accomplishes this mission by:
- Providing intellectual and physical access to materials in all formats.
- Providing instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing and using information and ideas.
- Working with other educators to design learning strategies to meet the needs of individual students.
The SL specialization’s mission and curriculum are aligned with the latest national guidelines and standards for school library programs published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). By adopting the mission endorsed by AASL, which represents the school library field nationally, the SL specialization ensures that its theoretical framework and philosophy are consistent with the latest and most advanced national statements regarding the profession. Additionally, the SL program is also nationally recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Designed to provide a solid grounding in theory and extensive practical experience, the specialization endeavors to:
- Provides candidates with a theoretical and research-based foundation in the historical and contemporary issues influencing the development of the field of information studies and SL.
- Helps candidates develop the understanding and skills necessary to fulfill the five roles of the contemporary school librarian — leader, teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator.
- Prepares candidates to be (1) effective team members and advocates to integrate information literacy throughout the curriculum and (2) leaders in using technology to enhance learning.
- Helps candidates master the most advanced thinking about learning theory, pedagogy, information access and delivery, educational and information studies research, and concepts and techniques of program management.
- Provides rich field-based experiences that will enable candidates to apply theoretical understandings to practical settings.
- Fosters among candidates professional attitudes, a commitment to the ethics of the SL profession, and a dedication to becoming engaged and active leaders in creating and sustaining the learning community of the school.
To graduate with a MLS degree with a specialization in SL, a candidate must successfully complete 36 credit hours of academic work with a minimum of 3.0 within five calendar years from the first registration.
Please note that as of Fall 2013, students who choose to pursue a specialization must receive a B or better in each of the required specialization courses. Students who receive a B- or lower will be required to retake the course.
- Four core courses for the MLS degree program (including one core course specific to SL specialization);
- Seven courses stipulated in the SL specialization; and
- One elective that is related to the SL field.
Courses Include:
In addition, SL specialization candidates who do not have teaching backgrounds must take additional education coursework outside the MLS degree program — 3 credits in learning theory and 3 credits in classroom techniques. These courses may be at the graduate or undergraduate level (online courses are acceptable), but they do NOT count toward the basic 36 credits required by the MLS degree program itself. Please note that the College of Information Studies will not recommend candidates for certification without a teaching background or this additional coursework in education.
A directory of institutions and their education course offerings in learning theory and classroom methods can be found here .
The following course numbers and titles outline the requirements of the SL specialization. Course descriptions are available. Each course is worth three credit hours.
A helpful program requirements checklist for the SL specialization can be found here.
MLS Core Courses
12 Credits
- LBSC 640 School Librarians as Information Professionals
- LBSC 650 Information Access Services
- LBSC 670 Organization of Information
- LBSC 690 Information Technology
*As of Fall 2013 the iSchool will be implementing a new core.
MLS Required Courses:
3 credits
- LBSC 744 Internship in School Library (description of internship is below)
Courses Stipulated in the SL Specialization
18 credits
- LBSC 641 Selecting and Evaluating Resources for Learning
- LBSC 642 Integrating Technology into Learning and Teaching
- LBSC 645 Literature and Materials for Children
- LBSC 646 Literature and Materials for Young Adults
- LBSC 741 Seminar in School Library Administration
- LBSC 742 Collaborative Instructional Design and Evaluation
One Additional Elective
3 credits
There are many electives to tailor and enrich SL candidates' academic experience. For all course descriptions, click here.
The following changes to the SL specialization requirements will begin in Fall 2013.
MLS Core Courses
12 Credits
- LBSC 602 Serving Information Needs
- LBSC 631 Achieving Organizational Excellence
- LBSC 671 Creating Information Infrastructures
- LBSC 791 Designing Principled Inquiry
- MLS Required Course
3 Credits
- LBSC 744 Internship in School Library
School Library Specialization Required Courses
18 Credits
- LBSC 640 School Librarians as Information Professionals
- LBSC 641 Selecting and Evaluating Resources for Learning
- LBSC 642 Integrating Technology into Learning and Teaching
- LBSC 645 Literature and Materials for Children
- LBSC 646 Literature and Materials for Young Adults
- LBSC 741 Seminar in School Library Administration
- LBSC 742 Collaborative Instructional Design and Evaluation
Electives
SL Candidates will no longer be required to complete an elective course to satisfy the requirements for the MLS degree.
Field Study
LBSC 744, Internship in School Library, provides candidates with an extended clinical internship. In LBSC 744, each candidate is expected to demonstrate the ability to function effectively in the five roles of the school librarian: teacher, leader, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator under the supervision of a certified school librarian.
For LBSC 744, each candidate is expected to participate in the operation of a school library program in an elementary school and a secondary school for a total of 30 full school days. Each candidate must complete two placements and each placement must be in a different district. One placement must be in an elementary school (a minimum of 15 days). For the second placement, candidates must choose between a middle OR a high school (a minimum of 15 days). Candidates enroll in the internship for one semester near the end of their studies, but may extend the placements over two semesters, with the instructor's approval. Candidates who are currently working in a school are not allowed to complete their internship in the school in which they are employed, but may complete a placement in another school within the district.
Candidates identify the school districts in which they wish to complete their placements the semester prior to their field study. However, identification and assignment to specific schools is handled by personnel within the school systems. Some school systems limit significantly the number of candidates they will accept for placements; therefore, requests for placements in specific districts cannot be guaranteed. Candidates will need to submit the Internship Application Form to their instructor and relevant documents as indicated by school districts the semester prior to field study. The LBSC 744 instructor will announce specific deadlines for submission of this form in the Fall and Spring semester. A copy of the Internship Application Form can be found here. Candidates may complete one placement in an independent or non-public school. However, the candidate must identify the school and make the initial contact. The supervising school librarian in any non-public school must be state-certified or eligible for PK-12 Certification in the state in which the school is located.
In LBSC744, specific expectations and responsibilities for each candidate, which reflect the five roles of the school librarian, are outlined in an Evaluation Rubric that is submitted to the instructor by the cooperating school librarian in each placement. A copy of the Evaluation Rubric can be found here.
Candidates may not seek a waiver of the LBSC 744 requirement, as it is a requirement for Certification.
The SL specialization is available in-person at the Universities at Shady Grove, and will be available fully online in the fall of 2013. The courses are the same online and on-campus, so students may choose the format that is most convenient for them. Students may also complete their degree as either a full- or part-time student, as their circumstances permit.
In-Person: Three (3) Courses Per Semester
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During the final semester in the MLS program, each candidate is required to complete two forms:
- A School Library Certification Checklist, which initiates the process for applying for certification in the state of Maryland.
- A diploma application.
The university requires that a candidate be registered during the semester (s)he plans to graduate. If not taking classes on campus, the candidate must register for one hour of audit credit.
For the most up-to-date information on graduation and commencement, please visit the Graduation and Commencement page.
The state of Maryland — not the College of Information Studies or the University of Maryland — certifies individuals as School Librarians for the state; however, because the SL specialization has been approved by the state, graduates are automatically eligible for State certification by virtue of completing specialization requirements. The Student Services Office facilitates the process by which candidates gain certification through several steps:
- During the last semester that a candidate is enrolled, he or she applies for certification by completing the School Library Certification Checklist;
- The Student Services Office analyzes the candidate's program to be sure that all requirements have been met, and the SL Director signs the Certification Checklist, approving that the candidate has met all academic requirements for certification;
- The Student Services Office submits a formal recommendation for certification to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), listing all candidates being recommended for certification. Each recommended candidate will receive a copy. This letter serves as the College's endorsement of candidates for certification and for the MLS with a School Library specialization.
In Maryland, certification is normally processed upon hire by a school district. The letter from the College is a necessary prerequisite, but the actual application for certification is handled through the local school districts. Although the specialization meets all the requirements of the state of Maryland for certification, candidates should be aware that local school districts may add their own requirements to those stipulated by the state. Graduates who have questions about this process or the requirements of individual districts should consult the SL Director.
Candidates who plan to work in Maryland, but do not plan to seek employment immediately upon graduation, should begin the certification process during their last semester; however, they should consult the SL Director for further information about the appropriate procedures. Candidates seeking certification in other states should also consult the SL Director for assistance.
- See Applying to the MLS Program.
- School Library (SL) Certification for MLS Holders-
For MLS Holders who seek SL certification only, please see Non-degree Study.
For admission and registration information:
Student Services Office
College of Information Studies
4110 Hornbake Building, South Wing
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Phone: 301-405-2038
Fax: 301-314-9145
Email: ischooladmission@umd.edu