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Master of Science (Library and Information Science)


Curriculum
The library and information science program assures students of a solid introduction to the field, a logical progression of coursework, and a wide variety of electives. All students are required to complete the six core courses, totaling 18 credits. Completion of the The M.S.(L.I.S) program requires a total of 45 credits.
Students may take any available electives to complete their required number of credits in the program.

Students may declare a concentration consisting of 15 credits (five INFO courses) in a particular area. Typically, three courses are required and two are chosen from a limited list of courses relevant to the topic area.

In exceptional cases a student with broad professional experience in library and information science, or previous coursework in library or information science, and well-defined educational goals may petition for exemption from one to three required courses. This petition should be made at the time of application to the College and should include both a detailed statement of the reasons for seeking exemption and a description of the program the applicant proposes to follow at Drexel. No exemptions are possible for INFO 503 or INFO 520.

Core courses			18.0 Credits
INFO 503	Introduction to Information Systems Analysis		3.0
INFO 510	Information Resources and Services I		3.0
INFO 511	Information Resources and Services II		3.0
INFO 515	Action Research		3.0
INFO 520	Professional and Social Aspects of Information Services		3.0
INFO 640	Managing Information Organizations		3.0
Concentrations
Youth Services			15.0 Credits
This concentration meets the interests of students planning public library careers with a focus on youth populations.
Students take the following courses required for the concentration:
INFO 650	Public Library Service		3.0
INFO 683	Resources for Children		3.0
INFO 684	Resources for Young Adults		3.0
Students select two courses from the following list:
INFO 649	Library Programming		3.0
INFO 652	Internet Information Resource Design		3.0
INFO 665	Collection Development		3.0
INFO 688	Instructional Role of the Information Specialist		3.0
Library and Information Services			15.0 Credits
This is a generalist concentration that includes key professional skills and an orientation to both a work setting and a relative elective.
Students take the following courses required for the concentration:
INFO 652	Internet Information and Resource Design		3.0
INFO 660	Cataloging and Classification		3.0
INFO 665	Collection Development		3.0
Students select one Work Setting course and one Public or Technical Services course from the following list:
Work Settings
INFO 650	Public Library Service		3.0
INFO 651	Academic Library Service		3.0
Public Services
INFO 649	Library Programming		3.0
	INFO 672-681 (specialized reference courses INFO 672, 673, 674, 675, 677, 680, and 681)		3.0
Technical Services
INFO 663	Technical Processes in Libraries		3.0
INFO 664	Library Automation		3.0
INFO 662	Metadata and Resource Description		3.0
Digital Libraries			15.0 Credits
This concentration covers a range of topics in digital resources, collections and services. It can serve as a bridging concentration accessible to MSIS students; several courses are part of the MSIS curriculum.
Students take the following courses required for the concentration:
INFO 652	Internet Information Resource Design		3.0
INFO 653	Digital Libraries		3.0
INFO 657	Digital Library Technologies		3.0
Students select two courses from the following list (courses are grouped based on general orientation):
Resource-focused courses
INFO 622	Content Representation		3.0
INFO 662	Metadata and Resource Description		3.0
Systems-focused courses
INFO 605	Database Management Systems I		3.0
INFO 608	Human Computer Interface Design		3.0
INFO 624	Information Retrieval Systems		3.0
INFO 658	Information Architecture		3.0
Competitive Intelligence and Knowledge Management			15.0 Credits
This concentration focuses on information needs and knowledge management in special library, corporate, and other organizational settings.
Students take the following courses required for the concentration:
INFO 643	Information Serviced in Organizations		3.0
INFO 644	Knowledge Management Systems		3.0
INFO 678	Competitive Intelligence		3.0
Students select one course from the following list:
INFO 674	Resources in Science and Technology		3.0
INFO 675	Medical Bibliography		3.0
INFO 677	Resources in Business		3.0
INFO 681	Legal Bibliography		3.0
Students select one additional course from the following list:
INFO 612	Knowledge Base Systems		3.0
INFO 650	Public Library Service		3.0
INFO 651	Academic Library Service		3.0
School Library Media Specialist
The School Library Media Services plan of study is designed for students who want to work in K-12 school library media centers in both the private and public sectors. This program is designed to certify students in Pennsylvania (certification and a field study must be completed within a 50 mile radius of Philadelphia), but may be transferable to other states. Students living outside of Pennsylvania are encouraged to familiarize themselves with their specific state requirements. The School Library Media Specialist curriculum is treated as a concentration, but the course choices are mandated by the student's prior educational background. See the School LIbrary Media Specialist Certification program on the College's web site for more detailed information.
Electives
	Free electives		12.0
	Total Credits		45.0