Master of Science (Library and Information Science)

45.0 quarter credits



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 MS(LIS) 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 in one of six areas: archival studies, competitive intelligence and knowledge management, digital libraries, library and information services, school library media and youth services. These concentrations are optional and will appear on the student's transcript. Except for the school library media concentration, three courses are typically required and two are chosen from a limited list of courses relevant to the topic area. The remaining 12 credits are free electives.

In exceptional cases, a student with previous coursework in an ALA-accredited program or information science 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 copy of the transcript, including course descriptions.

Core courses 18.0 Credits
INFO 515 Research in Information Organizations 3.0
INFO 520 Social Context of Information Professions 3.0
INFO 521 Information Users and Services 3.0
INFO 522 Information Access and Resources 3.0
INFO 530 Foundations of Information Systems 3.0
INFO 640 Managing Information Organizations 3.0
Electives
Free electives 12.0
 
 
Concentrations 15.0 credits
Archival Studies
The concentration in archival studies focuses on the practice and theory of managing collections of records and papers in a variety of archival settings, including governmental agencies, libraries, historical societies, corporations, not-for-profit organizations, museums, and religious institutions. The course content within this concentration provides the educational component required for post-graduate certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists. This concentration may also be of interest to students planning careers in academic and special libraries.
Students take the following courses required for the concentration:
INFO 560 Introduction to Archives I 3.0
INFO 561 Introduction to Archives II 3.0
INFO 750 Archival Access Systems 3.0
Students select two courses from the following list:
INFO 751 Archival Appraisal 3.0
INFO 755 Electronic Records Management 3.0
INFO 756 Digital Preservation 3.0
Library and Information Services
This is a generalist concentration that includes key professional skills and an orientation to both a work setting and a relevant elective.
Students take the following courses required for the concentration:
INFO 552 Introduction to Web Design for Information Organizations 3.0
INFO 660 Cataloging and Classification 3.0
INFO 665 Collection Management 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 Library Technical Services 3.0
INFO 664 Library Automation 3.0
INFO 662 Metadata and Resource Description 3.0
Digital Libraries
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 552 Introduction to Web Design for Information Organizations 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
INFO 740 Digital Reference Services 3.0
Systems-focused courses
INFO 605 Introduction to Database Management 3.0
INFO 608 Human-Computer Interaction 3.0
INFO 624 Information Retrieval Systems 3.0
INFO 658 Information Architecture 3.0
Competitive Intelligence and Knowledge Management
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 Services in Organizations 3.0
INFO 644 Knowledge Assets Management in Organizations 3.0
INFO 678 Competitive Intelligence 3.0
Students select one course from the following list:
Information Retrieval
INFO 624 Information Retrieval Systems 3.0
INFO 674 Resources in Science and Technology 3.0
INFO 675 Resources in the Health Sciences 3.0
INFO 677 Resources in Business 3.0
INFO 680 US Government Publications 3.0
INFO 681 Legal Research 3.0
Students select one additional course from the following list:
Resource Structure, Content & Context
INFO 612 Knowledge Base Systems 3.0
INFO 622 Content Representation 3.0
INFO 650 Public Library Service 3.0
INFO 651 Academic Library Service 3.0
INFO 653 Digital Libraries 3.0
INFO 658 Information Architecture 3.0
INFO 662 Metadata and Resource Description 3.0
INFO 679 Information Ethics 3.0
INFO 745 Special Libraries and Resource Centers 3.0
Youth Services
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 552 Introduction to Web Design for Information Organizations 3.0
INFO 665 Collection Management 3.0
INFO 688 Instructional Role of the Information Specialist 3.0
School Library Media (SLiM)

The School Library Media concentration is designed for students who wish to work in K-12 school library programs in both public and private schools. Designed to prepare graduates to be eligible for certification as school librarians by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the program meets the requirements of the State of Pennsylvania and provides a strong basis for seeking certification in other states as well. In most instances, students will be required to complete a supervised field study to be eligible for certification.

Three course sequences are available within the concentration: one for students who have no prior teaching certification from PDE; one for students who have had prior teaching certification from PDE and who wish to add school librarian certification to their credentials; and one for students with ALA-accredited master's degrees who wish to seek school librarian certification from PDE.

Currently, all courses in the School Library Media concentration except the Field Study (INFO 891 or INFO 892) are offered online. Field Study, which is required for certification in the State of Pennsylvania, must be completed within a 50-mile radius of Drexel University's main campus. Students seeking certification elsewhere should check on requirements in their own jurisdictions.

For full course sequences, visit http://www.ischool.drexel.edu/CS/GraduatePrograms/MS/slim.
School Library Media (SLiM) curriculum
(For students without PDE certification)		 60.0 Credits
INFO 515 Social Context of Information Professions 3.0
INFO 520 Social Context of Information Professions 3.0
INFO 521 Information Users and Services 3.0
INFO 522 Information Access and Resources 3.0
INFO 525 School Library Programs and Services 3.0
INFO 530 Foundations of Information Systems 3.0
INFO 552 Introduction to Web Design for Information Organizations 3.0
INFO 640 Managing Information Organizations 3.0
INFO 660 Cataloging and Classification 3.0
INFO 665 Collection Management 3.0
INFO 683 Resources for Children 3.0
INFO 684 Resources for Young Adults 3.0
INFO 688 Instructional Role of the Information Professional 3.0
INFO 891 Twelve-Week Field Study in School Library/Media 6.0
EDUC 522 Evaluation of Instruction 3.0
EDUC 542 Fundamentals of Special Education 3.0
EDUC 544 The Inclusive Classroom 3.0
EDUC 546 Literacy Development 3.0
EDUC 565 Foundations in Instructing ELLs 3.0
School Library Media (SLiM) curriculum
(For students already having PDE certification)		 45.0 Credits
INFO 515 Social Context of Information Professions 3.0
INFO 520 Social Context of Information Professions 3.0
INFO 521 Information Users and Services 3.0
INFO 522 Information Access and Resources 3.0
INFO 525 School Library Programs and Services 3.0
INFO 530 Foundations of Information Systems 3.0
INFO 552 Introduction to Web Design for Information Organizations 3.0
INFO 640 Managing Information Organizations 3.0
INFO 660 Cataloging and Classification 3.0
INFO 665 Collection Management 3.0
INFO 683 Resources for Children 3.0
INFO 684 Resources for Young Adults 3.0
INFO 688 Instructional Role of the Information Professional 3.0
INFO 892 Six-Week Field Study in School Library/Media 3.0