The Department of Library and Information Studies is one of the six academic departments of the School of Education at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) is the only degree offered by the department, and the program leading to that degree is accredited by the American Library Association.

Within the MLIS program, students may elect areas of specialization in public, academic, special, or school librarianship. The School Library Media Program specialization is designed to lead to licensure by the state of North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction for School Library Media Coordinators (076), School Media Supervisors (078), and Instructional Technology Specialists (077). The 076 licensure program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Graduates of our program find careers in public, academic, school, corporate, and museum libraries, as well as many other settings throughout the country and abroad. There is tremendous diversity in the kinds of employment available to holders of the MLIS degree that range from traditional library settings to federal agencies, corporations, and information product vendors.

The department welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. The arena of library and information studies is so diverse that any undergraduate preparation is appropriate. Our faculty is committed to educating information professionals capable of connecting people, information, and libraries.

General

The MLIS emphasizes the rapidly changing library and information field and prepares students for positions of leadership in school, public, special, and academic libraries and other information centers, as well as a variety of roles in both public and private agencies as information specialists. The MLIS requires 36 semester hours with at least 24 hours at the 600-level or above.

The MLIS is accredited by the American Library Association and is approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the licensure of school library media personnel. Graduates qualify for the North Carolina Public Library Certification.

LIS courses are also offered at a distance. Individuals wishing for more information about online courses should contact the department.

Required Core Courses (13 hours)

* LIS 600 Foundations of Library and Information Studies (3)

* LIS 620 Information Sources and Services (3)

* LIS 640 Organizing Library Collections (3)

* LIS 650 Library Administration and Management (3)

* LIS 698 Capstone Experience in Library and Information Studies (1)

Additional Technology Requirement (3 hours) 
Select one with advisement:

* LIS 630 Computer-Related Technologies for Information Management (3)

* LIS 631 Emerging Technological Trends in Information Access (3)

* LIS 632 Managing School/Library Computer Laboratories (3)

* LIS 635 Media Production Services for Library Programs (3)

Electives (17 hours)

Seventeen hours are selected with advisement from other graduate courses in Library and Information Studies or cognate fields. A minimum of 5 hours may be at the 600-level or above. Students in licensure programs in school and public libraries should confer with faculty for specific requirements.

Capstone Experience

Students must complete a professional portfolio or master’s project.

School Library Media

The MLIS is accredited by the American Library Association and is approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the licensure of school library media personnel. The school library media specialist program is nationally recognized by NCATE using the ALA/AASL professional education association guidelines. The Media Coordinator (076) licensure concentration requires 36 semester hours. Students without a valid North Carolina teaching license will be required to take additional coursework as well as an additional practicum. School library media licensure candidates will be required to present passing scores on the PRAXIS/NTE specialty area exam in addition to meeting degree requirements. Also, graduates qualify for the North Carolina Public Library Certification.

UNCG’s school library faculty work closely with students to provide numerous opportunities for authentic experiences in school library settings. Students are supported through instruction and individualized feedback. They have the opportunity to participate in practicums, lesson development, collection analysis, facility design, and media production. Regardless of whether or not a student has a background in education, the MLIS program can help students fulfill the requirements for school library licensure while earning the MLIS degree.

MLIS Core Courses (13 hours)

* LIS 600 Foundations of Library and Information Studies (3)

* LIS 620 Information Sources and Services (3)

* LIS 640 Organizing Library Collections (3)

* LIS 650 Library Administration and Management (3)

* LIS 698 Capstone Experience in Library and Information Studies (1)

Designated Electives (15 hours)

* LIS 617 Materials for Children (3) or LIS 618 Materials for Adolescents (3)

* LIS 635 Media Production Services for Library Programs (3)

* LIS 653 The School Library (3)

* LIS 654 School Library Media Specialist and the Curriculum (3)

* LIS 693 Practicum in School Library Media (3)

Capstone Experience

Students must complete a professional portfolio or master’s project.

School Media Supervisor

The MLIS emphasizes the rapidly changing library and information field and prepares students for positions of leadership in school, public, special, and academic libraries and other information centers, as well as a variety of roles in both public and private agencies as information specialists. The media director/supervisor is a system-level media professional who may be identified as Director of Library Media Services, Director of Media and Technology, Coordinator of Library Media Services, or Library Supervisor. Competencies are required in the areas of administration, supervision/management, and curriculum development for this certification area.

Licensure 
Director/Supervisor (Masters level) certification is required for service as Director of Media Services in a school system. Certification is based on eligibility to hold the Media Coordinator (076) certificate plus 12 graduate semester hours of credit in administration, curriculum development, and supervision and three years of acceptable experience as a Media Coordinator. 

Coursework (based on enrollment) leading to eligibility for Media Supervisor (078) licensure is offered to applicants who already have an MLIS degree and a Media Coordinator (076) licensure.

LIS courses are also offered at a distance. Individuals wishing for more information about online courses should contact the department.

Online Education

The UNC Greensboro LIS program offers exciting opportunities for distance students. In addition to our many online course opportunities, we also feature an education hub in Charlotte, N.C.

Technology Requirements:

  • Computer headset and microphone
  • Broadband connection

The Charlotte Hub offers monthly meetings with Beth Martin, Distance Education Coordinator. These meetings will take place at various locations in the Charlotte area and are open to all. The meetings will give you the opportunity to discuss the course offerings, meet your classmates, and ask questions about the profession.

In addition, UNCG LIS will have Town Hall meetings with our Department Chair, Dr. Clara M. Chu, where you can learn about developments in the program and ask questions. We have Charlotte area professionals who can serve as mentors throughout your program and into your career.

Our yearly Career Day events feature panelists from a variety of libraries and information agencies. Career Day includes experienced librarians as well as recent graduates to give you an overall picture of the job search and what to expect once you get the job. Additionally, many of our Greensboro campus events are accessible to distance education students via live-streaming or videocast.