8.3 MASTER'S PROGRAMS IN THE SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION STUDIES

Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS)

The program leading to the master of library and information studies (MLIS) degree is a 36-credit-hour program, one of approximately fifty-five programs in the United States and Canada accredited by the American Library Association and the only ALA-accredited program in the state of Alabama. The degree prepares graduates to work in any type of library or information center—public, K–12, academic, or special—and in entrepreneurial and research environments, especially those using advanced information technologies.

Master of Fine Arts in the Book Arts (MFA)

The program leading to the master of fine arts (MFA) degree in the book arts is a 60-credit-hour course of study.  The following four areas comprise the MFA:  printing/publishing, bookbinding, papermaking, and the history of the book, with a program emphasis on the book as an integrated unit. Emphasis is placed on developing craft skills based on historical principles and techniques, as well as artistic expression.

Detailed information on both the MLIS and MFA programs is in the School of Library and Information Studies (LS) section of the Catalog.

Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of these graduate programs are as follows:

• Teaching. Provide students with the knowledge, skills, understanding, and diverse technologies to meet the changing informational and cultural needs of diverse populations and organizations. Foster leadership skills and abilities in all students, provide opportunities within the program for students with leadership potential to exercise their abilities, and encourage students as graduates to seek out and assume leadership roles. Improve and develop students' critical and conceptual thinking skills.
• Research and creative activity. Augment and advance knowledge through basic research and improve professional practice through systematic inquiry into its nature, standards, and principles.
• Service. Apply the insights and knowledge gained through research and instruction in service to public- and private-sector organizations.

See the online Graduate Catalog for specific information on admission criteria and degree requirements.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG

:: TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Graduate School | UA Catalogs | Graduate Publications | Contact