Pathways

The widespread digitization of texts and availability of electronic media have made archives and special collections in libraries and other organizations more important than ever. MS students gain familiarity with the concepts and language used in appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation and conservation, and reference services (and how technology plays a role) in this area.
Sample job titles: Curator; Special Collections Librarian; Archivist; Records Manager; Digital Archivist; Registrar
Sample courses:
IS 471 Instructional Strategies and Techniques for Information Professionals
IS 501 Reference and Information Services
IS 523 Preserving Information Resources
IS 543 Digital Preservation
IS 562 Administration and Use of Archival Materials
IS 573 Community Archives
IS 582 Rare Book and Special Collections Librarianship
IS 585 Bibliographic Metadata
IS 593 Archival Arrangement and Description
IS 593 Audio Visual Materials in Libraries and Archives
Data and information are ubiquitous. Libraries and organizations depend on professionals who can manage, clean, organize, and interpret data to make decisions, assess services, support research, and make new discoveries. MSLIS students are prepared to be instrumental contributors to libraries and a variety of organizations through strong theoretical and technical understanding of data in society and within organizations.
Sample job titles: Data Services Librarian; Data Curator; Metadata Specialist; Digital Repository Librarian; Digital Asset Manager; Information Architect Taxonomist
Sample courses:
IS 407 Introduction to Data Science
IS 430 Foundations of Information Processing
IS 521 Digital Libraries
IS 537 Theory & Practice of Data Cleaning
IS 543 Digital Preservation
IS 547 Foundations of Data Curation
IS 575 Metadata in Theory and Practice
IS 585 Bibliographic Metadata
IS 594 Project Management
At the core of libraries and most organizations is well-organized information that should allow users to perform research, make decisions, or merely satisfy a personal inquiry.  MSLIS students are prepared to apply information organization standards and tools; utilize, maintain and develop systems to organize information; and create usable interfaces to information systems.
Sample job titles: Cataloger; Web Services Librarian; Information Architect; Metadata Analyst
Sample courses:
IS 455 Database Design and Prototyping
IS 521 Digital Libraries
IS 563 Digital Humanities
IS 575 Metadata in Theory & Practice
IS 577 Data Mining
IS 584 Privacy in the Internet Age
IS 585 Bibliographic Metadata
IS 594 Information Policy
IS 594 Project Management
The modern globalized workplace relies on fast, accurate information. Knowledge managers research, organize, and analyze information on which major strategic decisions are based. Businesses and other organizations also rely on systems to store valuable information that is used by employees to make integral contributions. In order to provide this information support and system management, MSLIS students develop research and analysis techniques to represent information and to customize and efficiently utilize systems that manage critical organizational information.
Sample job titles: Prospect Researcher; Research Analyst; Business Intelligence Manager; Competitive Intelligence Analyst
Sample courses:
IS 455 Database Design and Prototyping
IS 501 Reference and Information Services
IS 514 Applied Business Research
IS 527 Network Analysis
IS 534 Information Consulting
IS 584 Privacy in the Internet Age
IS 594 Information Policy
IS 594 Project Management
IS 595 Competitive Intelligence and Knowledge Management
Research, reference, and instruction help to guide the research and information services pathway here at the iSchool.  Exploring and assessing information needs and practices from the past to the present provides students with a strong foundation to be successful in the field. Coursework will provide opportunities to explore methods of research, strategies for instruction, and the intricacies of reference work.
Sample job titles: Adult Services Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian; Electronic Resources Librarian; Law Librarian; Learning Resource Center Manager; Health Sciences Librarian; Business Librarian
Sample courses:
IS 429 Web Design and Construction for Organizations
IS 501 Reference and Information Services
IS 530 Collection Development
IS 544 Administration and Management of Libraries and Information Centers
IS 561 Use and Users of Information
IS 571 Information Services for Diverse Users
IS 582 Academic Librarianship
IS 582 International Librarianship
IS 585 Introduction to Bibliographic Metadata
IS 594 Project Management
Youth services and school librarianship is a rich concentration involving the study of children's and young adult literature; storytelling and folklore in the oral tradition; young reader/writer interactions in multiple literacies; and librarianship in public and school settings. MSLIS students who use this pathway as a guide will be excellent candidates for work as an information professional serving children and young adults in public libraries, school libraries, and nontraditional institutions through which young people seek or are provided with educational and entertainment resources.
Sample job titles: Children's/Youth/Teen Librarian; eMedia Coordinator; Youth Collection Development Librarian; Library/Media Specialist; School Librarian; Library Information Specialist
Sample courses:
IS 401 Introduction to Network Information Systems
IS 453 Information Books and Resources for Youth
IS 501 Reference and Information Services
IS 506 Youth Services Librarianship
IS 530 Collection Development
IS 532 School Library Management
IS 571 Information Services for Diverse Users
IS 571 Literacy, Reading, and Readers
IS 581 Media Literacy and Youth
IS 590 Youth Services Community Engagement
 

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