2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
School of Library and Information Science
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 Return to: College of Education and Psychology
Melanie J. Norton, Director
118 College Drive, Box 5146
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4228
Bomhold, Creel, Haynes, Klingler, Welsh, Yu
The purpose of the School of Library and Information Science is to educate students for careers in the information professions. Covering all types of media formats, the curriculum prepares future information professionals to create, develop, organize, access and evaluate print and nonprint resources in a variety of settings.
The Bachelor of Arts in library and information science may be used to satisfy the requirements for licensure as a school library media specialist. The graduate program in library and information science is the only master’s program in Mississippi accredited by the American Library Association (see the Graduate Bulletin). The school cooperates with the university placement service in assisting its graduates in finding positions. Students are encouraged to join and support the activities of the Library and Information Science Student Association, the American Library Association, the Special Libraries Association and the Mississippi Library Association. Often these professional organizations provide job placement services.
Academic Standards for a Major in Library and Information Science
Any student who satisfies admission requirements to the university through the Office of Admissions is eligible for admission to the School of Library and Information Science. All students majoring in library and information science must have their major program approved by the director of the school and have a completed program plan on file in the director’s office.
During the first two years at the university, the library and information science major should acquire a broad general education in the liberal arts and sciences. Library and information science courses for the undergraduate major or minor are begun in the junior year and completed in the senior year. Library and information science majors are advised to concentrate elective hours in one subject field, professional area or language in order to qualify for better library positions. The student’s choice of a degree program should be determined by his or her career goals, licensure requirements and in consultation with a faculty adviser or the director of the school.
Students desiring to prepare for positions in public, academic or corporate libraries or information centers or other information professions should follow the general Bachelor of Arts degree program described below; this program requires 42 credit hours. General library and information science majors must also complete the requirements for a minor or a dual major in another field, a senior capstone course for their major, and sufficient elective hours from any departments of the university to complete the 124 semester hours required for a degree. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all library science courses and all required courses in the minor. Students should consult their advisers when planning their minors or dual majors.
Students are advised that in order to qualify for many professional positions in the library field, especially those in public, college and special library fields, a Master of Library and Information Science degree is required. See the Graduate Bulletin for information on the graduate program in library and information science.
Supplemental School Library Media Endorsement
The school offers a 21-credit-hour supplemental school library media endorsement. The endorsement may be added to an existing teaching credential or used as an endorsement area in the teacher education programs. The supplement consists of the following: LIS 401 , LIS 405 , LIS 408 , LIS 411 , LIS 445 , and one course from LIS 417 or LIS 418 and one course from LIS 416 or LIS 440 . The endorsement can be completed online. LIS uses real-time required chats in online courses.
If a student is interested in an LIS endorsement, he or she should contact an LIS adviser. Most of the endorsement courses require department consent for enrollment. ProgramsBachelor of ArtsNon-degree
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