General Information
The School of Library and Information Studies, the only graduate professional library and information studies program in the prairie provinces, offers the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree. The MLIS degree is offered on campus or completely online.
As a professional degree, the MLIS represents a program designed to develop the knowledge, understanding, attitudes, and skills that will prepare graduates to help people define their information needs, make their information seeking more effective, use information tools efficiently, evaluate information, critically examine Internet resources, make informed decisions about what to read, and help organizations manage their records and knowledge.
The MLIS program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association. This accreditation is also recognized by the Canadian Library Association.
Student Organizations
The Library and Information Studies Students’ Association represents all students enrolled in the MLIS program. Students elect their own officers, with the presiding officer representing them at meetings of the School Council. LISSA provides liaison between students and faculty and encourages participation in a variety of academic, professional, and extracurricular activities.
Entrance Requirements
An applicant with a four-year undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta, or a comparable degree from another accredited university, who has obtained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (or its equivalent) in the last 20 half-courses (or equivalent) of academic studies may be admitted as a candidate for the MLIS degree. Applicants who lack these qualifications are advised to make up any deficiency in consultation with the School of Library and Information Studies in order to be considered for admission as a candidate for the MLIS.
All applicants who are required to write an English language examination are advised to do so at an early date because a satisfactory score is required in order to be considered for admission (see English Language Requirement ). The passing score is 90 for the MELAB; 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based) for the TOEFL; 70 for the CAEL with a minimum of 70 on each subtest; or 7.5 on the overall band for the IELTS (Academic) with a minimum of 7 on each test band.
Applicants without a degree from a Canadian university may be required to take the Graduate Record Examination administered by the Educational Testing Service. Students should arrange for the testing agency to report results to the School of Library and Information Studies, which will judge whether or not the results are satisfactory. Acceptable scores are 600 in the Verbal Section, 525 in the Quantitative Section, and 600 in the Analytical Section.
Applicants are judged not only on their academic record but also by their professional promise as indicated in three letters of reference (letters to support application for graduate admission), statement of purpose, and curriculum vitae.
Admission offers are made from a review of complete applications received by the School by February 1. A complete application includes the application form and its supporting materials, transcripts, and three letters of reference (letters to support application for graduate admission). Where fewer than three academic referees are available, one professional/supervisor referee is acceptable for one of the references. All must be received before applications can be reviewed for admission to the MLIS program. Applicants considered will receive notification of a decision on their application no later than March 31. Once the School’s acceptance limit is reached, subsequent acceptable applicants may be placed on a waiting list.
Decisions on internal scholarships and awards are normally made by June 1. Students are encouraged to seek out opportunities for scholarships and awards and to apply for these prior to and during the course of their programs.
Students who are offered admission to the MLIS program may have their admissions deferred to the following fall term if the School is notified in writing before the beginning of the Fall term.
Please consult www.slis.ualberta.ca for full application details.
Financial Assistance
Inquiries regarding program and course details, and financial assistance should be made to the School of Library and Information Studies. Details about University awards are found at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca.
Academic Standing
The pass mark for any course taken for credit towards the Master of Library and Information Studies degree is a grade of C+. A student who does not achieve a pass mark in any required course must repeat the course. A student who does not achieve a pass mark in an elective course must repeat the course or substitute another elective course.
An overall average of 2.7 must be maintained throughout the program. If the School decides that a graduate student is not making satisfactory progress in either coursework or research, the School may recommend to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research that the student be required to withdraw.
Reexaminations
Graduate students are not permitted to take reexaminations.
Appeals and Grievances
Students who have grievances related to academic judgments inherent in marks or grades awarded in any course should follow the grievance procedures set out by the School of Library and Information Studies and the Faculty which offers the course.
Students who have grievances related to a decision of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) affecting the student’s academic program should first exhaust the appeal and grievance procedures of the School and then, if desired, may pursue the appeal procedures of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. These procedures are available from the School and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
Time Limits for Completion of Program
Candidates in the course-based route must have completed all the requirements within six years of the time they are first registered as a probationary graduate student or candidate in the Master’s program. Candidates in the thesis-based route must have completed all requirements within four years of the time they are first registered.
Graduate Program Requirements
Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the subject headings Library and Information Studies (LIS).