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
The School’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ★60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
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.
Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:
- 100 (Internet-based) for the TOEFL, or equivalent;
- 70 for the CAEL with a minimum of 70 on each subtest;
- 7.5 on the overall band for the IELTS (Academic) with a minimum of 7 on each test band
Applicants are also required to submit the following
- Statement of Purpose
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Three Letters of Reference. Academic referees are preferred; where fewer than three academic referees are available, one professional/supervisor referee is acceptable.
The application deadline for all programs is February 1 for Fall entry.
Please consult Admissions on the School of Library and Information Studies website for 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.
Graduate Program Requirements
Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the subject headings Library and Information Studies (LIS).
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