San José State University
School of Library and Information Science | One Washington Sq. | San José, CA 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490 | URL: http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/
San José’s School of Library and Information Science offers the largest ALA-accredited MLIS program in the world, with more than 2,700 graduate students, a faculty of award-winning scholars and leaders in their professional communities, and a wide range of courses. Faculty members work closely with students as advisers and mentors, and class size is limited to 25.
The school is a recognized leader in making effective use of leading-edge technologies for distance learning. In 2007 U.S. News & World Report named it the No. 1 e-learning service provider in its discipline; by 2008 it was the largest e-learning program in the country in any discipline other than business and education.
Right, the exterior of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, San José State U.
 Admissions |
 Financial Aid |
 Graduate Student Population |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions requirements for the MLIS program include a B.A. or B.S. degree in any discipline and a GPA of at least 3.0. For more information, see the school’s Web site or contact Scharlee Phillips, Student Services Coordinator, at 408-924-2417. |
Students can apply for a range of SLIS scholarships and awards. For more information, see http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/resources/funding.htm.
For additional information regarding financial aid, including grants and loans, see http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/admissions/financial.htm. |
There are more than 2,700 graduate students, who reside in 40 states and 8 countries. The school awarded 446 MLIS degrees in 2007. |
Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
The MLIS is a 43-credit degree program, normally 15 courses, including three required foundational courses, a required one-unit technology course, a required course in research methods, and the culminating experience in the form of an e-portfolio or thesis. This leaves students with nine elective courses. Students can use their electives to build specializations in academic, public, school and special libraries, as well as information organization, library management, information architecture, archival studies, and reference services and instruction.
The MLIS program is not a place-based “traditional” one. Instead, students use sophisticated technology to take advantage of the school’s award-winning distance learning approach. Very few classes are delivered through an onsite-only model. Most are delivered through fully online or hybrid courses. The degree is available through fully online study.
The school does not require specific advanced courses for a desired career path. Students are instead encouraged to build on their strengths and interests, taking into consideration the knowledge and skills generally sought by employers in that sector of the market.
The school’s Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree is the only ALA-accredited program accredited in the California State University system.
Master of Archives and Records Administration
This program is taught totally online and is run in the cohort model. Cohort members take two courses a semester and graduate in just under three years. The MARA degree prepares students for careers in records and information management, a rapidly expanding field that plays an important role in the digital information age. MARA students learn how to use sophisticated technologies to help organizations preserve and provide access to their growing volume of digital assets. They also prepare for successful completion of the certification exams administered by the Institute for Certified Records Managers (work experience required to sit for this exam) and the Academy of Certified Archivists.
Executive Master of Library and Information Science
This is designed for experienced library managers who want to obtain their MLIS degree, with relevant curriculum focused on leadership issues.
Teacher Librarian Credential
Students earn their MLIS and complete the NCATE-accredited course work required to obtain the Teacher Librarian Services credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Offered through a partnership between the San Jose School of Library and Information Science and Queensland (Australia) University of Technology.
http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/gatewayphd/index.htm
The school’s motto is "Conveniently located everywhere." As the motto implies, it is possible to attend the school and obtain an MLIS or MARA degree entirely online, without leaving home. The school was named the No. 1 e-learning service provider in its field by US News & World Report in 2007 and 2006.
Although the school offers some hybrid classes (primarily online with a few onsite meetings), the majority of classes are offered online. The school uses the ANGEL Learning Management Suite as its primary course management tool, including the ANGEL ePortfolio system, which students use to gather digital artifacts that demonstrate their mastery of 15 core competencies. All SLIS faculty and students also have access to Elluminate Live Web conferencing software, which allows instructors to conduct online lectures that integrate PowerPoint slides, multimedia, and guided Web page tours, permits real-time audio conversation, and provides breakout rooms for small group work by students. Additionally, SLIS opened its Second Life island more than a year ago. The school’s graduate students use it to meet in virtual spaces with their instructors and peers, construct 3D objects and exhibits, and make presentations through their avatars.
The school has 23 full-time faculty, more than 100 part-faculty, and 14 full-time support staff. Follow the link to SLIS Audio and Video or visit http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/sections/faculty.htm to find faculty profiles. Information on faculty experience and research interests can also be found at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/sections/faculty.htm.
Class Size and Course Sections
Class size is limited to 25 students, and the school offers more than 200 course selections each year.
Career Services and Advising
Students benefit from opportunities for career exploration, job placement assistance, and a well-defined advising program.
Virtual Networking
SLISLife serves as the social networking space for the students, alum, and faculty of the San Jose School of Library and Information Science. It is a virtual place where the SLIS community can connect with each other via searchable profiles, messaging, and online journals (blogs) in order to share work, research, and ideas. It allows students and alum to connect with each other by areas of interest and geography.
Awards and Recognition
Named the No. 1 e-learning service provider in its field by US News & World Report in 2007 and 2006.
The school’s highly respected school library media credential program was ranked No. 6 in the nation by US News & World Report in 2007.
Received 2007 Pratt-Severn Faculty Innovation Award from the Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) in recognition of the school’s leadership in applying emerging technologies in a Web-based learning environment.
Named a 2007 Elluminate Center of Excellence, acknowledging the school’s leading edge adoption of synchronous online learning technology.
Tuition
Regular Session students live within designated California zip code areas, and the State of California provides funds to support these students. Tuition as of August 2008 for Regular Session students is $1,561 per semester for 0-6 units and $2,350 for 6.1 or more units per semester.
Special Session students live outside the designated California zip codes and the State does not provide funds to support these students. As of August 2008, Special Session students pay $439 per unit.
