The Certificate in Specialized Study in Information Science provides students with an opportunity to focus on specific areas of library and information science. Students may pursue the certificate as a stand-alone credential or as part of a graduate degree program.
The certificate consists of four courses (12 credits). For students in the MLIS program (general track) four of the six required elective courses may be selected within an area of interest to complete the certificate requirements, allowing students to pursue a cohesive area of study related to their professional interests.
- Students in the School Library concentration of the MLIS will work directly with their advisor to see which, if any, areas of interest may be possible given the limited number of elective spaces available in the degree.
The iSchool faculty have mapped out several options for areas of interest. In some cases, students may create their own area of interest in coordination with their advisor.
The list below outlines the areas of interest students may want to pursue. Each area of interest includes the intended Program of Study — an outline of the courses applicable in each area.
Required course:
- ISCI 729: Academic Libraries
Choose three additional courses from the following:
- ISCI 708: Advanced Reference Across the Disciplines
- ISCI 739: Teaching for Academic Libraries
- ISCI 769: Copyright in the Digital Environment
- ISCI 797: Selected Topics in Librarianship and Information Services
- If specific topic is relevant to the area.
- Course(s) from other specialization areas such as technical services and archives. Speak with your advisor for approval.
Required course:
- EITHER ISCI 764: Universal Design and Accessibility for Youth OR ISCI 765: Planning Library Facilities
Choose three additional courses from the following:
- ISCI 751: Libraries, Literacy, and Literature
- ISCI 752: Diversity in Libraries
- ISCI 764: Universal Design and Accessibility for Youth
- ISCI 765: Planning Library Facilities
- ISCI 769: Copyright in the Digital Environment
- ISCI 797: Selected Topics in Librarianship and Information Services
- If specific topic is relevant to the area.
Required Course:
- ISCI 711: Introduction to Archival and Records Studies
Choose three additional courses from the following:
- ISCI 717: Special Collections Librarianship
- ISCI 719: Preservation Planning and Administration
- ISCI 723: Special Libraries
- ISCI 725: Digital Libraries
- ISCI 750: Information and Records Management
- ISCI 797: Selected Topics in Librarianship and Information Services
- If specific topic is relevant to the area.
Required Courses:
- ISCI 756 Children’s Materials
- ISCI 757 Young Adult Materials
Choose two additional courses from the following:
- ISCI 600 Storytelling
- ISCI 754 Programming for Children and Young Adults
- ISCI 759 Materials for Early Childhood
- ISCI 760 Materials and Services for Latino Youth
- ISCI 764 Universal Design and Accessibility for Youth
- ISCI 767 Management of Public Library Youth Services
- ISCI 797: Selected Topics in Librarianship and Information Services
- If specific topic is relevant to the area.
Required Courses:
- ISCI 752 Diversity in Libraries
- ISCI 781 Critical Cultural Information Studies
Choose two additional courses from the following:
- ISCI 714: Trauma Informed Librarianship
- ISCI 760: Materials and Services for Latino Youth
- ISCI 764: Universal Design and Accessibility for Youth
- ISCI 782: Social Justice Storytelling and Advocacy
- ISCI 797: Selected Topics in Librarianship and Information Services
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- If specific topic is relevant to the area.
Required Courses:
- ISCI 560: Data Visualization
- EITHER ICOM 709: Fundamentals of Data and Communications I OR ICOM 710: Fundamentals of Data and Communication II
Choose two additional courses from the following:
- ISCI 534: Knowledge Discovery Techniques
- ISCI 770: Design and Management of Databases
- ICOM 710: Fundamentals of Data and Communication II
- ISCI 797: Selected Topics in Librarianship and Information Services
- If specific topic is relevant to the area.
Choose any four courses from the following:
- ISCI 726 Leading Knowledge-Intensive Organizations
- ISCI 736 Project Management for Library Collections
- ISCI 765: Planning Library Facilities
- ISCI 767 Management of Public Library Youth Services
- ISCI 776 Web Technologies for Information Specialists
- ISCI 785 Leadership and Ethics in Information Security
- ISCI 797: Selected Topics in Librarianship and Information Services
- If specific topic is relevant to the area.
Required Course:
- ISCI 728: Public Library Systems
Choose three additional courses from the following:
- ISCI 713: Crisis management and communication in libraries
- ISCI 714: Trauma Informed Librarianship
- ISCI 751: Libraries, Literacy, and Literature
- ISCI 755: Page-Turners & Programs: Engaging Adult Readers in Libraries.
- ISCI 765: Planning Library Facilities
- ISCI 779: Social Informatics
- ISCI 797: Selected Topics in Librarianship and Information Services
- If specific topic is relevant to the area.
- Course(s) from other specialization areas such as children/youth, technical services, accessibility, or cultural competence. Speak with your advisor for approval.
Choose any four courses from the following:
- ISCI 730 Cataloging Information Materials
- ISCI 731 Subject Analysis and Classification
- ISCI 733 E-Resources Management
- ISCI 735 Metadata
- ISCI 736 Project Management for Library Collections
- ISCI 797: Selected Topics in Librarianship and Information Services
- If specific topic is relevant to the area.
Choose two courses from systems-related courses:
- ISCI 770: Design and Management of Databases
- ISCI 776: Web Technologies for Information Specialists
- ISCI 780: Information Networks
Choose two courses from cataloging-related courses:
- ISCI 730 Cataloging Information Materials
- ISCI 731 Subject Analysis and Classification
- ISCI 733 E-Resources Management