The Cultural Heritage Informatics Leadership (CHIL) Program

Important Note:
SLIS will not admit for the doctoral and CHIL programs in 2012. Please visit the website later this year for information about future admissions.

Mission of the SLIS Ph.D. Program at USC

The mission of this program is to provide doctoral-trained teacher scholars for library and information science programs across the nation, and to promote the research-based foundation for these areas within the profession.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Ph.D. program is competitive and is based on a holistic review of the strength of the applicant's educational background (with the expectation of a master's-level degree in a related field), standardized test scores, work experience, a statement of research interests, and a personal interview.

Application requirements for the Ph.D. program include:

1. completing the Graduate School's online application form, including a written statement describing the applicant's anticipated research focus or interest and a nonrefundable $50 application fee;
   
   
2. official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended;
   
   
3. GRE scores taken within 3 years of application with combined verbal and quantitative scores of 297 or above and either a verbal score registering 160 or above or a quantitative score registering 148 or above (for older GRE scores within 3 years of application, the revised scale equates to combined verbal and quantitative scores of 1000 or above, with either the verbal or quantitative score registering 600 or above); a resume or c.v.; and a personal interview.
   
   
4. an official report showing a minimum score of 570 (230 computer-based) on the TOEFL or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS Academic Course Type 2 exam for international students whose native language is not English;
   
   
5. three letters of recommendation from persons able to comment on the applicant's academic ability and scholarly potential;
   
   
6. a resume or curriculum vitae outlining the applicant's educational and professional achievements (sent directly to the School of Library and Information Science);
   
   
7. following the receipt of all documents listed above, an interview with a member of the graduate faculty, preferably in person but, if necessary, by phone.

Financial Assistance

A number of highly competitive fellowships are available that pay both a stipend and a remission of tuition.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete an approved program of 54 credit hours of 700- and 800-level courses beyond the master’s level, including a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation preparation with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above.

• Core Courses (15 Hours)

• SLIS 801 - Research Issues in Library and Information Science
• SLIS 802 - Theory and Research Methods in Library and Information Science
• SLIS 803 - Information and Society
• SLIS 804 - Preparation for Academic Careers in Library and Information Science
• SLIS 805 - Information Policy and Ethics
  
  
• Research Methods (6 Hours)
  
  
• Qualitative Research – chosen from advisor-approved options such as EDRM 740 or ANTH 719
• Quantitative Research - chosen from advisor-approved options such as STAT 700 or STAT 701
  
  
• SLIS Electives (12 Hours)
  
  
• Chosen from advisor-approved 800-level seminars or 700-level courses appropriate to research interests and the production of work designed for scholarly publication or presentation
  
  
• Cognate Courses (9 Hours)
  
  
• Chosen from advisor-approved courses from another discipline related to the student’s research interests (i.e., mass communication, sociology, education, anthropology, computer science, English, geography, history, marketing, philosophy, political science, psychology, public administration)
  
  
• Comprehensive Written and Oral Examinations
  
  
• Dissertation Preparation (12 Hours)
• SLIS 899

Residency Requirement

The intent of the University and Graduate School residency requirement is to ensure that doctoral students benefit from and contribute to the full spectrum of educational and professional opportunities provided by the graduate faculty of a research university. When establishing residency, the student should interact with faculty and peers by regularly attending courses, conferences, and seminars and using the library, library services, and other resources that support excellence in graduate education.

The doctoral residency requirement may be satisfied only after admission to a doctoral degree program. It requires enrollment in at least 18 graduate credit hours within a span of three consecutive semesters (excluding summers). Enrollment in a summer term is not required to maintain continuity, but credits earned during summer terms (including May Session) will count toward the 18 hours required for residency.

Application Process | Committees | Ph.D. Requirements | SLIS Ph.D. Handbook |
SLIS Faculty Expertise and Research Interests | PhD Students

Contact Information: Dr. Jennifer Arns, jarns@mailbox.sc.edu