The Certificate of Graduate Study in Library and Information Science is tailored to complement the Master of Library and Information Science program by providing post-Master's degree instruction designed to enhance the student's career opportunities in his or her chosen area of specialization. Completion of the Certificate of Graduate Study in Library and Information Science will acknowledge to the prospective employer the student's additional preparation for specific job responsibilities.

Employers often seek students who have specialization-related course work in areas such as library administration, information science, technical services, information and records management, or information systems design. Students planning careers in school library media may choose to enroll in the certificate program to complete state certification requirements. In some areas of specialization, all course work will be taken within the School of Library and Information Science. In others, there will be an interdisciplinary educational approach in which the student may enroll in elective courses in other units of the University, such as computer science, business administration, or education.

Students may apply to the Certificate of Graduate Study in Library and Information Science by one of two methods:

(1) Currently enrolled MLIS students who wish to continue and earn the Certificate, must re-apply to the graduate school. Students currently enrolled in the MLIS who wish to continue and earn the certificate should seek admission to the certificate program prior to the completion of 24 credit hours of course work; current MLIS students must submit an official application from the Graduate School for the certification program time prior to the completion of 24 hours of MLIS course work.

(2) Graduates of the MLIS program, or of other ALA accredited Master's programs in library and information science, will be required to complete the full 18 hours of course work for the certificate. Requirements for admission to the Certificate of Graduate Study in Library and Information Science are the same as those listed for the MLIS program. Application would be made through the electronic application at this URL: http://www.gradschool.sc.edu/futurestudents/OnlineApplication.html .
It must be accompanied by a $50 application fee.

Degree Requirements:

The certificate program consists of 18 credit hours of required and elective course work in a specific area of library and information science. A student may pursue the certificate simultaneously with the M.L.I.S. or following completion of the M.L.I.S. School of Library and Information Science students who are admitted to the certificate program prior to completion of the M.L.I.S. are allowed to use 6 hours of M.L.I.S. credit toward the certificate provided the 6 hours are related to the proposed area of specialization for the certificate. If there is a lapse of time between completion of the M.L.I.S. and enrollment in the certificate program or if the student is a graduate of another ALA-accredited master’s program, 18 hours of course work will be required to earn the certificate. Courses that will be more than four years old at the time the certificate will be awarded may not be included in the program of study.

Students must complete a minimum of 3 credit hours of internship (SLIS 794 ) and an additional nine or 15 credit hours, depending upon whether admission was prior to or following completion of the MLIS degree. Students may choose their elective courses in library and information science or a related discipline after consultation with an academic advisor. Each student’s program of study will be tailored according to prior course work and the student’s professional objectives.

The student will apply for and be awarded the MLIS degree upon completion of the 36 hours required for that degree. Subsequently the student will be awarded the Certificate of Graduate Study in Library and Information Science upon completion of the additional 12-18 hours as specified above.