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.

Application Requirements:

• A USC Graduate School application and the non-refundable $50.00 application fee. Access the application at http://app.gradschool.sc.edu.

• The School of Library and Information Science Supplemental Application which is accessible through the Graduate School application. The Supplemental Application includes an essay requirement. Applicants must respond to the statements provided on the application when writing the essay.

• Master of Library and Information Science degree earned from an ALA-accredited university. An official transcript with MLIS degree posted from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency and ALA-accreditation. The GPA requirement is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

• An official transcript with baccalaureate degree posted from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency. The GPA requirement is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

• Official transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended.

• Two letters of recommendation. The recommenders should be in a position to evaluate (a) your academic performance at the undergraduate or graduate level (e.g., faculty or instructors) or (b) your job performance (e.g., supervisors or administrators). Letters from friends and relatives which speak only of the applicant’s personal attributes will not be accepted. For guidance concerning this matter, please contact the SLIS Admissions Coordinator at 803-777-3887. Applicants are required to provide contact information for recommenders who will be contacted by the Graduate School.

• Standardized test score report for either the GRE or MAT:

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Official score report for the GRE taken within the last five years must indicate a total score of 950 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of exams taken before August 2011. The verbal section must have a score of at least 500. The combined score requirement for the new GRE (beginning August 2011) must be 294 with at least 153 on the verbal section. You may register online at www.ets.org/gre. USC institution code is 5818.
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT) Official score report for tests taken within the last five years must indicate a score of at least 410. For MAT information and testing center locations go to www.milleranalogies.com.

• International Students: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ) International students whose native language is not English must also submit an official score report with a minimum score of 570 paper-based. TOEFL scores are available from ETS for two years. Information can be found at www.ets.org/toefl.

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.