Individualized Program of Study
Students may be admitted in the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.
The Library profession is constantly evolving to manage the almost daily advances in technology – as well as the increasing sophistication of library users. The Individualized specialization will give you the essential skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to succeed as an information professional in a wide variety of positions and library facilities. You’ll take four core courses to gain competency in organizing, retrieving, and managing information. These courses will give a familiarity with various technologies and types of library institutions.
In addition to the core courses, your plan of study can be designed around your individual and career interests. For example, you might be considering working with a specific type of collection or patron group. Therefore, you might take elective courses in government documents, digital collections or resources and services for adults. Or, your interests may lie more toward foundational library activities such as indexing, cataloguing or digitizing. This specialization will give you the greatest career flexibility in that you would be prepared to work in institutions such as public, corporate or special libraries.
Students will take the four required courses in the MLIS degree program.
- LIS 2000 Understanding Information (should be taken in the first term)
- LIS 2005 Organizing and Retrieving Information
- LIS 2600 Introduction to Information Technology
- LIS 2700 Managing Libraries & Information Centers in Changing Environments
You should carefully consult with your advisor about the most optimal sequence of required and elective courses.
Students will take eight elective courses, designing a course of study that will best meet career goals. You may choose from a wide array of other courses in:
| Book Arts, Preservation, Archives | 2200 - 2299 |
| Resources and Services for Specific Patron Groups | 2300 - 2399 |
| Organization of Information | 2400 - 2499 |
| Subject Area Resources and Services | 2500 - 2599 |
| Information Technology | 2600 - 2699 |
| Management Courses | 2700 - 2799 |
| Organizational Behavior | 2800 - 2899 |
For information about careers in librarianship, you should check the websites of the American Library Association and the Public Library Association.
Lead Faculty
Susan W. Alman, Director, Online Education
For more information about this specialization, please contact our Student Recruitment Coordinator at lisinq@sis.pitt.edu or 412-648-3108 .