Field Experience

A field experience is a three-credit elective that incorporates two components completed over one term:

1. 130 hours of supervised professional work carried out by an MLIS student at an information service host site that provides the student with an opportunity to apply the skills, methodologies, and theories learned through coursework, and
2. 20 hours of scheduled class meetings, conferences, and on-line reflective discussion with other students registered for LIS 2921 or LIS 2924 in a given term, and overseen by the field experience coordinator.

Please note the definition, course prerequisites, academic and work requirements, and application process for LIS 2921 or 2924 Field Experience vary from that of LIS 2922 Practicum in School Libraries. Students in the School Library Certification Program (SLCP) must successfully complete LIS 2922 and follow the requirements of the SLCP program in order to meet teacher certification requirements.

Goals

Students will clarify their career objectives while gaining insightful, resume-worthy experience at an information organization, which will help prepare them for their chosen career.

Current students wishing to complete a field experience must follow the application process outlined here. You will need an active Pitt email (example: sct114@pitt.edu) and Pitt password to login.