Library & Information Science Program FAQs
Last Updated: Sept. 21, 2006
General Entry and Acceptance Questions
How do I apply?
You can apply online at www.du.edu/grad/onlineapp.html or contact the College of Education at 800-835-1607 or by email at edinfo@du.edu to request a program information packet for our MLIS program.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for applications is December 1st.
What is considered for acceptance to your program?
The LIS program takes a "whole person" philosophy when accepting students. Thus, the admissions committee will examine your Transcripts, Letters of Recommendation, Resume, Statement of Professional Goals Essay, GPA, and any prior experience that is applicable to the program.
What materials do I need to submit in order to apply to your program?
First you will need to apply online as stated above. Then you will also need to submit your "Supplemental Application Materials". Information on these materials can be found by following the link on the right hand side of the LIS homepage located at: http://www.du.edu/LIS/ The "Supplemental Application Materials" include Transcripts, 3 Letters of Recommendation, a Resume, an Experience Summary, and a Statement of Professional Goals Essay. For further application questions you may contact our admission office at: 303-871-2509.
Where do I send my materials?
To ensure proper and timely processing of your application, please send all the application materials in ONE packet to:
University of Denver
Office of Graduate Admissions
2197 S. University Blvd.
University Hall, Room 216
Denver, CO 80208
Is there a particular degree that would give me a better chance of being accepted into the program? (what degree will work)
No. The LIS program welcomes individuals with unique backgrounds to bring different perspectives to the program. However, depending on the degree you hold, you may have to take some additional coursework to create a foundation of knowledge from which to build upon. Even with a different degree many students find hat they have had prior experiences that relate to the field they are pursuing which can also aid in building that foundation of knowledge.
Are GREs required for admission?
No. GRE scores are not required for admittance.
When will I hear about my application?
Applicants will receive an e-mail that their application was received by the DU Graduate Studies Admissions Office and will be notified if there is any missing information. Students are encouraged to check on the status of their application materials at this office at gstadm@du.edu. Once an application file is complete, the file is sent to the College of Education Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services to be reviewed by LIS Program faculty. Typically, decisions about acceptance into the LIS Program are made in early March.
Who should I get letters from?
It is best to obtain letters of recommendation from professors or professionals who know you well and are engaged in studies similar to the program to which you are applying. For recent graduates, updated recommendation letters from former professors that can speak to your academic abilities as well as your character are recommended. For individuals entering the program with years of work experience, letters of ecommendation from professionals who have seen your abilities working in the field. Most importantly, choose individuals that are knowledgeable about your past experiences as well as your goals for the future and who know you well enough to adequately discuss your accomplishments and potential.
Can I use a graduate letter from my former undergraduate program?
Yes. However it is preferred that the professor that originally wrote the letter updates it if a significant amount of time has passed. It is also recommended that you provide an additional letter from someone who knows you well and can speak about you and your performance in your current environment.
Is an interview required?
Yes. In-person or a phone interview is currently required as part of the admissions process. You will be notified and given a time for an interview after your application is complete and has been reviewed.
Do you accept students mid year?
No, all applications are reviewed once each year February — March. All applications must be received by December 1st to be reviewed for admission the following Fall quarter.
How many students will you be accepting and do you have an estimate of how many people will be applying?
The number of applications we receive from year to year varies; however, on average we typically receive over 100 applications per year. From this number, about 40 students are selected for spots in our LIS program.
Is there some way to transfer in my undergraduate class in.....?
Only graduate level courses can be transferred or waived by the Program and it must have been within five years and taken at an accredited graduate program. Transferred credits cannot have been used toward another degree. In some cases, if your undergraduate work is similar in content to a required graduate course, you may be able to take an optional course after a review of the content with your advisor. A waived course lets you take another graduate course in place of one we require if you have already taken very similar content. Transfer courses are different than waived courses since they reduce the number of credits you take at DU overall and must be at a graduate level. There is a limit of 10 graduate credits you can transfer into DU.
What graduate coursework is accepted as transfer credit?
Transferring graduate coursework into the LIS program is discussed on an individual basis with your advisor. If you wish to transfer in comparable graduate level coursework you will need to bring in the syllabus, text, and other course materials from the graduate class you have already taken when you meet with your advisor in the first quarter of your program. The graduate coursework you wish to transfer in must be no more than five (5) years old, cannot have been counted toward another degree, and must be transferred in your first quarter of enrollment at the University of Denver. A maximum of 10 credits may be transferred in. Graduate coursework that is transferred-in will go towards the total number of DU classes you will need to graduate.
Will my graduate coursework for my previous graduate degree at.....count?
The University of Denver has a maximum of credits from a previous graduate program that can count toward a degree in the LIS program. The exact number of credits that can be applied to the new degree vary however, based on course content and domain. Once again, transfers must be made with the approval of your advisor, and must be completed during your first quarter of enrollment.
Can I talk to a student from the program?
Yes. We encourage prospective students to communicate with current students in order to get the clearest possible picture of graduate life at the University of Denver. To do so, contact the College of Education Office Admissions and Enrollment Services at edinfo@du.edu and ask for the names and email addresses of students who have given permission to have you contact them.
I would love to set up an appointment with someone in your department who could provide me a better understanding of the LIS program at DU and be able to discuss possible options. Is that possible?
Yes. Although not mandatory, we encourage prospective students to see the campus and meet current students and faculty. Such a visit does take some planning, however. Call the College of Education Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services at 303-871-2509 or 800-835-1607, or e-mail at edinfo@du.edu, and they will help you plan your visit. It is preferable if you would arrange for visits through the Admissions Office and not through individual faculty. In addition, please try to attend one of our Information Sessions (http://www.du.edu/education/openhouses.htm) scheduled throughout the year. In the spring, we host a Graduate Experience Day for students already accepted into our graduate program but who have not made a final decision. LIS faculty and students will be available to meet with accepted students at this meeting. Students who have not visited the campus are encouraged to attend this event to gain more information about the program and the University of Denver before making their final graduate school decision.
Financial Aid and other Financial Considerations
What funding or assistantships are there for graduate students?
A variety of types of aid are available for graduate students in the LIS program. There are a limited number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships also available to students in the program that provide some tuition reimbursement as well as monthly stipends. Scholarship money is also available on a yearly basis to students in the program that apply and have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ form on file. Lastly, federal financial aid, including Perkins loans and Stafford loans, are available. For information on financial aid, visit http://www.du.edu/finaid.
What is the cost of tuition?
The current graduate credit costs can be found at http://www.du.edu/registrar/regbill/reg_tuitionfees.html
Will I need to pay out of state, or how do I get in-state tuition?
The University of Denver is a private institution, thus tuition is the same for both
in-state and out-of-state students. For an estimate of yearly costs, visit http://www.du.edu/finaid/gradcost.htm.
If I establish residency, will half of my tuition be paid?
No. See above.
What kinds of insurance coverage do graduate students receive?
Graduate students have the option of obtaining their own private health insurance or using the health insurance provided by the University of Denver. For specific information regarding the coverage under the University of Denver's plan, visit http://www.du.edu/duhealth/healthcenter/general/insurance.html.
What is the cost of housing?
Graduate students have the choice to live on or off the University of Denver campus. Information regarding on-campus housing can be found at http://www.du.edu/housing/ and includes information about building options, dining plans, parking, etc. Off-campus housing information can be found at http://www.du.edu/och/ and includes links to nearby apartment complexes as well as information about how to find roommates, transportation, childcare, banks, etc. Once you confirm you are coming to DU, you can also use our LIS student listserv to find other students who may be looking for a roommate.
General Information about the LIS Program
When does the program start? Can I begin anytime?
The LIS program only accepts applications once per year and new students begin each year in Fall Quarter which is typically the first or second week of September.
How long do I have to finish my LIS degree?
You will have 5 years in which to complete all course work. If more time is needed, students may apply for an extension under certain circumstances, but this is reviewed on a case by case basis.
How long do students generally take to complete the LIS degree?
The LIS degree is designed to take about 2 years for completion. The time needed depends on the student and their schedule. Some students finish in as little as 1½ years while others may take up to 5. It really depends on how many credits a student takes per quarter. Generally if a student maintains full-time status, they will be able to finish in 2 years.
How many credit hours is the LIS degree?
58 total quarter hours are needed to complete the requirements for the LIS degree. Of these 58 quarter hours each student will need to take core credits plus the number of credits needed for their concentration and additional elective credits to total 58 quarter hours.
Do I have to come as a full-time student?
No. The LIS program has a flexible schedule and students can take courses full-time or part-time, depending on their needs.
What does full-time enrollment mean?
Full-time enrollment status in the graduate program is achieved by taking a minimum of 8 credit hours per quarter.
How many credits are each class?
Generally our classes are 3 quarter hours each.
The LIS program runs on the quarter hour system. How does this differ from the semester hour system?
Semester hours count 1.5 times 1 quarter hour. For instance, a 3-semester-hour course is equal to a 4.5-quarter-hour course.
Can students work full-time while taking classes in the LIS program?
The LIS program is designed for those that work full-time during the day.
What times are your classes offered?
Our classes are generally offered Monday through Friday, with sessions from 4 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9:25 p.m.
What concentrations are offered in the LIS program?
There are four concentrations offer in our program:
- Library and Information Resources and Technologies (LIRT)
This 13 quarter credit hour concentration educates library and information professionals to develop services and to collect and organize resources for diverse user groups. The theories and practices of the computer science discipline are coupled with the library and information science discipline to prepare for an evolving technological environment. - Archives and Records Management (ARM)
This 18 quarter hour concentration familiarizes students with the life cycle of records from creation to final disposition in all formats: paper and electronic, analog, and digital. Students master appraisal techniques and the creation of finding aids. The program emphasizes administration of both record centers and archival repositories, as well as the conservation and preservation of archival materials. - School Library Media (SLM)
This 21 quarter hour concentration prepares students to work with children and young adults in elementary, secondary or K-12 school libraries, as well as youth services departments in public libraries. School library media certification assumes students have a valid teaching credential. Recommendations for endorsement in school library media are made by the DU Library and Information Science program but endorsement is granted by each state. The Colorado State Department of Education has approved the School Library Media Specialist program. Individual state requirements vary and may include teaching experience and media examinations in addition to valid teaching credentials. - Knowledge Management (KM)
This 19-quarter-hour concentration is specifically designed for information professionals working in corporate environments. Knowledge management is an emerging field that preserves the intellectual capital of an organization by selecting, digitizing, repackaging, creating, organizing, and disseminating tacit and explicit knowledge. Students will be educated as knowledge managers who are capable of connecting knowledge owners to knowledge seekers in an electronic environment.
What do graduates from the LIS program do after they leave DU?
The LIS program prepares graduates to serve in school, public, academic, or specialized libraries, as well as in business or corporate settings where the effective information management of information is crucial.
What percentage of students finds employment right after graduation?
Graduates of the LIS program are highly successful in gaining employment after graduation. Our alumni survey from 2004 showed that 96% of our alumni were employed.
Which faculty are doing research and can I be involved?
All LIS program faculty are very active in their research interests. For a description of faculty members and their research interests, visit the faculty web page at http://www.du.edu/education/facultyStaff/faculty.html. Faculty always welcome student interest and participation, and are often looking for members of ongoing research discussion groups.
Is your program accredited?
Yes. Our program has been accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) since 2004. Our next site visit will be in 2011.
Can I do my required practicum out of state?
Yes. It is possible to complete your practicum in another state; however it does require extra work and planning to ensure that the practicum site and supervisor meets our practicum requirements.
Does the program arrange for the practicum placements?
Program faculty help mentor and facilitate the practicum placement process, however students are required to actively pursue particular sites they desire. All practicums must be approved by the Practicum Coordinator.
What is the average starting salary of a librarian?
The American Library Association's (ALA) website has a wonderful website that http://www.ala.org/ala/hrdr/librarycareerssite/home.htm that provides information about salaries. This site states that "The average starting salary for a full-time new librarian was $37,975 in 2003, with the average for all librarians at $43,090 for 2002."