FrequentlyAsked Questions [ Printer friendly version ]
Admissions | Programs | DistanceLearning | Additional Questions
1. Can I start the MLIS right away? You must apply to the graduate program and to the School of Library and Information Science. Admission is NOT automatic.
Graduate Admission Procedure
Applicants must submit the appropriate materials to the Office of Graduate Studies and to the School of Library and Information Science. Applicants must apply to departments separately.The following application materials are to be sent to The University of Southern Mississippi's Office of Graduate Admissions (118 College Drive #10066, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001). Admission is NOT automatic.
- Graduate application form. The form may be filled out online or you may download the form and fax or mail materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate colleges or universities attended. You must have completed your undergraduate degree.
- Official reports of test scores. An official copy of your GRE scores must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. You must submit scores for all three sections: verbal, quantitative, and writing.
- Application fee of $25.
The following application materials are to be sent to the School of Library and Information Science (118 College Drive # 5146, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001). Admission is NOT automatic.
- Three sealed letters of recommendation. Even if you have applied to the Office of Graduate Admissions online, you are still required to download a Letter of Recommendation form to supply each of your evaluators (a minimum of three.)
- SLIS Student Questionnaire. (departmental application form and an opportunity to inform the department of your interest in an assistantship)
- Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
- Letter of Application. The letter should address your interest in librarianship and any qualities you possess that you believe would make you an attribute to the program.
2. Where can I find information about taking the GRE? To be considered for admission in the School of Library and Information Science and the Office of Graduate Studies of The University of Southern Mississippi, you must submit GRE scores. You must take all three parts: verbal, quantitative, and writing. If you have never taken the GRE or would like to retake the GRE, you can visit the GRE Web site.
3. If I have already taken the GRE, do I have to take it again? If you have previously taken the GRE, you may ask that the scores be sent to The University of Southern Mississippi, or you may choose to retake the GRE and have the new scores sent to Southern Miss. If you would like to have your scores sent to The University of Southern Mississippi call the GRE testing center at 1-888-473-7267.
4. If I already have a doctorate or a master's degree, do I still have to have GRE scores? To be considered for admission to the graduate program and to the School of Library and Information Science, you must submit GRE scores.
5. Is admission to the MLIS dependent upon GRE scores; can the GRE be waived? Any applicant to the SLIS program must have their GRE scores on record with the Office of Graduate Admissions; and no, the GRE cannot be waived. For requirements, you can visit the SLIS Web site .
6. Ok, I've turned in all of my information, now what do I do? Your application will be reviewed by the admissions committee AFTER all your application materials are received in the school. You must comply with application deadlines posted on the SLIS Web site. If you are admitted, you will be notified by letter of your admission to the program, your adviser, and your starting semester.
Admissions | Programs | Distance Learning | Additional Questions |
7. Is the MLIS Program offered at your institution accredited? We offer a Master of Library and Information Science degree accredited by the American Library Association.
8. What programs are offered at your institution? We offer:
Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Science
Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Science with SchoolLibrary Media Licensure
Master of Library and Information Science
Master of Library and Information Science with School LibraryMedia Licensure (AA level)
Specialist in Library and Information Science
Specialist in Library and Information Science with School LibraryMedia Licensure (AAA level)
Supplemental endorsement (A level) for Library Media added to an existing teaching certificate
Dual Master of History and Library and Information Science
Dual Master of Anthropology and Library and Information Science
Dual Master of Political Science and Library and Information Science.All School endorsement and certification programs, except the bachelor's, require a pre-existing teaching certificate in an area.
Only endorsement courses and master's courses are available online. LIS does not offer the undergraduate degree online. In dual programs only the MLIS is available online.
9. How many hours are required for the master's degree? If you seek only an MLIS, you must complete 39 credit hours, twenty-one (21) hours of required courses, fifteen (15) hours of electives and a three-hour master's project. If you also seek a School Library Media Specialist endorsement, it will take 42 to 47 or more hours.
10. What is your cost of attendance (tuition)? For most current costs, check the Business Services web pages. Tuition and fee costs may change over time without notice. The LIS online fee is $50 per course. Currently, if you take 8 hours or less of online courses per semester, you do not have to pay the out-of-state tuition fee. If you take 9 hours or more of online courses you do have to pay the out-of-state tuition fee.
Students are responsible for books, supplies, room, and board. For additional information about current tuition rates, please contact Business Services, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5133, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001, or 601-266-4137. For additional information about the MLIS programs, visit the SLIS Web site .
11. Does the program only start in the fall, or is it possible to enroll in the spring or summer? At this time, you may apply during fall, spring or summer. However, we do have a limited number of seats available and have set admission deadlines. Submitting an application does not guarantee admission.
12. Do you have a hard-copy catalogue? You may request a hard-copy catalogue from the Office of Graduate Studies .
13. I would like some information on the twenty-one-hour (21) endorsement program for the school library media specialist program.
What do I need to do? If you are seeking an undergraduate level endorsement and you are enrolled in our undergraduate program you should contact your adviser. If you are not officially enrolled as a LIS major at The University of Southern Mississippi in our undergraduate program, then you must first apply to the university's Admissions Office. Complete the Undergraduate Non Degree Enrollment Form and submit it via fax or U.S. Postal Service to the School of Library and Information Science. Completing and submitting the form does not guarantee your admission to the endorsement courses. You will be contacted by the school upon receipt of the application form.
Are there any requirements that I need to get in to the endorsement program? If you are seeking school library media endorsement in Mississippi, you must have an undergraduate teaching certification/license. You will have to submit proof of the license/certificate and your undergraduate degree. You need to complete a School of Library and Information Science student questionnaire. Obtaining an endorsement does not award a teaching license. These requirements apply to Mississippi requirements. Requirements in other states may differ. Contact your state Department of Education.
Do I need to send official transcripts? You will have to submit official transcripts and the School of Library and Information Science student questionnaire and other materials depending on whether you are seeking an endorsement at an undergraduate level; the graduate level endorsements require proof of graduate status.
What level is the supplemental endorsement? The supplemental endorsement is only an A level.
What if I am not a resident of Mississippi? Several states accept Mississippi School Library Media Specialist Endorsement. However, it is the responsibility of the student to communicate with the appropriate state agency in the state they wish to use the endorsement to determine if the Mississippi endorsement will satisfy their state's requirements. We cannot guarantee that the Mississippi endorsement will satisfy your state's requirements.
14. Where do I go to find information about your dual-degree programs in MLIS/MA with Anthropology, MLIS/MA with History, and MLIS/MA withPolitical Science?
Consult the most recent Graduate Bulletin for The University of Southern Mississippi. Note: only the MLIS portion of the dual degree is available online.
Admissions | Programs | Distance Learning | Additional Questions |
15. Is the Master's of Library and Information Science program available completely online? It is possible to complete the MLIS online. The required courses and a number of elective courses are made available in rotation. All the courses are NOT offered online every semester. Courses are offered in a semester format, and start and end with the normal Southern Miss semester. It will take longer to complete the MLIS entirely online than on campus. All online courses require real-time chat participation. We cannot currently accommodate students outside of the Western Hemisphere. For more information, please visit us at the SLIS Web site .
16. What other programs do you offer Online? The School of Library and Information Science offers the MLIS program and the School Library Media Specialist Supplemental Endorsement program completely online. We do not offer an entirely online bachelor's degree, though some courses are offered via the Web.
17. What is the difference between the length of the program for on-campus classes and the length of the program for completely online classes? A full-time (12 credit hours) on-campus student may complete the program, excluding the master's project, in one year of continuous enrollment. The online offerings were designed for part-time students. Many courses rotate through the online system, though they are not offered online every semester. A student taking only online classes may complete the program, excluding the master's project, in approximately two years of continuous enrollment taking 2 classes per semester.
18. Do I have to attend the Hattiesburg campus to fulfill my requirements for the online MLIS program? The School of Library and Information Science does not currently require any on-site attendance to fulfill requirements to receive an MLIS online.
19. Are all distance learning programs offered online or via satellite? Currently, the School of Library and Information Science offers four forms of instructional delivery. Those are face-to-face instruction, Internet-based course work, hybrid modes, which involve more than one way of instructional delivery, and interactive video. For information on course offerings, please visit our Web page about SLIS Courses . All formats operate within the Southern Miss semester schedule.
20. How do I obtain more information about your distance learning programs? Visit the SLIS home page and the home page of the Office of GraduateStudies.
Admissions | Programs | Distance Learning | Additional Questions |
21. Will you consider accepting any courses from my previous master's program? We will not accept credits used to obtain another degree. You may request to transfer a maximum of 6 graduate credit hours from another accredited institution that have NOT been used to obtain another degree. Each transfer decision is individual. Do not assume a course will transfer. You will need to provide the syllabus for the course(s) that you are requesting a transfer.
22. Can I get my master's degree in Library Science if I received my bachelor's in another discipline? Yes, you can get your MLIS while having your undergraduate degree in another area.
23. Will I be guaranteed a seat in the class of my choice each semester if I enroll as a graduate student? There are a limited number of seats available. While we strive to ensure every student has access to the courses they desire when they desire them, it is not possible to guarantee a seat in a specific semester for a specific course. Working with your faculty adviser will aid you in getting the classes you need in a workable order and reasonable time frame.
24. Can I obtain my bachelor's in library science online? We do not offer an entirely online bachelor's degree.
25. Can I enroll for courses even if I am not interested in obtaining a master's degree at The University of Southern Mississippi? We have limited seats and must serve the students formally admitted and enrolled in our master's and endorsement programs and if seats are still available then we accept Non Degree applications for those not seeking a degree.
26. How many classes can I take at a time? We rotate the online courses in the schedule, which may limit how many courses are available online at a given time. We recommend taking no more than two courses at a time.
27. How long will it take me to complete the MLIS degree if I only take two classes at a time? You will need to complete 39 credit hours, 21 hours of required courses, 15 hours of electives and the three-hour master's project. If you attend all three semesters, fall, spring and summer, you could finish 18 hours in one year. This would total two years and one semester (for your master's project). It will take longer to complete an MLIS with School Library Media Licensure.
28. How come your class size is limited, I thought online courses could handle thousands of students? Our classes involve students with faculty. There are weekly real-time chats, discussion board assignments, reading and writing assignments, basically a class taught in cyberspace. In order to properly serve our students, we limit the number of seats in our classes to ensure the faculty member can interact appropriately with the students. These are not correspondence courses. They are semester-length courses taught within a typical semester structure. The courses are NOT "come when you please and do what you like." If you are looking for a grade for enrolling, then do not apply to Southern Miss. You will have to earn a grade. It will require long hours on your part, just like face-to-face graduate classes.
29. Applications completed online ask for a proposed major, but the 21-hour certification program is not listed as a major, so what do I need to put in this field? LIS
30. I just want to take a couple of courses to see if this is what I want to do. Can I do that? We have had an overwhelming response to our online programs. We are committed to serving the students who are enrolled in our master's or endorsement programs. It is unlikely we would have seats available in online sections for people who are not in our programs.
31. What if I cannot find the answer to my question here? Please consult The University of Southern Mississippi Web pages , the Office of Graduate Studies Web pages or the SLIS Web pages . If you still have questions, please e-mail us at slis@usm.edu.
32. What are the technology requirements for the MLIS program? For a list of computer competencies required to begin taking courses in the School of Library and Information Science, please see the computer competencies Web page. The student is responsible for obtaining appropriate computer access to the Internet. Your computer is like your car, it is how you get to class. We are not responsible for your computer. If you do not have reliable access to a computer you will not be able to participate in classes and should not enroll.
