Interested in Online ALA-accredited MLIS Degree? If so, check out information on the MLIS degree program at the University of Southern Mississippi.

1. Interested in an Online
ALA-accredited MLIS Degree?
Dr. Teresa S. Welsh
www.usm.edu/slis

2. Why earn MLIS degree?
 MLIS degree from ALA-accredited program ‘gold
standard’ for library/archival profession
 MLIS increases professional opportunities
 Public librarian
 School librarian
 Academic librarian
 Special librarian
 Archivist/Special Collections librarian
 MLIS students come from a variety of academic and
professional backgrounds.
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3. Why choose Southern Miss SLIS?
 Accredited by American Library Association since
1980; re-accredited in 2019 for max 7 years
 Only ALA-accredited program in state; assigned LIS
leadership status by Institution of Higher Learning
 Accredited by Council for Accreditation of Education
Preparation (CAEP)
 Rated USM top-tier program
 Award-winning faculty; distinguished
alums.
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4. What is unique about SLIS?
 No rigid cohorts; no out-of-state fees
 Classes meet each week in live, virtual classrooms
 British Studies each summer in London
 Children’s Book Festival in spring
 Variety of core courses, electives
offered each semester
 Personal attention from faculty,
staff, GAs.
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5. What are the program options?
 MLIS degree w/choice of 5 electives
 Graduate Certificates (12 credit hrs can count
for both MLIS and certificate if earned
together)
 Grad Certificate in Archives & Special Collections
 Grad Certificate in Youth Services & Literature
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6. What are admission requirements?
 Online application form, resume, official transcript(s)
 GRE OR Miller Analogies Test scores
 GRE waiver in 2021 due to COVID
 3 letters of recommendation
 Statement of purpose (750 - 1,000 words) essay on why
interested in MLIS degree and areas of interest
 Proof of MMR immunity
 Immunization record or blood test showing MMR immunity
 Waiver if residence is out of state.
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www.usm.edu/graduate-school
How do I apply?

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How do I apply?
www.usm.edu/graduate-school/step-step-guide-applying-graduate-study

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What happens next?
 When application is complete and fee paid ($60)….
 Graduate School reviews it…then sends to
 SLIS Admissions Committee for review
 2.75 - 4.0 GPA on last 60 hrs = regular admit
 2.0 - <2.75 GPA = conditional admit
 Committee considers total application:
 GRE/MAT scores
 Letters of recommendation, resume, essay.
 Director reviews, submits recommendation.

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What are the deadlines?
 SLIS has rolling applications… we review applications
up until beginning of semester
 Graduate School closes application portal about 10 days
before the new semester…. but
 Applicants who have application in progress are allowed
to complete it
 Applicants may apply as non-degree and earn up to 12
credit hours that can be applied to degree
 SLIS accepts new students in fall, spring, summer.
www.usm.edu/graduate-school/step-step-guide-applying-graduate-study

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What course(s) should I take?
 LIS 500 – Intro to LIS (1 credit hr, 1st 8 wks)
 Core course such as LIS 501: Reference, 505:
Cataloging, 511: Collection Development, 605:
Library Management, or 636: LIS Foundations
 and/or… an elective of interest
 Students encouraged to look at electives offered
first – then core courses.
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12. How to keep up w/SLIS news?
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Social Media
 Facebook: facebook.com/School-of-Library-and-
Information-Science-at-Southern-Miss
 Twitter: twitter.com/usmslis
LinkedIn: Southern Miss School of Library &
Information Science
YouTube Channel: SLIS at Southern Miss

13. Read SLIS Connecting
Open-access e-journal
indexed in DOAJ, Ulriches
Directory, Google Scholar
Published each spring &
fall, downloaded more than
100,000x
3 or more refereed student
research papers
Updates on program,
classes, students, alums,
faculty.
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Questions?
Visit www.usm.edu/slis
or e-mail
teresa.welsh@usm.edu
SLIS Admin Team: Adrienne, Dr. Welsh, Karen