Frequently Asked Questions
Programs and Admissions
- What degrees are offered?
- What are the program requirements?
- How do I apply to the MLIS program?
- How important are the GRE scores?
- What GRE score would guarantee program admission?
- What is the status of my LIS application?
- Can I get my degree on-line?
- How long does the program take?
- When do I apply to graduate?
School Media and Licensure Questions
- How do I become licensed as a school media specialist?
- When do I take the PRAXIS exam?
- How do I prepare for the PRAXIS exam?
- How do I apply for a teacher's license for a school media specialist?
- What are the requirements for the MLIS, School Media Specialist?
- What if I do not have an education degree? Can I still be a school library media specialist?
- What is involved in a school library media practicum?
Visions Program
Form Inquiries
Student Advisement
- How do I contact a professor in the department?
- What classes are being offered next term?
- How do I register for classes?
- Where can I find the 3 year course plan?
Financial Aid Inquiries
Information Technology
- How do I set up a UNCG e-mail account?
- How do I access online library resources for UNCG?
- How do I get access to Blackboard?
Programs and Admissions
ANSWER: The LIS Department at UNCG offers the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree. Within this degree, a student can choose to specialize in a particular area, such as academic libraries, special Libraries, public libraries, etc.
The department also offers the MLIS with a specialization in school library media that can qualify a graduate for North Carolina State Licensure through the NC Department of Public Instruction.
What are the program requirements?
ANSWER : The MLIS program requires thirty-six semester hours of course work of which fifteen hours are core courses (LIS 600, 615, 620, 640, 650) and a final one hour course (LIS 698) in which the student completes a professional portfolio. It is strongly recommended that LIS 600 be taken in the first semester of the program and the remaining core requirements be taken as early as possible in the MLIS program. The Capstone portfolio (LIS 698) is usually taken in the last semester of course work.
How do I apply to the MLIS program?
ANSWER: Application forms and directions are available in the Admissions section of the LIS website and from the Graduate School. The application process requires application to the Graduate School at UNCG, two copies of all post-secondary academic work, the scores from the Graduate Record Exam, and three letters of recommendation. The department additionally requires submission of the Technology Competencies Checklist, a current resume, and a statement from the applicant addressing the reasons for the decision to work toward the MLIS degree. The process does not begin until all elements of a complete application are forwarded to the department and to the Admissions Committee.
How important are the GRE scores?
ANSWER: The scores earned on the Graduate Record Exam (general exam) are very important in the decisions of the LIS Admissions Committee in admitting a student to the program. They are, however, only one of the elements considered in the evaluation of the prospective student's record. Other factors given consideration by the Admissions Committee are the undergraduate grade point average, the statement of intent, the letters of recommendation, and the resume submitted by the applicant to the department. Information about the GRE dates and applications for the GRE are available at the GRE official site.
What GRE score would guarantee program admission?
ANSWER: In general, the Admissions Committee looks for a score of 500 on each of the verbal and quantitative portions of the general GRE exam. However, there is no minimum score established for admission to the MLIS program. Average GRE scores for students accepted into the program in the past few years are approximately 550 on each portion. The Admissions Committee considers the whole of the prospective student's record in making admissions decisions.
What is the status of my LIS application?
ANSWER: If you have submitted an application electronically, you can check the status of that application. To begin, sign back into the same web page that you used to apply. The application you submitted is available for browsing during the UNCG Graduate School Application Process. For more information, visit Check Your Application Status.
ANSWER: The Department of Library and Information Studies does have some courses available on-line and others in configurations in which web-base instruction is supplemented by other forms, but has no plans to move to a totally on-line program.
How long does the program take?
ANSWER: The MLIS degree can be earned in thirty-six semester hours. The length of time it would take a student to complete the requirements will depend on the number of hours the student is willing to take in any given term. Typically, UNCG students in Greensboro and at the distance sites progress through the MLIS program on a part-time basis and the degree will take two to three years of part time work to complete. The Graduate School at UNCG imposes a five year limit on courses that apply toward a graduate degree. This five year term begins with the first course the student takes that is to be applied to the MLIS degree.
ANSWER: The application for graduation must be received by the end of the first week of classes of the term in which the degree will be granted. Click here for the Application for Graduation.
School Media and Licensure Questions
How do I become licensed as a school media specialist?
ANSWER: In North Carolina, school library media coordinators (076 licensure) are required to hold a Master of Library Science Degree or its equivalent from a program recognized by the NC Department of Public Instruction, along with specific coursework required for the license. School media licensure candidates have a full program of study that only allows room for 5 credits of electives. Click here for the Plan of Study. A practicum is required at the end of the program of study, along with successful completion of the PRAXIS exam.
When do I take the PRAXIS exam?
ANSWER : The Praxis Library Media Specialty Exam (10310) should be taken during the Practicum Semester. Information regarding test dates and locations can be found at the PRAXIS official site. Note that 076 licensure candidates need only take PRAXIS II 10310, not the PRAXIS I test.
How do I prepare for the PRAXIS exam?
ANSWER: You should prepare for the PRAXIS by reviewing your notes and readings from LIS 653, LIS 635, and other courses. You are well prepared for this exam after completing the UNCG program. Our mean scores are well above the passing rate of 610. No UNCG LIS graduate has ever failed the PRAXIS exam.
How do I apply for a teacher's license for a school media specialist?
ANSWER: During the practicum semester, information will be disseminated about the teacher licensure process. Near the end of the semester, candidates should request an application for teacher licensure from the UNCG Teacher's Academy.
With the application, you must submit copies of all transcripts, along with copies of any previous teacher licenses, a copy of the PRAXIS exam score, and a copy of the completed plan of study. The Teacher's Academy then sends the completed paperwork to the UNCG LIS Coordinator of School Library Media for approval, who then sends it to the NC Department of Public Instruction.
What are the requirements for the MLIS, School Media Specialist?
ANSWER: Students wishing to obtain school library media coordinator licensure (076) along with the MLIS degree should work carefully with their advisor to develop a plan of study. There are only 5 credits of electives within the 36-credit program for school library media students.
What if I do not have an education degree? Can I still be a school library media specialist?
ANSWER: Licensure candidates without a valid North Carolina Teaching license will need additional coursework, and an additional practicum. More information is available from the UNCG Teachers Academy.
What is involved in a school library media practicum?
ANSWER: Practicum for school library media is evolving. Currently, school library media students work with their advisor and the practicum supervisor to design a practicum that meets licensure requirements. This planning process should occur the semester before the practicum is scheduled. It is possible to do a practicum "on the job" if one is working as a school media specialist. Summer practica are also possible at times. Regardless, it is crucial that the practicum student, advisor, and practicum supervisor work to design the best practicum for a particular situation.
Visions Program
ANSWER: Visions is a program offered to visiting and non-degree students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Prospective Visions students may want to take one or more courses for a variety of reasons including personal enrichment, professional knowledge, or renewal of teacher licensure. Visions permits students to register for classes without being admitted to a particular program of study. Up to nine hours of appropriate courses taken through Visions may be applied to the MLIS degree program on admission.
Visions students are not admitted to the University, The Graduate School, or to a specific degree or certificate program. However, credits earned at UNCG through Visions are recorded in the University Registrar’s Office on an official transcript.
Financial Aid Inquiries
ANSWER: The Department of Library and Information Studies usually has a few Graduate Assistantships in the department available each fall. These carry a stipend for twenty hours a week working for the LIS offices, on research projects undertaken by members of the faculty, or in the LIS computer laboratory. These graduate assistantships may carry out-of-state and in-state tuition waivers. The deadline for application to these is March 31st for the following fall. While every effort is made to find financial resources to carry students through a second year of study, these assistantships are only available for one academic year of work (i.e. fall and spring semesters). There are also several scholarships offered by the LIS Department and the School of Education. Organizations and library associations are also good sources of financial assistance. Please see the Financial Aid section of this website for more detailed information.
Forms
Answer: To find various forms that you may need for admission or throughout the LIS program, visit the Forms page.Student Advisement
How do I contact a professor in the department?
ANSWER:Email is the best way to contact most professors. Email and contact information can be found under Faculty & Staff section of the website.
How do I register for classes?
ANSWER: Before students can register for classes, they must meet with their advisor to go over their Plan of Study and to obtain their advising code. You can only register for classes after specific dates each semester. To find out more about registration and when you can register, visit the University Registrar’s Office.
Students accepted into the program are notified about their advisor in their acceptance letter. Visions students should are not assigned advisors and should contact the LIS office for answers to questions.
Where can I find the 3 year course plan?
ANSWER: Visit LIS Three Year Plan 2008 to 2011 to find the predicted courses for the next three years.
What classes are being offered next term?
ANSWER : The official class schedule for the semester can be found on UNCGenie.
Inquiries about Information Technology
How do I set up a UNCG E mail account?
ANSWER: For information about how to set up your UNCG e-mail, visit 6-TECH Online, the official website for Information Technology Services at UNCG.
How do I access online library resources for UNCG?
ANSWER: Visit the University Libraries website to access the library catalog, databases, Journal Finder, and other resources.
How do I get access to Blackboard?
ANSWER: To access Blackboard, use your Novell Username and Password. For more information on using Blackboard, visit Blackboard Support.
