Program Components

Thesis Option

Students electing the thesis option will write a master’s thesis under close supervision of a thesis committee. All thesis option students must take IS 540—Research Methods—unless they have already successfully completed a thesis or dissertation in another discipline or have completed an equivalent course.

Six hours of Thesis, IS 500, must be taken within the 42 hours required for graduation. (Students may register for more than 6 hours of IS 500, but only 6 hours will count towards graduation.) Students must be registered for IS 500 in the semester they complete and defend their thesis. The oral defense of the thesis, which is the final comprehensive examination, substitutes for the written examination that is taken by non-thesis students.

More information on the thesis

Non-Thesis Option

Upon completion of the program, all students who elect the non-thesis option must take and pass a written comprehensive examination.

Comprehensive Examination

A written comprehensive examination is required of M.S. degree candidates who elect the non-thesis option. The four-hour comprehensive examination is designed to integrate and focus knowledge gained from courses and professional reading. Questions asked reflect broad educational experiences and encourage the student to integrate knowledge.

More information on the comphensive exam

Practicum

The practicum, IS 599, is
available to students who can show that a particular work experience will be an integral part of their program of study. It is open to students who choose a career goal for which little or no formal coursework exists and for those who wish to gain experience to augment formal coursework.

The practicum may emphasize a particular type of service offered by a library or other information agency or it may provide experience in a variety of services offered by such agencies. The student then works with seasoned information professionals to gain hands-on experience.

Eligibility for a practicum experience requires a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average at the time of application, and students should apply the semester prior to the proposed practicum. Students must also have completed the required courses relevant to the practicum. A 3-hour credit practicum requires work experience of 150 hours (an average of 10 hours per week in a 15-week semester). On recommendation of the practicum coordinator and after consultation with the advisor, a 3-hour practicum may be repeated concurrently or in a subsequent semester. Students may take a maximum of 6 hours practicum credit.

The following restrictions apply:

(1) a student may not be paid for a practicum experience,

(2) a student normally cannot be involved in a practicum in an information agency in which he or she is or has been employed unless the practicum experience is planned for a different department within the agency,

(3) a student who is concurrently working for teacher certification may not substitute the practicum for student teaching, and

(4) a student cannot undertake a practicum for more than 3 hours of credit if he/she is employed more than 20 hours per week.

A student interested in the practicum experience must discuss the possibility with his or her advisor. The student should then contact the SIS practicum coordinator to discuss the feasibility of a practicum experience and to develop a practicum proposal. The student must write a proposal that is approved in writing by the advisor and the practicum coordinator.

Information concerning the practicum is available from Dr. J. Michael Pemberton at (865) 974–6509. For information about School Media practicums, contact Marion Vose, at (865) 681–6298. See also IS 595: Student Teaching in School Library Information Center, and IS 596: Field-Based Experience in School Library Information Centers.

Downloads: Practicum Application (PDF)

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Independent Study

Students are encouraged to develop research competencies through directed independent study. IS 593, Independent Study, offers such in-depth study with a member of the faculty who has the necessary subject expertise to direct the study. You may consult a faculty member concerning the possibility of an independent study or you may consult your advisor for suggestions for faculty support of a proposed study. A written proposal for the study is required, and the proposal must be approved by your advisor the semester prior to enrollment in IS 593.

Other possibilities for independent and small group study include IS 590: Problems in Information Sciences; IS 591: Supervised Readings in Information Sciences; IS 592: Seminar in Information Sciences; and IS 594: Graduate Research Participation. Each of these courses requires the consent of the instructor when offered in the timetable of classes with a specific topic and instructor. After consulting with your advisor, you may petition a member of the faculty for a plan for supervised readings that would enhance your program of study. Again, the plan must be approved the semester prior to enrollment in the course.

A total of 6 hours credit for any combination of IS 591, IS 593, or IS 594 is allowable in the 42-hour degree program. Each course may be repeated once. For example, a student might take 3 hours of IS 591 and 3 hours of IS 594, or 6 hours of IS 593.

A total of 6 hours credit for IS 590 or a total of 6 hours credit for IS 591 or a combination of 3 hours credit for each IS 590/591 is allowable in the 42-hour degree program.

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