Department of Library and Information Science
| Professor Emerita |
Ingrid Hsieh-Yee |
| Associate Professors |
Sue Yeon Syn |
Faculty advisor: Dr. Sue Yeon Syn (syn@cua.edu).
The Catholic University of America Library and Information Science community connects emerging information professionals with innovative leaders in the information field. Our students apply classroom concepts in real-world applications and are equipped with the skills needed to succeed as professional leaders. Through our strong ethical training and work with local Catholic organizations, our students graduate committed to service and the philosophy, principles and legal and ethical responsibilities of the field.
The Department of Library and Information Science offers several 300 and 400 level courses for undergraduates. Courses at the 500 and 600 levels are also open to undergraduates at The Catholic University of America, while fulfilling undergraduate degree requirements. (For 500 and 600 level courses, students must obtain the permission of their advisers as well as the chair of Library and Information Science.)
4+1 Bachelor to Master of Science in Library and Information Science (M.S.L.I.S.) Program
The 4+1 Bachelor to Master of Science in Library and Information Science (M.S.L.I.S.) Program is designed for undergraduate students to begin working towards a master’s degree in library and information science while completing their bachelor’s degree. Students in this program will take four, 3-credit, 500-level graduate library and information science courses during their undergraduate career and count those 12 credits toward the bachelor’s degree and the M.S.L.I.S. degree. The M.S.L.I.S. program requires a total of 36 credits, so only 24 more credits (8 LIS courses) will be needed at the graduate level to earn the M.S.L.I.S. degree. These eight courses can be completed in one year and cover a variety of disciplines within library science, such as Cultural Heritage, Law Librarianship, and more. The program is open to juniors and seniors of all majors.
A minimum cumulative Catholic University grade point average of at least 3.5 is required for admission to the accelerated M.S.L.I.S. program. The application for the B.A./M.S.L.I.S. (B.S./M.S.L.I.S.) program should be filed by the end of the sophomore year and requires approvals of the department chair, the associate dean of graduate programs, and the associate dean for undergraduate programs. This application must include a list, compiled with the major department, of a maximum of four courses that may be taken for both undergraduate and graduate credit. The application for graduate studies should be filed during the fall of the senior year and requires the same procedure required of regular graduate applicants with the exception of letters of recommendation (which are waived) and GRE results (which are waived).
Minor in Information Technology
The requirements for the minor can be found at Information Technology - Minor
Information technology forms an essential infrastructure for work in all academic disciplines and professional fields, as well as daily life. The Minor in Information Technology will help students develop an understanding of the concepts surrounding these systems. The minor in information technology requires six courses. One is required, and eight additional electives are offered, of which the student must complete five. The courses are designed to introduce systems thinking, explore the role of information and communications technologies in contemporary society, and add depth to understanding by enabling students to experience the application of technologies to societal and organizational problems.
Note: Students may substitute one course with permission of their major academic advisor and the IT minor faculty advisor.