MLIS Culminating Experience Options: Portfolio

There are two portfolio options for MLIS students, depending on their start in the MLIS program.


Professional Portfolio (LIS 596):

Professional Portfolio is a 3-credit online course (LIS 596).  Beginning in winter 2010, LIS 596 will be offered every fall, winter, spring and summer quarter.  MLIS students who have completed at least 30 credits in the MLIS program may register for the course; there is no requirement to wait until the final quarter in the program.  During the class students will pull from their Digital Repository, which is developed during their studies here in the iSchool, to build a Presentation Portfolio.  The outcomes of LIS 596 focus on professional qualification. 

iPortfolio Listserv
All students are encouraged to join the MLIS portfolio listserv at the start of their program.  This listserv allows for conversation around the Professional Portfolio and preparation process (the Digital Repository), as well as basic information on how to create a portfolio for one's own personal development.  All first year students and those enrolled in LIS 596 will automatically be subscribed; all other students who haven't been automatically subscribed are encouraged to subscribe themselves.  This is an unmoderated listserv - simply send an email to iPortfolio@uw.edu with any questions, comments, or to join in on a conversation.

LIS 596 Course Website
There are two layers to the LIS 596, Professional Portfolio, course website: a public view and a class-only view.

LIS 596 Public View: All students, no matter if they are enrolled in LIS 596, are welcome to visit the public view of the LIS 596 course website.  There are a number of professional development resources that will benefit all who visit this site, including:

  • Development of a portfolio: ranging from information on setting up your own Digital Repository, to portfolio design and development tools, to the purpose of a professional portfolio.
  • Professional development: listen to voices from the field, an ongoing ongoing series of digital recordings of interviews with significant LIS professionals that explore professional compentencies in various LIS contexts and what those in positions of influence expect of newly minted LIS professionals as they enter their first professional positions.

LIS 596 Class-Only View: Students enrolled in the Professional Portfolio course (LIS 596) will be given access to the course website by the start of the quarter in which they are enrolled in the course.  Information in the class-only view will guide students through the development of their professional portfolio and progress through the class.


Legacy Portfolio:

The Legacy Portfolio has previously been the main Culminating Experience option for MLIS students (in addition to the Thesis, which is less pursued).  With the addition of the new Culminating Experience options beginning in 2010, the Legacy Portfolio is being phased out--thus the characterization as "legacy".  Students who matriculated in the MLIS program starting in fall 2008 or earlier have a choice: they may still pursue the Legacy Portfolio or may choose one of the new Culminating Experience options.  Students who matriculate in the MLIS program starting in fall 2009 or later do not have the option of pursuing the Legacy Portfolio.

The Legacy Portfolio is 0 credits with no course association, and the review of the Legacy Portfolio is done by the student's faculty advisor and a randomly assigned second faculty reader.

Review the Legacy Portfolio Overview and Submission Form document for details on submission deadlines, guidelines, FAQ's, advice, and sample portfolios.  In addition, the Submission Form is found on the last page of this document.

Questions on the Legacy Portfolio may be directed to the MLIS Academic Advisor or the student's assigned Faculty Advisor.  Questions on the Professional Portfolio (LIS 596) may be directed to the MLIS Academic Advisor or the LIS 596 instructors.