MLIS Degree Planning

 
 
To aid in the planning of degree programs, we have created recommended course plans for the completion of MLIS core courses. Also take note of the following:
 
  • Complete your core early in the program according to the specific degree plan outlined below (completing core within the first year/year and a half, never waiting until the final quarter in the program).
  • Information technology core are the only core with flexibility on when you can take it; however do not leave this core course for your final quarter in the program. Online students should complete their info tech core course prior to the end of their second year in the program. 
  • When your schedule is not filled up with core courses, you should be working on fulfilling elective requirements.
  • We do not guarantee spots in courses; all students should be diligent in registration. 
  • Following your course plan will increase the likelihood that you will graduate on time for your program mode.
  • Diverging from your course plan is not recommended and highly discouraged.  If at any point you do have to diverge from this course plan, it is up to you to design your own alternative plan.
  • Information on when registration begins each quarter may be found in the UW Academic Calendar. Click on the appropriate year, then refer to the Period I, II, and III registration dates.
 

Residential MLIS Degree Plan:

It typically takes two calendar years to complete the Residential MLIS degree. The average course load per quarter is three to four classes (average of 10 credits per quarter). 

Quarter
1st Year Residential
2nd Year Residential
Autumn
LIS 500, 510, 520
LIS 580
Your choice of info tech core and/or electives
Winter
LIS 530, 550
Your choice of info tech core or an elective
Your choice of info tech core and/or electives
Spring
LIS 560, 570
Your choice of info tech core or an elective
Your choice of electives
Summer
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings

  

Online MLIS Degree Plan:

It typicallytakes three calendar years to complete the Online MLIS degree. The average course load per quarter is two to three classes (average of 8 credits per quarter). 

Quarter
1st Year Online
2nd Year Online
3rd Year Online
Autumn
LIS 500, 510
Your choice of info tech prep courses (as your schedule allows)
LIS 570
Your choice of info tech core or an elective
Your choice of electives
Winter
LIS 520, 560
Your choice of info tech prep courses (as your schedule allows)
LIS 580
Your choice of info tech core or an elective
Your choice of electives
Spring
LIS 530, 550
Your choice of info tech prep courses (as your schedule allows)
Your choice of info tech core and/or electives
Your choice of electives
Summer
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings

*Online MLIS students are required to have completed the info tech core requirements by the end of the 2nd year in the program.
**If you are trying to complete the Online MLIS program in less than 3 years, you must still complete the core as outlined above, and should plan on taking additional electives each quarter.



Residential MLIS – Tuition Exempt Degree Plan:

It typicallytakes three calendar years for students using tuition-exemption to complete the Residential MLIS degree. The average course load per quarter is two classes. 

Quarter
1st Year Tuition Exempt
2nd Year Tuition Exempt
3rd Year Tuition Exempt
Autumn
LIS 500, 510
 
LIS 520, 580
Your choice of electives
Winter
LIS 530, 550
Your choice of info tech core and/or electives
Your choice of electives
Spring
LIS 560, 570
Your choice of info tech core and/or electives
Your choice of electives
Summer
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings

 

Law MLIS Degree Plan:

It typicallytakes four quarters (one calendar year) to complete the Law MLIS degree. The average course load per quarter is approximately 12 credits per quarter. 
 
  • Note that LIS 595 is taken each autumn, winter, and spring quarter. You will register for a total of 4 LIS 595 credits = 1 credit in the fall, 1 credit in the winter, and 4 credits in the spring. However you will only receive 4 credits for the course: in fall and winter you'll receive an "X" grade, and if you pass the course you'll receive 4 credits in the spring.
  • For the information technology core requirement, Law MLIS students are slated to take LIS 587 during spring quarter. Law MLIS students are also welcome to take any of the other information technology core courses available from the Information School. 
Quarter
1st Year Law Librarianship  (note all are required in this sequence)
Autumn
LIS 500, 510, 520, 591, 595
Winter
LIS 530, 550, 592, 595
Spring
LIS 587, 593, 595
Summer
LIS 594, 590
 


School Library Media Endorsement

MLIS degree seeking students who are interested in pursuing careers as teacher librarians typically fall into one of three categories: MLIS students who have a teaching certificate, MLIS students who do not have a teaching certificate but plan to get one in the future, MLIS students who do not have a teaching certificate and do not plan to get one in the future. An outline of specific courses required/suggested is found online. Note that students seeking the library media endorsement are required to complete a Directed Fieldwork (LIS 590) practicum course in a K-12 school library. Suggested degree plans (core and electives) for those pursuing library media coursework are as follows:

Residential MLIS – School Library Media Endorsement Degree Plan:

Quarter
1st Year Residential - SLM
2nd Year Residential - SLM
Autumn
LIS 500, 510, 520
LIS 580, 522, 561
Winter
LIS 530, 550
Your choice of info tech core or an elective
LIS 585 and an info tech core (if you have yet to finish it) or LIS 590 (DFW) or an elective
Spring
LIS 560, 570, 565
LIS 566, 568, and an elective or LIS 590 (DFW) if not completed yet
Summer
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings

  

Online MLIS – School Library Media Endorsement Degree Plan:

Quarter
1st Year Online - SLM
2nd Year Online - SLM
3rd Year Online - SLM
Autumn
LIS 500, 510
Your choice of info tech prep courses (as your schedule allows)
LIS 570
Your choice of info tech core
LIS 565, 568
Winter
LIS 520, 560
Your choice of info tech prep courses (as your schedule allows)
LIS 580, 585
LIS 566 and LIS 590 (DFW) or an elective
Spring
LIS 530, 550
Your choice of info tech prep courses (as your schedule allows)
LIS 522, 561
Your choice of electives or LIS 590 (DFW) if not completed yet
Summer
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings

 

Residential MLIS Tuition Exempt – School Library Media Endorsement Degree Plan:

Quarter
1st Year Tuition Exempt - SLM
2nd Year Tuition Exempt - SLM
3rd Year Tuition Exempt - SLM
Autumn
LIS 500, 510
 
LIS 520, 580
LIS 522, 561
Winter
LIS 530, 550
LIS 585
Your choice of info tech core or an elective
Your choice of info tech core (if not completed yet), LIS 590 (DFW), and/or electives
Spring
LIS 560, 570
Choose two: LIS 565, 566, 568, or info tech core
LIS 565, 566, or 568 (whichever remains), or LIS 590 (DFW) if not completed yet
Summer
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings
Optional quarter w/ limited course offerings