The Certificate of Advanced Study

Admission Procedures | Program Components | Program Guidesheets | Upon Completion

The School of Library and Information Science offers a "sixth year" program as an opportunity for librarians already in the field to update and upgrade professional skills. The program offers a multi disciplinary approach tailored to those who hold master's degrees in library and information science and are interested in expanding their professional skills in various areas of library and information science. It leads to a Certificate of Advanced Study in Library and Information Science.

Qualifications

1. Hold a master's degree in library and information science from an institution accredited by the American Library Association (or equivalent degree from schools in other countries, in the case of international students);
2. Ideally, a student is admitted to the program at least two years after receipt of the master's degree, provided he/she has held a professional position during that time. If an individual has less than two years of work experience, a petition may be submitted to the school explaining why an exception should be made.

Admission Procedures

1. Make application to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies for admission to the School of Library and Information Science Certificate of Advanced Study Program.
2. Three letters of recommendation, Biographical Sketch form and statement of career goals must be submitted to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.  (These may be found under Application Materials.)
3. Two sets of official transcripts of the M.L.S. or M.L.I.S. degree must be submitted to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.
   
4. If at all possible, an interview prior to admission is desirable.

Program Components

Eighteen semester hours of course work beyond that taken as part of a master's degree are required for the Certificate of Advanced Study.

Credit hours for completion of the Certificate of Advanced Study may include post-master's course work, regularly offered master's level course work, and graduate courses offered in other departments of Kent State university or at other universities. At least half of the 18 semester hours required for the certificate must be taken in the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University.

Program Guidesheets

• Certificate of Advanced Study in K-12 School Library Media
• Certificate of Advanced Study in Library Management
• Certificate of Advanced Study in Digital Libraries

Completion of the Program

1. Students admitted to the Certificate of Advanced Study Program must receive a grade of "B" or better in all courses.
2. Students must complete the program within four calendar years of initial entrance into the program.

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be awarded a Certificate of Advanced Study from the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University.