Master of Arts in History of Science &
Master of Library and Information Studies
Dual Degree Program

The Graduate College approves proposals for dual degree programs. These programs include graduate courses earned in two departments. The programs may be designed for a specific student or established by agreement between departments. For such programs, the Graduate College requires a minimum of 18 courses or 54 credit hours, including a minimum of 27 hours in each department or school. Students should consult with an adviser about options for a dual master degree. The Master of Library and Information Studies/Master of Arts in History of Science program is an example of a dual degree program established by a department and the School of Library and Information Studies. Students must be admitted to both degrees before twelve hours are completed in one.

The purpose of this program is to provide a course of study for those individuals planning for a career in librarianship as a science librarian, as a curator of a rare book and manuscript collection in the history of science/health sciences, or as a public historian or archivist in the history of science.

Students must apply to and be accepted by each department. Dual degree students work with a joint advising committee made up of members of both units. They meet the requirements for the master’s degree in each department, including the comprehensive master’s degree examination or the master’s thesis (a portfolio is a third option for the MLIS degree). Language proficiency, usually in French, German, or Latin, is required in the History of Science Department.

The total course load requirement is 18 courses or 54 credit hours, including a minimum of 27 credit hours in each department. Students may choose to write a thesis in the History of Science Department and/or the School of Library and Information Studies if they wish.

Students must simultaneously apply for graduation for both degrees. Both degrees must be completed before either is awarded.

History of Science course requirements:

The American Library Association (ALA) Accredited Master of Library and Information Studies Degree Requirements (27 hours):

Required courses, 12 hours:

Guided electives, 15 hours; at least one course from each of the following categories:

Learning Organizations and Organizational Culture
Prerequisites: LIS 5033 Information and Knowledge Society and LIS 5023 Management of Information and Knowledge Organizations

• HR 5033 Seminar in Leadership in Organizations
• HR 5073 Creative Problem Solving
• LIS 5223 Information Technology Management
• LIS 5243 Academic Library Administration
• LIS 5253 Community Relations and Advocacy
• LIS 5263 Organizational Learning and Learning Organizations
• LIS 5273 Public Library Administration
• LIS 5283 School Library Media Center Administration
• LIS 5293 Special Library and Information Center Administration
• ODYN 5113 The Psychology of Leadership

Information Technology
Corequisite: LIS 5033 Information and Knowledge Society

• LIS 5533 Introduction to Instructional Technology
• LIS 5603 Information Systems and Networks
• LIS 5643 Knowledge Representation
• LIS 5653 Preservation of Information Materials
• LIS 5990 Database Management
• LIS 5990 Digital Collections
• LIS 5990 Information Security

Content Management
Prerequisites: LIS 5033 Information and Knowledge Society and LIS 5043 Organization of Information and Knowledge Resources

• LIS 5403 Cataloging and Classification
• LIS 5413 Indexing and Abstracting
• LIS 5423 Archives
• LIS 5433 Design and Implementation of Web-based Information Services
• LIS 5473 Document and Records Management
• LIS 5543 Collection Development and Management

Access to Knowledge Structures
Prerequisites: LIS 5033 Information and Knowledge Society and LIS 5053 Information Users in the Knowledge Society

• LIS 5503 Information Literacy and Instruction
• LIS 5513 Information Sources and Services
• LIS 5523 Online Information Retrieval
• LIS 5553 Competitive Intelligence

Research, Production, and Evaluation
Prerequisites: LIS 5033 Information and Knowledge Society, LIS 5023 Management of Information and Knowledge Organizations, LIS 5043 Organization of Information and Knowledge Resources, and LIS 5053 Information Users in the Knowledge Society

• LIS 5713 Research Methods
• LIS 5990 Evaluation of Information Services and Products (5733) (option for non-thesis students)
• LIS 5990 Informetrics (5743)
  

In addition to course requirements, the Graduate College requires all candidates for an advanced degree to complete an end of program assessment. For the MLIS, the School offers three options: the comprehensive examination, the thesis, or the portfolio.

School of Library and Information Studies
401 West Brooks, Room 120
Norman, Oklahoma 73019-6032
(405) 325-3921
e-mail: mryan@ou.edu

History of Science Department
601 Elm Street, Room 625
Norman, Oklahoma 73019-0315
(405) 325-2213
email: spweldon@ou.edu