MLIS Course Load

Overview

Course Load — MLIS

The Master of Library and Information Science degree program requires the completion of 43 units comprising: 

The majority of courses offered in the MLIS program are three units. There are also some one-unit and two-unit courses, which provide increased scheduling flexibility and afford the opportunity to expand knowledge in a variety of areas.

MLIS students can expect to spend at least three hours outside of “class” per every course hour. The graduate-level course work is difficult. Students should carefully consider the program’s rigor and their other responsibilities outside of school, such as work and family obligations, when deciding on how many classes to take each semester. Dropping classes after the deadline early in the semester can be problematic and expensive. We recommend that students be conservative in the number of classes they take each semester.

Students can attend the MLIS program full time or part time and have up to seven years to finish their studies. San José State University does not apply credits earned more than seven years before graduation toward a master’s degree.

Students can earn their MLIS degree in as quickly as four semesters. MLIS courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters and over the summer break. Here are a few examples of how students can fast-track the fully online MLIS program.

Scenarios

Assuming a Fall semester start. 

Four Semesters to Degree

Fall 10 units (INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 203, INFO 204)
Spring 12 units 
Summer 9 units 
Fall 12 units  Note: Over winter consider taking 3 units from outside iSchool and transfer in. See transfer policy

Six Semesters to Degree

Fall 10 units (INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 203, INFO 204)
Spring 9 units 
Summer 6 units 
Fall 9 units 
Spring 6 units 
Summer 3 units 

Seven Semesters to Degree

Fall 7 units (INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 203)
Spring 9 units (to include INFO 204)
Summer 3 units 
Fall 9 units 
Spring 6 units 
Summer 3 units 
Fall 6 units 

Students may also transfer courses to their MLIS program subject to transfer requirements. No more than nine semester units may be transferred from other departments within San José State University and/or from other accredited institutions.

Assuming a Spring semester start.

Four Semesters to Degree

Spring 10 units (INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 203, INFO 204)
Summer  9 units
Fall  12 units
Spring 12 units  Note: Over winter consider taking 3 units from outside iSchool and transfer in. See transfer policy

Six Semesters to Degree

Spring 10 units (INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 203, INFO 204)
Summer 6 units
Fall  9 units
Spring 9 units
Summer 3 units
Fall 6 units

Seven Semesters to Degree

Spring 7 units (INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 203)
Summer 3 units (to include INFO 204)
Fall 9 units
Spring 9 units
Summer 3 units
Fall 6 units
Spring 6 units

Students may also transfer courses to their MLIS program subject to transfer requirements. No more than nine semester units may be transferred from other departments within San José State University and/or from other accredited institutions.

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