Applicants - Frequently Asked Questions
What financial aid is available?
The school does have a number of scholarship funds available for distribution
each year. The amount of money available varies from year to year. The awards
range from $500 - $3000. In 2002, the school was able to award approximately
$39,000 to 23 applicants. (See SLIS Scholarship Funds
for more information.) There are more student hourly and work study employment
opportunities in campus libraries and other information centers than there
are SLIS students to fill them. The hourly rate of pay ranges from $6.50 -
$13.00. International students do not qualify for work-study only positions.
The School of Library and Information Studies normally has two project assistantships
and two teaching assistantships under the school's control. (These positions
are usually held by doctoral students. It would be very unusual for a student
who has no teaching or previous library work experience to be offered one
of these positions.) There are also approximately 20 project assistantships
available in libraries and for research projects on the campus, which SLIS
students capture each year. The admissions and placement adviser shares information
on these with interested applicants. The applicants usually must apply to
the employing unit directly. The UW-Madison
Office of Human Resources Employment
web site provides other information. Library positions are usually
listed at
www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/jobs.htm
You may also want to check for additional scholarship information at the
website for the American
Library Association
(ALA) and the
Wisconsin Library Association
(WLA).
Do you have a Distance Learning Program?
The school offers a number of continuing education courses online. Graduate
level credit classes are occasionally offered online, but the full degree
program is not available at this time. There is an online degree program at
UW-Milwaukee School of Information Studies
How many students do you admit each fall? How big is SLIS?
The target enrollment for the master's program has been 75 new students
each fall. The target for new doctoral students is five each fall. At any
given point, there is an average of about 225 students enrolled at SLIS.
Where are the SLIS facilities?
The SLIS office, library, classrooms and faculty offices are located on
the fourth floor of Helen C. White Hall at 600 N. Park Street on the UW campus.
When is your deadline for applications?
Applications should be received by December 15th for those people especially
concerned with getting Project Assistantships or Teaching Assistantships in
campus departments or libraries. This date is recommended, not required. Applications
are accepted until the enrollment target has been met.
What type of undergraduate degree do you require?
The field of library and information studies needs people with broad undergraduate
bachelor degrees in every subject area. A teaching degree is usually required
for those who wish to work in an elementary or secondary school library. There
is a real need for people with science, business and math degrees or work
background.
Do you admit students only in the fall?
Yes, normally we start both the master's and doctoral students only in the
fall. The first required course is taught only in the fall. We have a new
student orientation and mentoring program that is also held only in the fall.
Do you require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
No. This school does not require the GRE.
What TOEFL scores are required?
This school is looking for scores that reflect English fluency: 580 or above
for the paper exam and 237 or better for the computer based exam. It is very
difficult to keep up with the readings and classroom discussions if English
comprehension and skills are below fluency.
What do graduates of this program do after graduation?
Most graduates from the master's program work in academic and public libraries
in Wisconsin and the upper mid-west. Most graduates from the doctoral program
go on to teach library science in library schools.
Can I take SLIS classes if I have not been admitted to the graduate program?
Yes, you may register as a Special Student. A Special Student is able to
take classes within SLIS without having been formally admitted to the program. Upon acceptance to the program, SLIS will apply credits from courses taken
as a Special Student towards your degree provided you earn a grade of B or
better. A maximum of nine credits taken as a Special Student can be counted
toward your graduate degree. Please see
http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/students/univspec.htm
for more information on Special Student status.
It’s been a long time since I got my undergraduate degree, and I don’t have
anyone to provide academic references. What can I do?
Have you taken any continuing education classes where the instructor would
be willing to speak to your ability to succeed in a graduate program? Have
you done any civic or other volunteer work where a committee member would
be able to assess your probable success as a student? Did you have a
placement package or credentials file compiled when you received your undergraduate
degree? If the answer is no to all of the above questions, then the next option
would be to register as a non-degree student and take 2-3 classes. Ask the
instructor(s) from those classes to write references for you. If your
previous grade point average is below the required 3.0, you will need three
letters of academic reference.
What kind of grades must I maintain in graduate school?
You must obtain a B or better or maintain a GPA of 3.0.
If my computer skills are lacking, what can I do to improve them while taking
graduate classes full time?
The Division of Information Technology (DoIT), the University’s technology
division, offers numerous workshops at no charge for students. See the
DoIt website at http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/sts/
for more information on both classroom and online courses. The SLIS computer
lab and other campus libraries also offer free workshops. The workshops
take place during the day and in the evenings for maximum scheduling flexibility.
Do I need my own computer?
Though there are several computer labs on campus for student use, including
one at SLIS, you will probably find it more convenient to have your own computer. As a University student, for a minimal one-time charge of about $15 you receive
the suite of University software and WiscWorld, which includes e-mail. However, additional equipment such as scanners, printers and more specialized
software programs are available for your use in the computer labs on campus. Visit DoIT’s website at http://www.doit.wisc.edu/
for more information.
How can I find out about housing in Madison?
Check http://www.wisc.edu/wiscinfo/academics/admissions/
for more information about campus and off-campus housing. The Campus Assistance
Center also maintains an Off-Campus
Housing Listing Service
Are campus parking permits available?
The University of Wisconsin has limited parking. The best advice to students
regarding parking on campus is DON'T BRING YOUR CAR. Most students walk, bike
or take the bus. Additionally, students are eligible for the ASM bus pass
which provides free access to the city bus. Campus bus is free to everyone.
Public parking ramps are located near campus; current parking rates are $1.00/hour. For information on parking, see
http://www.fpm.wisc.edu/trans/Parking/Student.htm
What student organizations are available?
At SLIS, there are several student chapters of library-related professional
organizations, and you are encouraged to join those that interest you. More
information is given on the
Organizations
page. In addition, many campus wide organizations are also available.Visit
http://soo.studentorg.wisc.edu/
to learn more about registered student organizations.
How long will it take me to complete the program?
The Graduate School considers 8 credits to be full time. You can take 9-12
credits per main semester (fall or spring) and 6-9 credits in summer sessions.
Because students are encourage to get library work experience and be active
in the life of the school, most students take 9 credits per semester and graduate
in approximately two years.
What does information studies mean, and how is it related to librarianship?
The SLIS mission statement says that we educate professionals to bring together
information in all its cultural forms and the people who need or want it.
Libraries are one place where this takes place. Most of the examples
of work life draw from libraries and most of the campus work for SLIS students
will be as student library assistants. However, some students choose to focus
on courses
that specifically prepare them to develop, manage, maintain, use and evaluate
information technologies in a library or information management context,
for careers in information resources management, information architecture,
competitive intelligence, etc.
If I am accepted into the Graduate School, am I automatically accepted into
SLIS?
No. The application processes are separate.
Does school ranking matter? What is the value of a master’s in library
and information studies from UW-Madison?
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is known worldwide for its research
programs and respected faculty in a variety of fields. Attending a university
of this standing provides numerous resources to students of all disciplines.
More specifically, the faculty at the School of Library and Information Studies
are recognized and respected for their research, writing and course innovations.
The website “Why UW-Madison?”
provides further information.
What time of day do classes meet?
SLIS is aware of the needs of students who work full time or must provide
childcare, and makes an effort to schedule classes throughout the day and
evening; some even meet on weekends. An average full time schedule (three
or four classes) will probably consist of some day and some evening classes.
How do I get a faculty adviser?
Your adviser is assigned by SLIS. You will have the opportunity to
meet with your adviser during student orientation before classes begin; you
will also need to schedule at least one appointment with your adviser during
each semester that you are enrolled. This is for your benefit, as your adviser
can help you determine what classes you should take, verify that you have
taken the required core courses, and so on. You can change advisers
if you decide you would prefer to work with a different person.
Graduate school is new for me. How will I know what to expect?
The University hosts a general orientation and welcome for new graduate
students the day before the SLIS new student orientation. The SLIS
orientation should answer most of your questions about the School of Library
and Information Studies.
Where do I get my textbooks?
You can buy them from the University Bookstore on Library Mall, across from
Memorial Library. Both new and used versions of some texts may be available,
and you will often have the option of selling the books back to the bookstore
at the end of the class. Other bookstores near campus may also stock
some or all of your required texts. Some classes will have reserved readings
and class work packages available at a local copy shop. You may also be able
to borrow some texts from area libraries.
Can you establish state residency while attending classes at UW-Madison?
No, the Wisconsin State Statutes governing residency for tuition purposes require you to be a bona fide resident of the state for a full year before you can qualify for in-state tuition. See the UW-Registrar's Office for more information:
http://registrar.wisc.edu/students/fees_tuition/residency.php
FAQs updated 11/22/02
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