FAQ and Resources

During your first semester, before you can register for classes for your second semester, you must have a Plan of Study on file with the department. Your Plan of Study your plan of how you will navigate this program. You should make it as realistic as possible, but it is not set in stone. Your Plan of Study will likely change throughout your program. During your last semester, send an updated Plan of Study that is accurate and depicts all courses taken and when they were taken.

It is recommended to have your Plan of Study submitted to

There are three (3) required courses for all students in the program, regardless of their degree (ie. ILS or School Librarianship). Those courses are:
– LIS 507: Information Life Cycle
– LIS 508: Information Users & Uses
– LIS 575: Introduction to Research Methodologies
*Please note that there are required courses specifically for the School Librarianship degree to be completed, but the three courses above are required for ALL Information Science students*

You must take LIS 507 and LIS 508 as your first two classes, regardless of how many courses you will be taking per semester. (ex. if you are taking one (1) course your first semester, it can be either LIS 507 or LIS 508; if you are taking two (2) courses your first semester, they should be both LIS 507 and LIS 508; if you are taking three (3) courses your first semester, LIS 507 and LIS 508 must be taken along with your other chosen course).

It is recommended to take LIS 575 after your first semester and before your last semester, as it is a research heavy course and important to build a strong foundation with your other courses first.

Your Portfolio is the final assignment you will submit in this program, which is your chance to reflect on your coursework and how it has prepared you for your future in Librarianship. You will frame assignments within each of the Information Science Program goals, as well as provide professional information.

The requirements for your portfolio will differ between the ILS and SL program, so be sure to pay attention to any and all information you are reading.

Before you being your last semester, you must provide a filled out copy of the

The Practicum (LIS 526) and Special Project (LIS 527) are not required, but recommended experiences for MS-ILS Students (SL Students also have the option to take LIS 525: School Media Center Practicum).

Practicums and Special Projects must be unpaid experience. You can complete it at your place of work, but must not be on the clock while completing it.

The Practicum is a supervised field experience in an information agency of your choice. You will gain general knowledge and experience pertaining to your career interests.

• Examples of the Practicum include:
  • You are a reference librarian trainee at a public library, and between your scheduled shifts, you complete your practicum by working at the adult and children’s circulation desks
  • You are a circulation clerk at a public library, and between your scheduled shifts, you complete your practicum by shadowing the reference librarian and staffing the reference desk

The Special Project is a supervised and specific, planned out project to complete within an information agency of your choice. You’ll complete the project and gain experience pertaining to specific workflows or project management skills.

• Examples of the Special Project include:
  • You are a teen librarian trainee at a public library, and outside of your scheduled shifts, you assist your children’s department in creating a “1000 Books Before Kindergarten

The Portfolio is to be completed during your last semester. It is not a course for credit, but you will be added to a course on UBLearns. Before you begin your last semester, submit the Intent to Submit Portfolio form TO lisport@buffalo.edu. From there, you will receive confirmation and be added to the course.