Library and Information Science/Systems Science Joint Degree
To meet the growing demand for information professionals with backgrounds in library science and computer science, a joint degree program has been implemented. This program prepares information professional knowledgeable in systems and computer applications in such core topics as control theory, operations research, computer science, information systems analysis and design, modeling, and stimulation. The master’s degree in systems science combined with the master’s degree in library and information science provides the requisite background for careers in library systems development, online bibliographic retrieval research, and the administration of information centers. As a student in this program you will earn two master’s degrees for a total of 64 semester hours. Earned individually, the two degrees require 73 semester hours. For more information, contact Dr. Carol Barry (lsbary@lsu.edu).
Dual Degree Program with the Department of History to Prepare Archivists
There is no generally accepted career path to prepare you to work as an archivist. Most employers of archivists would prefer to have someone with both a background in historical research and understanding of the principles of bibliographic control and the management and use of information storage and retrieval systems. This has recently come more and more to mean a person holding the ALA accredited master’s degree in library and information science. A person with a master’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library and information science is highly competitive in this market.
Both the Department of History and the School of Information Science separately admit students to their own programs, either in the same semester, or after the student has begun, or completed one program. The Department of History will accept two of the LIS courses which have a focus on history or archives management. Further, the school will accept any two three-hour graduate courses at the 7000- level from the Department of History for its degree. This has the effect of reducing the requirements for each degree by six hours. It is therefore possible for you to attain both degrees, for a total of 64 hours, in three years if summers are utilized, as they can be for the library and information science courses. For further information contact, Dr. Elizabeth Dow, coordinator of the archives program for the school (edow1@lsu.edu).
