VSU offers new Master of Library and Information Science program

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has authorized Valdosta State University (VSU) to offer a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree beginning Fall Semester 2000.

VSU was chosen because it is one of Georgia's regional universities and because it is a state leader in educational technology and distance education, according to Dr. George Gaumond, director of the VSU Odum Library.

The MLIS program is designed to be primarily Web-based, composed of courses developed at VSU and accredited library and information science programs throughout the United States and Canada, Gaumond said.

The curriculum is a major innovative aspect of the program, Gaumond added. It is designed to take advantage of cooperation among institutions while allowing flexibility for students. It is expected that the primary students will be Georgia residents and adult learners who cannot leave jobs and families to return to a single campus for extended periods of time.

Gaumond said a typical program would consist of 40 credits: a three-credit foundations course at VSU, followed by up to 24 credit hours of Web-based instruction from VSU and other graduate programs, 10 face-to-face credits at Valdosta State, and a three-credit capstone course at VSU. Eighteen of the 24 credit hours that will be available on the Internet may be courses generated from other ALA-accredited programs. Meanwhile, VSU intends to seek accreditation from the American Library Association (ALA), Gaumond said.

VSU located in southern Georgia and serves nearly 9,000 students with a range of degree programs through the doctorate of education.

For additional information, contact Dr. George Gaumond at 229-333-5860 or e-mail ggaumond@valdosta.edu