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Doctoral Program (PhD)

The GSLIS doctoral program marks its 60th anniversary in 2008, making it the oldest such program in the nation. It continues to grow and change in response to new social and technological opportunities for producing, disseminating, and accessing information. The program is research-oriented and interdisciplinary The Information in Society specialization is a recently developed emphasis in the doctoral program. Students are encouraged to pursue interests in other departments as well as within GSLIS, and program requirements are modeled to reflect this.

A Ph.D. in Library and Information Science (LIS) opens up many possibilities for individuals from multiple disciplinary backgrounds. Graduates pursue careers in academia, public institutions, and private corporations. For example, recent graduates have joined the faculty at academic institutions such as the University of Buffalo - The State University of New York, Florida State University, the University of Alabama, and Syracuse University. Others have gone on to work in Research and Development labs at Microsoft, Siebel Systems, and MITRE, and some manage collections at the Library of Congress and the University of Chicago.

The program seeks outstanding students who have demonstrated the necessary educational background, professional experience, scholarly potential and keen interest to conduct independent and exemplary research in the LIS field. Applicants who can demonstrate the intellectual capacity, leadership, communication and analytical skills, potential to contribute significantly to research and education in LIS, and the enthusiasm to do so at the highest levels are welcome to apply to this doctoral program. The admissions committee, known as the Doctoral Studies Committee (DSC), also considers the fit between an applicant's research interests and the research directions supported by the School.

A complete description of the program degree requirements and phases can be found in the Ph.D. Program Phases document.

Application Process

Please see the Admissions section of our website for specific application requirements, deadlines, and forms.

Residency

Doctoral students in GSLIS are required to be in residence for two full years of the program. In addition to taking classes and carrying out individual research projects, all students are expected to attend talks, meet with international visitors, and participate in GSLIS-sponsored events.

Program Requirements and the Master's Degree

Students may be accepted with or without a master's degree in library and information science or a related field. Students with a master's degree must complete 48 hours of doctoral-level course work and 32 hours of dissertation work. Doctoral students without a master's degree must complete 32 additional hours of course work to satisfy the requirements of the doctoral program. These additional hours may be used toward fulfilling the requirements for the Masters of Science in Library and Information Science. For more information, see the Entering Without a Master's of the Ph.D. Program Phases document.

Application Review

All applications are assessed by the Doctoral Studies Committee. The DSC then invites promising candidates for an interview (in person or via phone for those for whom travel is not feasible). The interview gives the applicant and the committee an opportunity to explore in more depths various aspects of the application. It is also used to assess a candidate's ability to think analytically and communicate ideas effectively.

Applicants will know by the end of February if they will be invited to interview for the program.

Financial Aid and Enrollment Status

GSLIS is generally able to offer support for four years. Support usually takes the form of 50% (20 hrs/wk) teaching assistantships, 50% research assistantships, and/or fellowships, which typically are awarded throughout a student's course of study in the following way:

a) RAs and TAs for the first two years;
b) RA or teaching one's own course in the 3rd year;
c) The Fellowship is tied to the dissertation process and students may submit an application for the 4th yr; fellowships are only available to students who have passed the dissertation proposal exam.

These forms of financial aid generally include full or partial tuition and fee waivers. Some additional fees are assessed by the University of Illinois and will not be covered (see the Graduate College's Financial Information for Students for details). Financial aid is awarded at the time of admission. Information about the support awarded will be included in the admissions letter.

Students holding fellowships must register as full-time students (12 hours in Fall and Spring and 6 hours in Summer Session II). Those holding 50% assistantships awarded and/or administered by GSLIS must be registered for at least 10 hours each semester during the academic year. Students with assistantships in the library or elsewhere on campus must follow the enrollment requirements of the units employing them.