Rutgers University

Today, I will provide an in-depth view of Rutgers’ Library and Information science program. This program was first accredited by the ALA in 1992, however it has been continually reaccredited and recognized as an excellent program. Located just an hour from my current residence, Rutgers is home to the 6th best ranked program in the country. Rankings are done every few years; the results of the 2006 US News and World Reports survey ranked Rutgers first in school library media, 3rd in services for children and youth, sixth in digital librarianship, and eighth in information systems.

AN MLIS degree from Rutgers prepares graduates to work in a variety of areas, including business industries, government agencies, research corporations, and libraries. Students will work closely with an advisor to design a course catalogue that reflects their career goals and interests. Thirty six credits (12 courses) are required to earn the MLIS degree. Courses are offered online and on campus, however how students must be able to attend a few on campus classes throughout the program. If a student intends to take more than three classes in a term, one of these classes must be on campus.
Course schedules are customized to fit the needs of individual students. The program has six concentrations”
1). Human interaction
2). Information access
3). Information and society
4). Information systems
5). Management
6). Organization information.
Regardless of the particular concentration chosen by the individual, classes in all areas must be taken to obtain a degree. Two noncredit classes are also acquired to attain the degree: 501-Introduction to Library and Information Professions and 502-Colloquium of Library and Information Studies. The program also encourages students to gain optimal field experience by working in an information center or library; this will not earn students credit, however it will enhance their learning experience and resume.
The on campus program consists of about 325 students: half are full-time while the other half are part-time. Students may enter the program in the fall or spring, however the department recommends stating in the fall so that courses can be taken in appropriate sequences.
To be admitted into Rutgers’ MLIS program, students must be academically accomplished. Requirements include:
1). A Bachelor’s degree
2). B average (or higher)
3). GRE, LSAT, GMAT, or MCAT scores
4). Transcript
5). Two letters of recommendation (3 are suggested) that focus on the applicant as an academic and critical thinker
6). A personal statement (no more than 750 words) explaining why the student wants to enter the library science and information field and their goals for a future in this area
7). $65 application fee (nonrefundable)

The application is available online at the following web address:
http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/apply.shtml
Students may submit all paper documents or the application itself to Rutgers’ mailing address:
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
18 Bishop Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8530 USA
732/932-7711 Fax: 732/932-8231

Students applying for the fall must send in all required application materials by February 1st. Notifications of the outcome will be sent out by March 15th. Applicants offered admissions must notify Rutgers, if they accept, by April 15th. Students wishing to begin the MLIS program in the spring must submit applications by September 15th. Notifications will be sent out by October 31st. Students wishing to accept admission must notify Rutgers by November 30th.
The next on-campus admission session will be held on Monday, December 7th, from 4:00 to 5:00pm in room 323 of the SC&I building. If you wish to attend, please email: (inforsvp@comminfo.rutgers.edu).

Tuition for the 2006-2007 year: In-state students pay $515.85 per credit while non-state students pay $766.90. By this estimate, a full degree would cost an in-state student, like myself, $6, 192.00. Tuition for the following year is decided in July by the board of governors. Current information is updated to the following site. 6, 192

http://www.studentabc.rutgers.edu/tuition/tuitionpdf.html/.

Rutgers’ offers a very limited amount of financial aid to graduate MLIS students, however many outside organizations offer scholarships to future librarians. The following website is a great resource for this:

http://www.becomealibrarian.org/scholarships.htm

Next week, I will explore another highly esteemed University in my local area, Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.