MA. in African Studies and MS. in Library and Information Science
The Center for African Studies and The iSchool of Information Sciences jointly offer a three-year MA in African Studies and MS in Library Information Science. This joint master's degree includes a program of language and area studies courses leading to an interdisciplinary Master of Arts degree in African Studies, as well as a program of study leading to a Masters of Science in Library and Information Science. The joint degree matches area expertise with professional education, and prepares students for professional careers in all types of information organizations, including libraries. Students will enroll in LIS during their first semester and thereafter be enrolled as students in African Studies.
Requirements:
Thesis Option
The following courses are required:
- IS 451 – Bibliography of Africa: 4 credit hours.
- IS 505 – Information Organization and Access: 4 credit hours.
- IS 510 – Libraries, Information and Society: 4 credit hours.
- IS 530 – Collection Development: 4 credit hours.
- IS 582 – International Librarianship: 4 credit hours.
LIS Electives: 12_14 credit hours.
LIS elective courses are selected in consultation with an advisor who is a member of the iSchool faculty. (IS 591, for 2 credit hours, and IS 592, for up to 4 credit hours, may be included)
- AFST 522 – Development of African Studies: 4 credit hours.
- AFST 599 – Thesis Research: 4 to 8 credit hours.
Students who wish to write a thesis may enroll in up to 8 graduate hours of thesis (AFST 599)
Proficiency in an Indigenous African language of your choice, including Swahili, Wolof, or Arabic, through the advanced level (up to the third year): 6 semesters.
NOTE: Language coursework cannot be applied toward degree requirements but is included in the calculation of the GPA.
Elective courses from the approved African Studies course list in consultation with the CAS Graduate Advisor.
Contact: barro@illinois.edu
Coursework must span 3 different disciplines. 8 hours must be at the 500 level, excluding AFST 550 and AFST 599.
Electives and thesis research must total at least 24 credit hours.
Total: 56 credit hours
Other Requirements
Other requirements may overlap
Minimum 500 – level Hours Required Overall: 24
Minimum GPA: 3.25
Non-Thesis Option
- IS 451 – Bibliography of Africa: 4 credit hours.
- IS 505 – Information Organization and Access: 4 credit hours.
- IS 510 – Libraries, Information and Society: 4 credit hours.
- IS 530 – Collection Development: 4 credit hours.
- IS 582 – International Librarianship: 4 credit hours.
LIS Electives: 12_14 credit hours.
LIS elective courses are selected in consultation with an advisor who is a member of the iSchool faculty. (IS 591, for 2 credit hours, and IS 592, for up to 4 credit hours, may be included)
- AFST 522 – Development of African Studies: 4 credit hours.
Proficiency in an Indigenous African language of your choice, including Swahili, Wolof, or Arabic, through the advanced level (up to the third year): 6 semesters.
NOTE: Language coursework cannot be applied toward degree requirements but is included in the calculation of the GPA.
Elective courses from the approved African Studies course list in consultation with the CAS Graduate Advisor.
Contact: barro@illinois.edu
Coursework must span 3 different disciplines. 8 hours must be at the 500 level, excluding AFST 550 and AFST 599.
Electives and thesis research must total at least 24 credit hours.
Total: 56 credit hours
Other Requirements
Other requirements may overlap
Minimum 500 – level Hours Required Overall: 24
Minimum GPA: 3.25