Program objectives are: 1) to prepare students to identify significant problems in libraries and information agencies, place them in context, and apply appropriate research techniques to solve them; 2) to prepare students to assume positions of leadership in the library and information professions as researchers, teachers and administrators; and 3) to advance the profession of librarianship through the development of new knowledge about libraries and librarianship.
The Libraries in Learning focus in the doctoral program centers around the areas of information and communication in a variety of learning contexts. Students will begin by studying frameworks for information analysis and inquiry. This will be followed by an examination of various models of communication and the roles of libraries in the total information process. With this foundation, students will focus on the pedagogy of library education, including gaining experience teaching online. The culminating requirement will be an examination of newly evolving theories and issues in library and information systems, including participating in a library or information-related conference.
Total hours: 90 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree
Steps to Admission
- Apply to SLIS. Only complete application packets will be considered. Applicants are responsible for keeping their contact information current. Submit the following materials, in a single, complete mailing, to TWU SLIS Doctoral Committee, PO Box 425438, Denton, TX 76204-5438.
- A SLIS doctoral program application form
- Autobiographical essay that includes reasons for pursuing the Ph.D. (about 500 words)
- Vita or Resume that includes details and dates for:
- Colleges and universities attended, degrees, certificates
- Professional experience
- Academic and professional honors
- Professional and honorary organizations to which you belong, with information about offices or service roles
- Publications and/or presentations
- Names and contact information for three references who will send letters of recommendation directly to the Doctoral Committee. These persons’ letters will assess your potential for success in the Ph.D. program. Please use the Ph.D. Letter of Recommendation Form.
- An interview on campus may be required as part of the application process.
2. Apply to the TWU Graduate School.
Application Deadline
The deadline for doctoral program applications is February 15. Applications are accepted only for admittance into the Fall semester.
Required Doctoral Courses: 12 hours
Four doctoral level courses are required in a lock-step two year sequence:
- Fall (every year): LS 6723 Critical Inquiry in Information Analysis
- Spring (even years): LS 6003 Theory of Communication
- Fall (even years): LS 6013 Education for Librarianship
- Spring (odd years): LS 6373 Research and Issues in Library and Information Systems
Core master's level courses (LS 5083, 5013, 5043, 5003, 5263, 5383, and 5843) taken after acceptance into the doctoral program may not count towards hours for the doctoral degree. A common apportionment of the 90 hours includes 36 hours from the MLS, with the remainder of the hours applied to the research tools, dissertation, SLIS required courses, SLIS 6000-level electives, and cognate or other electives.
Contact Information
For questions on the SLIS admissions process, please contact Ms. Brenda Mallory in the SLIS office at 940-898-2602, or slis@twu.edu.
page last updated 5/20/2013 3:09 PM
