Library and Information Science (PhD)
Overview
Through a combination of required and elective courses, independent study, workshops, and guided experiences, the Ph.D. in Library and Information Science (LIS) prepares students for lifelong activity in research, scholarship, teaching, and service. Students work closely with faculty, academic advisors, and the Committee on Doctoral Studies as they progress through their degree program. Reviews of progress as evidenced by coursework taken, research outputs, teaching and service activities, are conducted annually. The SLIS Ph.D. program is an outstanding program consisting of students who form a cohesive and collaborative cohort, and who are nurtured from the start of their course enrollment through the completion of their dissertation and the degree.
Our flexible program allows you to take classes fully online, at our Boston campus, or a combination of both. Core courses are offered in synchronous and asynchronous online formats with electives that may be taken either online or face-to-face.
Program Attributes
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The program prepares students to excel in areas of scholarship, teaching, and service.
- Students emerge from the degree program with scholarly publications, teaching experience, and a professional service activity record.
- Simmons has excellent bibliographical and technological resources and can draw on a robust local library and information community.
- There are rich opportunities for synergy between the doctoral students and project led by SLIS faculty. Collaborative research and group work enrich the learning experience and fosters a stimulating intellectual environment.
- SLIS has an established reputation for producing leaders in professional service at local, national, and international levels. Interaction with the SLIS alumni community (and the New England LIS community) enriches the doctoral student’s research and professional experience.
Areas of Study
Doctoral studies can be conducted at various intersections of setting, audience, and activity. Some examples of study areas which build on strengths among SLIS faculty include information organization, user and data services, social informatics and social justice, archives and preservation, scholarly communication, information literacy frameworks, information behavior, mis- and dis-information, collaborative learning, usability and user experience research, and more.
Learning Outcomes
A graduate of the Simmons SLIS Ph.D. program:
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Demonstrates in-depth familiarity with scholarship in the field of library, archival, and information science;
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Articulates prominent theories in the field of library, archival, and information science;
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Identifies researchable problems and applies relevant research studies, research designs, and methodologies to tasks requiring problem solving and critical thinking;
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Analyzes and presents information, including research proposals and findings, clearly and accurately in a variety of formats;
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Conducts qualitative, quantitative or mixed method research studies by engaging in reflective inquiry, performing data collection and analysis, composing research reports, and producing publications and a dissertation;
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Engages in teaching activities, develops appropriate unit- or course-level student learning outcomes, and plans and implements learning experiences that assist students to achieve those outcomes; and
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Leads service activities for local, national, or international professional associations and communities.
Admission Requirements
All applicants for admission to the doctoral program must hold a master's degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program or a recognized institution. Students with an equivalent combination of education and several years of professional experience in an LIS setting may also apply.
Applicants are expected to submit a completed application file that includes the following:
Detailed guidelines for preparing and submitting these materials are included in the online application form.
After all admissions materials have been received, exceptional candidates will be selected for interviews with the Committee on Doctoral Studies and/or program faculty and staff. Committee reflections on the interview will be added to the application file. For further information on the interview process please see the application form. Admissions decisions are based on a composite of all documentation in the application file.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete a total of 36 credit hours to earn the Ph.D. degree. Of these, 33 credit hours are allocated to coursework - 15 credit hours of required courses and 18 credit hours of elective courses. The remaining 3 credit hours are devoted to the dissertation.
Required Courses (15 credit hours)
| LIS 620 | History, Concepts, and Research Opportunities | 3 |
| LIS 621 | Conducting Research | 3 |
| LIS 642 | Applied Statistics for Library & Information Science | 3 |
| SW 654 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| HPED 531 | Teaching Methodologies, Course Design, and Assessment | 3 |
Elective Courses (18 credit hours)
Students often take independent study courses related to their research, as well as research-related or other courses of interest at the master's level. They may also take doctoral-level courses from other disciplines to support their academic and professional goals.
Dissertation (3 credit hours)