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
| IS 451 | Bibliography of Africa | 4 |
| IS 505 | Information Organization and Access | 4 |
| IS 510 | Libraries, Information and Society | 4 |
| IS 530 | Collection Development | 4 |
| IS 582 | International Librarianship | 4 |
| LIS elective courses are selected in consultation with an advisor who is a member of the iSchool faculty. (IS 591, 2 hours, and IS 592, up to 4 hours, may be included) | 12_14 | |
| AFST 522 | Development of African Studies | 4 |
| AFST 599 | Thesis Research | 4 - 8 |
| Students wishing to write a thesis may enroll for up to eight graduate hours of thesis research (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: Hours for language can't be applied toward degree requirements, but are included in the calculation of the GPA. | ||
| Elective courses from the approved African Studies course list should be selected in consultation with the CAS Graduate advisor barro@illinois.edu. Coursework must be from 3 different disciplines; 8 hours must be at the 500-level, excluding AFST 550 and AFST 599. Electives and thesis must total at least 24 hours. | 16_24 | |
| Total | 56 |
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 |
| IS 505 | Information Organization and Access | 4 |
| IS 510 | Libraries, Information and Society | 4 |
| IS 530 | Collection Development | 4 |
| IS 582 | International Librarianship | 4 |
| LIS elective courses are selected in consultation with an advisor who is a member of the iSchool faculty. (IS 591, 2 hours, and IS 592, up to 4 hours, may be included) | 12_14 | |
| AFST 522 | Development of African Studies | 4 |
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: Hours for language can't be applied toward degree requirements, but are included in the calculation of the GPA. | ||
| Elective courses from the approved African Studies course list should be selected in consultation with the CAS Graduate advisor barro@illinois.edu. Coursework must be from 3 different disciplines; 8 hours must be at the 500-level, excluding AFST 550 and AFST 599. Electives and thesis must total at least 24 hours. | 16_24 | |
| Total | 56 |
Other Requirements
Other requirements may overlap
Minimum 500 – level Hours Required Overall: 24
Minimum GPA: 3.25