Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

The best information about the iSchool (School of Information Science) can be found at the iSchool website or via Blackboard > Organizations > iSchool Graduate Students.

Yes! All classes for the M.L.I.S. program at USC are offered online and asynchronously.

• Make sure to sign up for the iSchool Listserv to receive important emails about the program and other opportunities. For instructions on how to sign up, visit the Listservs website.

• The iSchool Graduate Students Organization on Blackboard has a wealth of information on the MLIS program, including registration information, professional development resources, portfolio requirements, graduation information, and more.

2 classes per semester is a manageable course load when working full-time. Make sure to check requirements for financial aid, which may specify a minimum course load each semester.

The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at USC Columbia handles all financial aid, even for graduate students. Graduate students often have access to federal loans, and sometimes receive departmental scholarships. Please note that you must enroll in at least 6 degree-applicable credit hours per semester to receive federal aid. For more detailed financial aid information, you can visit the Financial Aid webpage. 

Specific information on portfolios (and sample portfolios) can be found on Blackboard > Organizations > iSchool Graduate Students > Program Guidance and Requirements. You can also visit the Portfolio Information page on the LISSA website.

Everyone needs a little support! Please visit the Graduate Student Support webpage to get in touch with some folks who want to help. You can even sign up to be a part of an accountability group! 

Some of the biggest organizations that LIS students might want to consider joining are the American Library Association (ALA), the Society of American Archivists (SAA), and the American Association of School Libraries (AASL), depending on your LIS focus. You can visit the ALA website here, the Society of American Archivists here, and the AASL here (for free). You may pay to join if you so choose, but even if you opt not to join just yet, you will have access to the information these organizations work hard to publish. Other organizations of interest can be found on our Professional Associations page.

Conferences are also a great way to network within the field. You can view our Conferences page for a list of notable events to look forward to.

Don’t wait until the last minute! If you contact someone very close to the deadline (e.g., at 5 PM on a day when the deadline is 11:59 PM), help may not be possible, and you’ll have to accept the consequences of procrastination. Reach out directly to your professor as soon as a question arises for best results.