Degree Requirements
The MLIS degree is earned by completing 15 courses. Students must complete 6 required courses (9001, 9002, 9003, 9004, 9005, 9006), 1 designated technology course, and 8 elective courses. Students must take the majority of their MLIS required courses prior to taking elective courses, since required courses are often prerequisites for electives.
See also Progression and Graduation Requirements.
Program Options
Students may complete their degree requirements entirely through coursework or, if they have an interest in LIS research, they may choose to combine coursework with one or more of the MLIS original research options.
The typical sequencing of courses for a coursework-only program is provided below, both full-time and part-time. For sequencing of a program with a research component, please see MLIS original research options.
Full-Time Studies
The degree can be completed in a minimum of 12 months (3 terms) by a full-time student taking 5 courses per term; however, the 4-term, 16-month program, is preferred by many students. Each term consists of 14 weeks. Students who participate in co-op may take one or two work terms in addition to the required 15 courses.
The scheduling of the required courses takes place as follows:
| Student Course Load | Term 1 | Term 2 |
| 5 courses per term | 9001, 9002, 9003, 9004, 9006 | 9005+, 4 electives* |
| 4 courses per term | 9001, 9002, 9003, 9006 | 9004, 9005+, 2 electives* |
| 3 courses per term | 9001 or 9002, 9003, 9006 | 9001 or 9002, 9004, 9005+ |
+9005 may be taken in Term 2 or in any subsequent term in the program.
*To fulfill degree requirements, students must successfully complete a designated technology course prior to graduation.
Students from non-English-speaking countries will in many cases be required to take a four-term program.
Part-Time Studies
The MLIS degree may be earned completely on a part-time basis but must be completed within a four year period. Students who cannot complete the program within four years may seek an extension through the FIMS Associate Dean and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Part-time students normally are required to complete the core courses prior to taking electives.
The program offers evening courses in order to assist those who are already on the job to acquire part of their professional education. Students taking evening courses must allow sufficient time to do readings and complete assignments, as required, in advance of each class. For many courses they will also need to spend time on campus using the Graduate Resource Centre or computer resources to prepare adequately for the class.