New Student Orientation: Plan Your Program

Plan Your Program

• How do I plan my M.L.I.S. program?
  
  
• • Talk to your advisor. (Your advisor's name and contact information are in the letter and email you received regarding your admission to the program.)
    
    
    • VIDEO: How to make the most of SLIS advising (Rhonda Filipan, M.A., M.L.S., Academic Program Coordinator, M.L.I.S.)
    
    
  • • Table of faculty advising areas
      (Note: all full-time faculty are located on the Kent Campus except three, who are based at the SLIS location in Columbus: Dr. Belinda Boon, Professor Nancy Lensenmayer and Dr. Miriam Matteson)
      

• • Review the Program Statement form. (You'll want to keep this handy throughout the course of your studies in SLIS.)
    
    
  • • VIDEO: How to complete the Program Statement form (Rhonda Filipan, M.A., M.L.S., Academic Program Coordinator, M.L.I.S.)
      
      
• • Explore the M.L.I.S. specializations or career paths and related guidesheets.
    
    
  • • VIDEO: How to find information on the specializations and corresponding guidesheets (Rhonda Filipan, M.A., M.L.S., Academic Program Coordinator, M.L.I.S.)
      
      
• • Read descriptions of the courses and workshops in the course and workshop catalogs.
    
    
  • • VIDEO: How to locate the course and workshop catalogs (Rhonda Filipan, M.A., M.L.S., Academic Program Coordinator, M.L.I.S.)
      
      
• • Consider taking an IAKM course or two (or three or four).
    
    
  • • VIDEO: How to decide what IAKM course(s) is best for you (Janna Korzenko, M.L.S., Academic Program Coordinator, IAKM)
      
      

• How do I know when classes are offered?
  
  
• • Check the course and workshop schedules, as well as the course rotation schedule.
    
    
  • • VIDEO: How to find what classes and workshops are offered (Rhonda Filipan, M.A., M.L.S., Academic Program Coordinator, M.L.I.S.)
      
      

• I've decided what classes to take. What's next?
  
  
• • Register for classes.
    
    
  • • VIDEO: How to register for classes (Elizabeth Kudravy, SLIS Student Services Secretary)
      
      
  • Get on the waitlist if the class you want is full, or sign up for special approval if needed to enroll in a particular class.
    
    
  • • VIDEO: How to add your name to waitlist for a class and how to sign up for special approval for select courses (Elizabeth Kudravy, SLIS Student Services Secretary)
      
      
    • Find and obtain the textbooks that are required for your classes.
      
      
    • • VIDEO: How to find the required textbooks for your classes (Rhonda Filipan, M.A., M.L.S., Academic Program Coordinator, M.L.I.S.)
        
        
      • Kent State bookstore
        
        
      • Other online bookstores: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.
        
        

• What resources are available at Kent State to help me in my studies?
  
  
• • Check out the Kent State University Library.
    
    
  • • VIDEO: University Libraries Orientation for SLIS Students (Cynthia Kristof, Head, Access Services, Associate Professor, University Libraries)
      
      
  • Let the experts in the Writing Commons help you polish that prose. It's free!
    
    
  • Contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS), if needed.
    
  • • Register for SAS services, sign up for tutoring, and find out about Student Disability Transportation Services. Schedule exams online with SAS. Find out about scholarships and internships for SAS students.
      
      
  • Explore these many other resources and links.
    
    

• I'm ready for my Culminating Experience or Thesis. What should I do now?
  
  
• • VIDEO: The M.L.I.S. Culminating Experience (SLIS Assistant Professor Belinda Boon, Ph.D.)
    
    
  • Find out what libraries and other information agencies offer practicum and internship opportunities.
    
    

• I'm ready to graduate. What do I need to do?
  
  
• • Apply for graduation!
    
    
  • • VIDEO: How to apply for graduation (Elizabeth Kudravy, SLIS Student Services Secretary)