LIS End of Program Examination

Purpose

The LIS End of Program Examination is the culminating academic event for all LIS students. Students participate in the LIS End of Program Examination during the last semester of their graduate program in order to meet the examination requirement of the UNT Toulouse Graduate School.

The LIS End of Program Examination is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to organize and synthesize knowledge as developed throughout their academic program, and to defend positions on current issues in library and information science, and the larger, dynamic information environment.

The LIS End of Program Examination is graded on a PASS/FAIL basis.

Students enrolled in the LIS End of Program Examination will utilize the official LIS End of Program Examination "course" (SLIS 5900) in Blackboard to submit all components of the LIS End of Program Examination for evaluation. The LIS End of Program Examination course is also the official online communication venue for exam-related activities once the exam period commences.

Qualifications for Taking the LIS End of Program Examination

Important Note: To be approved for  LIS End of Program Examination, you MUST have done the following:

• Completed and passed all three (3) Core classes: SLIS 5000, SLIS 5200, and SLIS 5600.
• Completed your Practicum Experience or be registered for SLIS 5090 course in your last semester (i.e., to complete during same semester as the exam) or:
  
  
  • The Practicum/Field Experience Waiver Form must be completed, approved, and in your file the semester PRIOR to submitting the application below.
  • If you are a School Library Program of Study student you must have the Proficiencies Checklist completed PRIOR to submitting the application below to be cleared for the LIS End of Program Examination.


• All other students, each Program of Study (POS) has different guidelines for Practicum and/or Field Experience requirements. Check with your POS Advisor if you are unsure of your requirement.
• Each student’s academic record will be checked for errors or missing coursework/course credit to ensure you have the required status to participate in the LIS End of Program Examination.

Problems that may prevent YOUR participation in the LIS End of Program Examination

• Not having enough hours on your record in combination with your last semester course(s) to graduate.
  
  
  • YOU have the responsibility to ensure the necessary credits have been earned for graduation. However, to succeed in LIS End of Program Examination, it is strongly suggested that you register for NO MORE than 6 credit hours (i.e., 2 courses) in the semester in which you plan to take the LIS End of Program Examination.
  • YOU must double-check your record prior to submitting an application for the LIS End of Program Examination.


• Incompletes ("I") on your record.
  
  
  • YOU must double-check your record, clear up any incompletes by speaking with the faculty involved.
  • YOU must resolve any incompletes to be fully processed and submitted to the registrar's office. This must be completed PRIOR to submitting an application for the LIS End of Program Examination.
  • After YOU submit the application for the LIS End of Program Examination if there is an incomplete in any course you will NOT be cleared and will have to wait until the next semester.

If you are unsure of your status, check with the Department of Library and Information Sciences office and/or your official transcript.

Structure of the LIS End of Program Examination

The LIS End of Program Examination is comprised of two (2) activities:

1. Part One: Essay Examination

Students must prepare formal answers to three (3) Essay Questions designed to synthesize knowledge from their coursework and educational experience. This part is conducted in the LIS End of Program Examination (SLIS 5900) Blackboard course site over 7 days (see LIS End of Program Examination Calendar for dates).

2. Part Two: End of Program Questionnaire

Each student must complete the LIS End of Program Questionnaire (EOP). The End of Program Questionnaire is a survey of LIS graduates concerning the courses, program, faculty, facilities, and educational technology.

NOTE: Each student must submit three (3) completed essays.

Evaluation of the LIS End of Program Examination

Each essay question is evaluated and graded on a PASS/FAIL basis by two (2) faculty with expertise related to the question subject matter. All essays are numbered and evaluated without knowledge of students’ identities.

Students must receive a Satisfactory grade on all three (3) essays in order to pass the LIS Comprehensive Examination.

• Students who receive an unsatisfactory grade on one (1) or more essays will not pass the LIS End of Program Examination.
• Students who do not pass the LIS End of Program Examination may re-take the LIS End of Program only once.

Dissemination of Results of the LIS End of Program Examination

The LIS End of Program Examination Committee notifies the Department of Library and Information Sciences Chair of the results for all students. The Department Chair notifies the UNT Toulouse Graduate School of the official results. Students are informed of their results via email from the LIS End of Program Examination Committee after the completion of the LIS End of Program Examination.

UNT Library Access for LIS students

For More Information

LIS End of Program Examination Committee
lis-capstone@unt.edu
Department of Library and Information Sciences: 940-565-2445
University Metro (817) 267-3731, x2445
Fax: 940-565-3101