For students who are looking to complete their MSLS degree in less than the standard two-year period, our Expedited Degree Plan may be an option.
If you have any of the following, the expedited option may appeal to you:
- Time to commit yourself to four three-credit hour courses each semester.
- A desire to lower your overall tuition costs.
- A wish to earn your master's degree as soon as possible for professional, financial or other reasons.
Students who follow this plan for their degree can graduate from the program in as little as 18 months. Keep in mind this is an intensive course of study with a full academic load that requires organization and self-discipline on the part of the student. Students who begin the program with an expedited degree plan in mind may always switch to a regular full-time or part-time course load at their discretion.
Expedited degree students should anticipate potentially taking classes during the Summer term if seeking a further abbreviated time to degree, although it is not required and the degree may be completed in Fall/Spring terms only. The UK School of Information Science does not offer classes during the Winter Intersessions.
Please note that it is strongly recommended students applying to the program for an expedited path submit their application around three months prior to the deadline. Doing so enables those students to have a wider array of options for course placement given the number of hours needed in one semester. Current students on an expedited path should be sure to register for their classes at the earliest available window.
Click here for a full breakdown of UK's cost of attendance. For specific questions about payments, please contact Student Account Services.
Example Expedited Degree Plan - 36 credit hours
Here is an example expedited degree plan (actual plans will vary on course availability):
- Semester 1: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Core Courses; IT Requirement
- Semester 2: 4th Core Course; Electives 1, 2 and 3
- Semester 3 (Final Semester): 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Electives; Complete Exit Assessment
12 courses are needed (including four core, one IT requirement and seven electives) for a total of 36 credit hours.
The following core courses are required:
- LIS 600 Information in Society
- LIS 601 Information Seeking, Retrieval & Services
- LIS 602 Information Representation & Access
- LIS 603 Management in LIS
Choose at least one of the following courses:
- LIS 636 Foundations of Information Technology
- LIS 638 Internet Technologies & Information Services
- LIS 668 Information Systems Design
- LIS 690 (any special topics IT course)
Choose seven courses from semester offerings. See the UK Catalog for a complete list of course offerings and course descriptions.
Note: Elective offerings for expedited degree plan students may be limited each semester, especially in the Summer term. Students seeking a specific concentration area should consider this before choosing this path.
