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Practicum

SLIS 5090.701 is for the practicum requirement for students in the General POS (except those getting School Library Certification), Youth Librarianship, Public Libraries, Academic Libraries, and many Special Libraries. If you are unsure of your practical experience requirement for your POS, please contact your advisor. 

NOTE:  the following students register for a different practicum:

• SLIS 5090.999/8, School Library Certification included in the General POS
• SLIS 5090.704, Legal Libraries
• SLIS 5090.702, Health Science Libraries, placements in the Houston Area

The student is responsible for contacting a potential practicum site and arranging an interview with the potential practicum supervisor. You may choose from, but are not limited to sites posted with the Department of Library and Information Sciences.

Prior to registering for the course, students must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of SLIS courses, completed an advising memo with their degree advisor, and submitted an online practicum application form. Students are encouraged to register for SLIS 5090.701 in their last semester of course work.

• Practicum is 120 clock hours completed under the supervision of a qualified information professional.
• Duties should be progressively more professional in nature as determined by the site supervisor.
• Days and hours to be mutually agreed upon by student and site supervisor.
• The supervisor will convey a pass/fail grade to the practicum director and will complete an evaluation form on the student.

At the beginning of the semester the student will:

• Check into the Blackboard site to read all assignment requirements. 
• List his/her objectives for the practicum. This will be shared with the Supervisor and changes made as necessary. It will then be posted through the Blackboard course as stated in the course.
• Be certain the site supervisor has checked into the Blackboard course.
• Other assignments as stated in the course syllabus including a personal statement and description of the practicum site.

At the end of the semester the student will:

• Prepare a paper and post it as directed in the online course. It will include a description of the practicum site and the work performed. The student should reflect on what was learned and how it is of benefit professionally.
• Complete an online course evaluation form.
• Insure the site supervisor completes the online evaluation form prior to the end of semester.

Students must complete the online application to be placed in a site and it must be approved by the site supervisor, advisor, and practicum director prior to registration. Students are advised to begin the process early in the semester prior to the semester in which you do practicum. Waiting until the last minute may result in delaying your final placement and registration for a semester.

*Practicum Waiver

Requirements for seeking a Practicum Waiver:

• To qualify for a waiver from SLIS 5090, you must have worked part-time or more in an appropriate setting for at least six months in a paid professional position.
• The work must include professional level duties and have been supervised by a library or information professional.
• Complete the Field Experience Request for Waiver Form and turn it into the LIS Department Office. This form must be completed and in the office prior to the end of the semester preceding the semester in which you are taking the End of Program exam. To be eligible to take the End of Program exam, you must either register for SLIS 5090 or have your waiver form accepted before the semester begins.
• You will be notified whether your experience meets requirements. Note: different library and information settings reflect different requirements for a waiver. Waivers will not be given for work completed at a Early Childhood - 12th grade School Library. Waivers may take up to six weeks to process. 

All students must complete a practicum unless waived*.