Students complete program activities in the sequence listed below over three years. Program
activities are provided via a variety of methods of course delivery, including in-person intensive instruction, guided independent study, and online instruction. Orientation and annual review meetings are held annually in early summer in Boston, Massachusetts. Courses are offered in summer, fall and spring and begin with three to five days of face-to-face intensive instruction either at Simmons (summer cohort meeting) or an alternate location.
Year One
Foundation 
The first year consists of an intensive 18-credit program to establish the conceptual foundations of the program and develop the core investigative frameworks and practices that will guide independent study in subsequent years.
Summer Orientation and Intensive Instruction Session
Friday through the following Saturday at Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts.
Session includes:
- orientation sessions for new students
- program planning with advisors
- five days of intensive instruction in two courses
- guest speakers and social activities
Summer Courses
Five days of intensive instruction during early summer (see above). Remainder of coursework completed through online instruction and guided independent study. Students are expected to schedule at lease one in-person consultation with faculty during the American Library Association conference, usually held in June. Students not attending ALA will make alternative arrangements for consultation.
Fall Courses
Five days of intensive instruction in early fall at location to be determined (has been at Simmons). Remainder of coursework completed through online instruction and guided independent study.
Spring Courses
Five days of intensive instruction in winter at a location to be determined (usually coordinated around ALA midwinter meeting). Remainder of coursework completed through online instruction and guided independent study.
- LIS 677 - Human Resource Management for LIS
- One elective taken with another cohort - alternates each spring among:
- LIS 687 - Issues in Information Policy
- LIS 688 - Fundraising and Entrepreneurial Strategies for LIS
Year Two
Investigation
The second year is a 12-credit program concluding the foundation courses and related modules and focusing on independent research studies. Research projects and electives are selected to best serve each student's program plan (determined by assessment during the annual review meeting, and continually adjusted through ongoing consultation with faculty advisors).
Summer Orientation and Intensive Instruction Session
Friday through the following Saturday at Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts.
Session includes:
- peer review activities for continuing students (presentation of research to faculty and other students)
- structured student assessments (annual review) and program planning with faculty/advisors
- five days of intensive instruction in two courses and in guidance and preparation for independent research activities (see below)
- guest speakers and social activities
Summer Courses
Five days of intensive instruction during early summer (see above). Remainder of course work completed through online instruction and guided independent study.
Fall Courses
No intensive instruction session - independent work only.
Spring Courses
Five days of intensive instruction in winter at a location to be determined (usually coordinated around ALA midwinter meeting). Remainder of coursework completed through online instruction and guided independent study.
- LIS 680 - Independent Inquiry (continuing research studies)
- One elective taken with another cohort - alternates each spring among:
Year Three
Demonstration
The third year consists of completion of a capstone course (3 credits), qualifying examinations (including presentation of dissertation proposal), and a written dissertation (3+ credits), which will also be presented and defended orally before the Committee on Doctoral Studies and other faculty, advisors and guests.
Summer Orientation and Intensive Instruction Session
Friday through the following Saturday at Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts.
Session includes:
- peer review activities for continuing students (presentation of research to faculty and other students)
- structured student assessments and program planning with advisors
- five days of intensive instruction in the capstone course and in guidance and preparation for dissertation work (see below)
- guest speakers and social activities
Summer Capstone Course
Five days of intensive instruction during early summer (see above). There will be no subsequent independent work, but students are expected to use the summer as a dedicated reading period to prepare for the qualifying examinations and the presentation of their dissertation proposal.
Fall Demonstration Activities
In late summer, students demonstrate their competencies in managerial leadership in the information professions through qualifying examinations (two (2) four-hour written examinations based on the theory and practice of managerial leadership in the information professions). At this time, students also formalize their candidacy for the doctoral degree by presenting their dissertation proposal to the Committee on Doctoral Studies and obtaining approval to proceed. The location of demonstration activities is determined at the Year Three Summer Session.
Spring/Summer Dissertation Defense
Students submit a written dissertation and present/defend their dissertation orally to the Committee on Doctoral Studies and other program and institutional representatives. The public is invited. The GSLIS Committee on Doctoral Studies confers the degree of "Doctor of Philosophy" (Ph.D.) if the candidate is deemed worthy based on the dissertation and demonstration activities. If the candidate does not complete and successfully defend their dissertation by the end of the Spring term of the third year, they are required to maintain active student status until they complete their dissertation.
- LIS 699 - Dissertation (3 credit hours in the term completed + 1 credit hour for each term to maintain status in the program until dissertation is successfully defended)
- Dissertation Defense (scheduled independently for each student)
Student Engagement
in Program Development
This is an innovative program in an emerging area of scholarship and practice. As with any new program, adjustments will surely be necessary. Students in the first cohorts are expected to work with faculty and administrators, through course evaluations and informal discussion, to suggest modifications that will maximize outcomes for students and for the field.
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