Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, online and part-time students are welcome to apply, provided that they are able to fully participate in on-campus Fellowship activities begining January, 2022. The Fellowship does not offer fully-remote opportunities at this time.
Special consideration is exactly what it sounds like! It means we take this criterion into account when making hiring decisions. The areas of special consideration are things that we have found that make it more likely that a Fellow will succeed and thrive in the program, so we look for them when hiring. It does not mean that it is required or that someone should not apply if they do not meet the criteria.
Together, Research and Teaching Fellows lead about 400 information literacy instruction sessions for English 101 per academic year. Our teaching schedule is dependent on the times/days of the course sections as scheduled by the UMD registrar, but most of the classes take place during business hours and tend to be concentrated between the third to ninth weeks of the semester. This means that for a Fellow, a teaching schedule could look like: Monday, none. Tuesday, 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM; 2:15 - 3:00 PM; Wednesday: 6:00 - 7:15 PM; Thursday: none, Friday: 8:00 -8:50 AM; 9:00-9:50AM. The next week might have completely different dates and times. Over the years, we have found that unless someone is on-campus regularly, it can be difficult to accommodate such a varied and unpredictable schedule (which we totally understand!). We want our Fellows to succeed in the program and stay with us for the full three semesters, and this is more likely if they have an assistantship on campus or something that brings them to campus regularly, like a job or coursework. However, it is not a requirement to apply. If you have questions about your individual circumstance, feel free to email us at libues@umd.edu and we can help you decide if the Fellowship is right for your circumstances and goals.
Two reasons!
(1) Those with full-time (20-hour) assistantships have a benefits packet that includes 10 hours of tuition remission per semester. The Research and Teaching Fellowship requires Fellows to enroll in a 1-hour credit course each semester. Because most MLIS students take a full-course load of 3-classes per term (9 hours), the 1-hour Fellowship class can be included in the tuition remission without costing students additional tuition. We never want folks to have to pay to be in the Fellowship! If a Fellow does not have a GA-ship, we work on a case-by-case basis to figure out how to make the course work for their financial situations.
(2) Together, Research and Teaching Fellows lead about 400 information literacy instruction sessions for English 101 per academic year. Our teaching schedule is dependent on the times/days of the course sections as scheduled by the UMD registrar, but most of the classes take place during business hours and tend to be concentrated between the third to ninth weeks of the semester. This means that for a Fellow, a teaching schedule could look like: Monday, none. Tuesday, 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM; 2:15 - 3:00 PM; Wednesday: 6:00 - 7:15 PM; Thursday: none, Friday: 8:00 -8:50 AM; 9:00-9:50AM. The next week might have completely different dates and times. Over the years, we have found that unless someone is on-campus regularly, it can be difficult to accommodate such a varied and unpredictable schedule (which we totally understand!). We want our Fellows to succeed in the program and stay with us for the full three semesters, and this is more likely if they have an assistantship on campus or something that brings them to campus regularly, like a job or coursework. However, it is not a requirement and every year we have folks who do not have assistantships who make it work.
Yes! We welcome all MLIS students, including HiLS. Please note the Research & Teaching Fellowship has a three-semester involvement limit. Students in HiLS or students completing their degree part-time should strategically plan when they apply for the Fellowship
No, typically Fellows do not work throughout the summer. We do receive some requests for instruction over the summer, and limited teaching opportunities are available to interested Fellows.
Field Study is a required component of the Master of Library Information Science (MLIS) degree at the University of Maryland. You can pursue your Field Study as part of the Fellowship. During the final semester, facilitators will pair you with a UMD librarian for a 60-hour "teaching as research" project. This project, combined with your Fellowship duties, will fulfill the Field Study component requirements of the MLIS degree.
Yes. You will not be assigned a "teaching-as-research" project if you chose this option. You are expected to participate in all other Fellowship activities during the third semester
Yes! In fact, most Fellows also hold a 10-20 hour assistantship position on campus. Fellows work ~5-10 hours a week through the Fellowship (which can be structured as an overload for a GA position) and can set their own instruction schedules to best fit with other commitments.
No, to be considered, applicants must commit to three consecutive semesters. Programs run from Spring to Spring. If a three-semester commitment fits your degree plan, you're welcome to apply.
Congratulations! Applications open every Fall semester. To be considered, applicants must commit to three consecutive semesters. Programs run from Spring to Spring. If a three-semester commitment fits your degree plan, you're welcome to apply.
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