Through a combination of required and elective courses, independent study, workshops, and guided experiences, the Ph.D. in Library and Information Science prepares students for lifelong activity in research, scholarship, teaching, and service. Students work closely with faculty as they progress through the degree, and are guided by faculty advisors and annual reviews of progress as evidenced by analytical papers and other course work, experience reports related to teaching and service activities, and self-reflective essays. The doctoral program is a small, strong program composed of students who form a cohesive and collaborative cohort, and who will be nurtured from enrollment through to completion of the dissertation.
Program Attributes 
- The program is unique among LIS doctoral programs in its guided preparation in the three areas of scholarship, teaching, and service.
- Students emerge from the degree with a record of publications, teaching experience, a professional activity record, and a portfolio.
- Simmons is small and personal, but at the same time has excellent bibliographical and technological resources and can draw on a robust local library and information community.
- There are rich opportunities for synergy between the doctoral and master's students. Collaborative research and group work enriches the learning experience and fosters a stimulating classroom environment. Doctoral students offer colloquia open to master's students, and mentoring opportunities are available.
- GSLIS has an established reputation for producing leaders in professional service at local, national, and international levels. Interaction with the GSLIS alumni community (and the New England LIS community) enriches the doctoral student experience.
Areas of Study
Doctoral studies can be conducted at various intersections of setting, audience, and activity. Some examples of study areas which build on strengths among our faculty include archives and preservation, reference, metadata, scholarly communication, information retrieval, and visual information systems.
Student Learning Outcomes
A graduate of the Simmons GSLIS Ph.D. program:
- articulates researchable problems and applies relevant research studies, research designs, and methodologies to tasks requiring problem solving and critical thinking;
- analyzes scholarship in the field of library, archival, and information science;
- analyzes and presents information, including research proposals and findings, clearly and accurately in a variety for formats;
- develops appropriate unit- or course-level student learning outcomes, when engaged in teaching activities, and plans and implements learning experiences that assist students to achieve those outcomes; and
- leads service activities for local, national, or international professional associations and communities.
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