Master of Library and Information Science

This is a Master of Library and Information Science degree.

This degree is part of the library and information science program, housed in the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies (SISLT). The program is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), which granted continued accreditation status in 2015.

Program Structure

The MLIS degree program is offered completely online.

We use several different course structures to provide you with the broadest and most instructionally appropriate class opportunities.

• Online asynchronous classes allow you to participate anytime, anywhere.
• Online synchronous classes, scheduled at fixed times to allow online, offer real-time interaction without the drive time.

Course registration materials will indicate if a course has any synchronous sessions.

Courses

Courses are semester-based. Students typically take between one and three classes each semester and finish in two to four years. Topic strengths include:

• LIS professional history, ethics, foundations, and values
• Management of collections and information agencies
• Information technology and systems
• Services to a diversity of information users and communities
• LIS research and assessment
• Digital humanities
• Archives and records management
• Library services to children and youth

Degree Requirements

The program consists of 39 credit hours, including 18 credits of required courses.

Elective courses are selected in consultation with faculty advisers.

• Must include 15 credit hours of 9000-level courses.
• Must include 12 hours of courses taught by a full-time faculty member.

For additional information about planning your Program of Study, see the LIS Student Resources and Courses pages.

Practicum

All students are encouraged to complete a two- or three-hour practicum as part of the degree. The practicum is real-world experience in libraries and information agencies. Sometimes the practicum is an experience in another part of a library (public services versus technical services), in another kind of library (special versus academic) or in a different institution entirely (e.g. museums). Students are invited to tailor their practicum experience to their own needs and circumstances, including geography and specific areas you want to explore.
For more information, please see our Practicum page.

Graduate Examination

Prior to graduation, all students must complete a graduate examination which requires them to demonstrate mastery of the LIS Student Learning Outcomes. Students admitted prior to Fall 2016 may choose either the Comprehensive Exam or the ePortfolio. The ePortfolio will be the mandatory final product for all students admitted in Fall 2016 and later.

The ePortfolio is an accumulation of assignments and reflections that demonstrate mastery of the LIS Student Learning Outcomes. You will need to include three assignments that address each of the LIS Student Learning Outcomes. Your performance and reflections will demonstrate that you are ready to enter into a professional career.