Library and Information Science – School of Information Science & Learning Technologies

Mission

The Library and Information Science (LIS) Program contributes to the essential knowledge, skills, and values of librarianship and the information professions through research, education, and engagement.

Vision

The University of Missouri LIS program will produce 1) research that transforms library and information science and 2) students who are fully prepared to be leaders in information professions.

Our online program offers the only Master’s Degree in the state of Missouri that is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). ALA’s initial accreditation was granted in 1966/67, and the program has earned continuous accreditation since this date, with the most recent successful review completed in 2023/24.

Degree

Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) Apply

You can also earn transcripted emphasis areas in:

Joint Degree

Students may also obtain both an MLIS degree from SISLT and a JD degree from the School of Law, or an MLIS and an MPA from the School of Public Affairs:

Student Testimonials

Alumni

We encourage our alumni to stay engaged with the School and Mizzou! Four easy ways to stay involved are (1) Host a practicum student at your workplace, (2) Support the LIS endowed scholarships, (3) Attend and speak at student group events, and (4) connect with us on social media.

Our graduates enjoy a variety of career paths. The list below is just a small sample of some of the positions that our recent graduates have taken:

Reference/Web Services Librarian
Archives Specialist
Research Analyst
Teen Librarian
Children’s Librarian
Instruction & Electronic Access Librarian
Reference and Instruction Librarian
Medical Reference Librarian
Library Acquisition & E-Resource Specialist
Electronic Resources Coordinator

Alumni Spotlight

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Goal 1: To ground students in history, values, ethics, and guiding principles of the information professions.
1. SLO 1: Graduates will apply the core principles, ethics, values, and body of knowledge to questions in library and information science, according to their area of specialty.
Goal 2: To provide students with the evaluative and analytical skills to respond flexibly and adaptably to future changes and challenges within the organizations and institutions where they will be employed.
1. SLO 2: Graduates will apply management principles and interdisciplinary best practices in library and information agency environments.
Goal 3: To provide students with opportunities to develop cutting-edge technological skills and competences used across the information professions.
1. SLO 3: Graduates will be competent in information organization and with understanding and evaluating information and communication technologies relevant to the information professions. This includes:
Goal 4: To develop an appreciation of the service-based and user-focused nature of the information professions.
1. SLO 4: Graduates will be able to assess community needs, formulate plans to respond to users of information agencies, and instruct users in using informational resources.

For more information about the SLOs, including examples of the outcomes and their mastery; along with overarching skills; maps to COA Standards, ALA Standards, and SAA Guidelines; and information about the revisions process: SLOs and Goals.docx

Program Outcomes

Time to Graduation

Students in the LIS program attend classes full-time and part-time, based on their lifestyles and needs. A full-time student could graduate in as little as two years, and part-time students have up to eight years to graduate. Our data show that most of our students take between two and three years to graduate. For full cohort enrollment, retention, and graduation data, please access this file.

Enrollment & Retention Rates for MA/MLIS Students
Cohort (First Term)	Year 1 Enrollment	Number Returning Year 2	Year 1 to Year 2 Retention Rate	Total Graduates	Graduation Rate	Enrolled Current (AY2023-24)
AY 2010-11	124	113	91%	109	88%
AY 2011-12	73	61	84%	62	85%
AY 2012-13	77	69	90%	63	82%
AY 2013-14	52	46	88%	42	81%
AY 2014-15	57	49	86%	44	77%
AY 2015-16	48	42	88%	41	85%
AY 2016-17	74	71	96%	69	93%
AY 2017-18	101	86	85%	80	79%	1
AY 2018-19	130	114	88%	93	72%	2
AY 2019-20	187	158	84%	129	69%	15
AY 2020-21	127	99	78%	76	60%	14
AY 2021-22	86	71	83%	21	24%	41
AY 2022-23	118	105	89%	0	0%	105
AY 2023-24	102	NA	NA	NA	NA	102
Total	1,356	1,084	80%	829	61%	280

Yearly Average Retention Rates for MA/MLIS Students
Average Year 1 to Year 2 retention rate:	88%
Average Year 2 to Year 3 retention rate:	75%
Average Year 3 to Year 4 retention rate:	53%
Average Year 4 to Year 5 retention rate:	30%

Notes

First Academic Year Enrolled in Library Science is the first year that the student is enrolled for LIBRSCI_MA, LMS_MA, LIBMS_MLIS, or LIBIS_MLIS, for example AY2012–2013 is FS2012, SP2013, or SS2013
Cohort is the number of students that enrolled for the semester for the first time in a Library Science program
Grad in 1 year is of the cohort how many graduated in the Fall, Spring, or Summer.
Continued to 2nd yr is how many of the 81 cohort of AY2012–2013 were still in enrolled in a Library Science program for FS2013, SP2014, or SS2014.
Grad in 2 Years is how many of the 81 cohort of AY2012–2013 graduated in FS2013, or SP2014, or SS2014.
Continued to 3rd yr is how many of the 81 cohort of AY2012–2013 was still in enrolled for FS2014, SP2015, or SS2015.
Grad in 3 Years is how many of the 81 Cohort of FS2012 graduated in FS2014, SP2014, or SS2014
Cumulative 3 Yr Graduation is (Grad in 1 Year + Grad in 2 Years + Grad in 3 Years)
Academic Year follows Fall, Spring, Summer cycle. Ex: AY 2010-2011 includes Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Summer 2011.
Completion terms includes terms until FS2021.
Admit cohorts are based on the first term students enrolled in the program.
Retention rates fall after year 3, as most students graduate in 2-3 years.

Placement

Placement data is collected annually by the Library Journal Placement and Salaries survey.

In 2023, the LIS program had 100 graduates. Of those, 24 returned surveys, and of those 24, 19 were employed full-time. MU LIS graduates reported an average salary of $54,388. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/challenges-opportunities-placements-and-salaries-2024

In 2022, the LIS program had 123 graduates. Of those, 14 returned surveys, and of those 14, 13 were employed full-time. MU LIS graduates reported an average salary of $65,573. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/holding-steady-placements-and-salaries-survey-2023

In 2021, the LIS program had 91 graduates. Of those, 9 returned surveys, and of those 9, 7 were employed full-time. MU LIS graduates reported an average salary of $53,785. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Back-to-a-New-Normal-Placements-and-Salaries-Survey-2022

In 2020, the LIS program had 60 graduates. Of those 60, 5 returned surveys, and of those 5, 4 were employed full-time. MU LIS graduates reported an average salary of $53,500. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Careers-During-COVID-Placements-and-Salaries-Survey-2021

In 2019, the LIS program had 57 graduates. Of those, 7 returned surveys, and of those 7, 5 were employed full-time. MU LIS graduates reported an average salary of $51,667. https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=ljs-placements-and-salaries-survey-2020

In 2018, the LIS program had 49 graduates. Of those, 8 returned surveys, and of those 8, all were employed full-time. MU LIS graduates reported an average salary of $59,533. Full data set forthcoming. https://www.libraryjournal.com/?page=placements-salaries-2019-landing-page

In 2017, the LIS program had 43 graduates. Of those, 15 returned surveys, and of those 15, 13 were employed full-time. MU LIS graduates reported an average salary of $48,900. https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=ljx181002PlacementsIntro