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College of Communication and Information

Library and Information Science

Course Delivery
100% online
Total Credits
37
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester April 15
Summer Semester March 15
Spring Semester November 15
Accreditation
American Library Association

Library and Information Science Master’s Degree Program Overview

The Master of Library and Information Science degree prepares students for professional positions in public, academic, special and school libraries; archives; museums; and other types of information agencies, organizations and companies. Many M.L.I.S. graduates go on to positions in other areas of the information field besides libraries — in research, for example, or publishing, information management, competitive business intelligence and more. An accredited M.L.I.S. degree is the basic requirement for professional employment in most libraries and information centers.

Students can concurrently pursue a dual program with the Master of Business Administration degree. Each program makes an independent admission decision. For further information about the dual degree program, see the specific program section in this catalog.

The Library and Information Science major includes the following optional concentrations:

  • The Archival Studies optional concentration prepares students to work with records and other materials of historical value in a variety of settings, including special collections in libraries, government and corporate archives, as well as archival collections found in museums, historical societies and other heritage institutions. Students are encouraged to pursue internship opportunities to enhance their understanding of archival principles and gain valuable practical experience. This concentration follows the recommendations of the Society of American Archivists for graduate archival education programs.
  • The Medical Librarianship optional concentration prepares students to work in medical and health sciences libraries; in the community; and as part of a health system, hospital, clinician office, academic center, government research agency or medical specialty organization. Students in the concentration intern at a medical library, which will allow them to apply their skills and knowledge, as well as to observe the typical daily activities and requirements of medical librarians.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Apply the field’s foundational theories, principles, values, ethics and skills to everyday practice.
  2. Critique and synthesize research and identify appropriate research methodologies to solve problems in the field.
  3. Analyze and engage in the changing cultural, educational and social roles and responsibilities of librarians/information professionals and the environments they work in within the global society.
  4. Evaluate systems and technologies relevant to a particular information context.
  5. Identify needs and connect individuals and communities with information that engages and empowers them.

Accreditation

American Library Association

Concentration Areas:
Archival Studies
  • In 2021, we were ranked #12 in the specialty of archives and preservation by U.S. News and World Report.
  • Archivists are information professionals who assess, collect, organize, preserve, maintain control over, and provide access to records and archives determined to have long-term value. The records maintained by an archivist can consist of a variety of analog and digital forms and documentary genres, including letters, diaries, logs, various other writings, official documents, photographs and other visual materials, sound recordings, and moving images.
  • Students are required to complete 12 credit hours of electives pertinent to archives, as well as 13 credits of MLIS core courses and 12 additional elective credits, for a total of 37 credit hours.
Medical Librarianship
The Medical Librarianship optional concentration prepares students to work in medical and health sciences libraries; in the community; and as part of a health system, hospital, clinician office, academic center, government research agency, or medical specialty organization. Students in the concentration intern at a medical library will allow them to apply their skills and knowledge and observe the typical daily activities and requirements of medical librarians.

Dual Degree: Students also have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the MBA degree and the MLIS degree. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admissions requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.


Program Structure

MLIS Program Structure

  • 37 minimum credit hours
  • Appropriate technology and computer literacy skills are essential for each School of Information course. In order to be successful in the program, all incoming students must meet the School of Information computer competencies, as well as its minimum computer hardware, software and internet access requirements before the first day of class. For details, students should consult the school’s website

MBA/MLIS Dual Degree Program Structure

  • 59 minimum credit hours
  • About 25 courses

Library and Information Science Master’s Degree Program Admissions Requirements

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale1
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or curriculum vita
  • Student Profile Form
  • Exception statement (addressing circumstances and readiness for graduate education
  • Application Essay
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score

1In calculating the total GPA, all grades from all courses taken at relevant level (baccalaureate or master’s) from all institutions are required. Applicants who do not meet the minimum 2.750 GPA requirement must submit a statement that addresses the circumstances that contributed to the GPA and preparation for success in graduate study. Applicants should include recent professional achievements that indicate an ability to perform at a higher academic level to be considered for conditional admission to the program.

2International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Technology Requirements

Appropriate technology and computer literacy skills are essential for each School of Information course. In order to be successful in the program, all incoming students must meet the School of Information computer competencies, as well as its minimum computer hardware, software and internet access requirements before the first day of class. For details, students should consult the school’s website.

Important Dates

Aug
19
Classes Begin
Fall 2024 Semester
Jan
13
Classes Begin
Spring 2025 Semester
May
12
Classes Begin
Summer 2025 Semester
Aug
18
Classes Begin
Fall 2025 Semester
Jan
12
Classes Begin
Spring 2026 Semester
May
11
Classes Begin
Summer 2026 Semester
Aug
24
Classes Begin
Fall 2026 Semester

Library and Information Science Master’s Degree Program Courses

Program Requirements

Major Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Major Requirements
LIS 60020 INFORMATION ORGANIZATION 3
LIS 60030 PEOPLE IN THE INFORMATION ECOLOGY 3
LIS 60040 INFORMATION INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONS 3
LIS 60050 RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE 3
Major Electives, choose from the following: 1 12
Health Informatics (HI) Graduate (50000 level and higher) course
Knowledge Management (KM) Graduate (50000 level and higher) course
Library and Information Science (LIS) Graduate (50000 level and higher) course
User Experience (UX) Graduate (50000 level and higher) course
Culminating Requirement
LIS 60099 MASTER’S PORTFOLIO IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE 1
Additional Requirements or Concentration
Choose from the following: 12
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 37

1A maximum of 6 credit hours of either course or any combination of LIS 60692 and LIS 61096 may be applied towards the degree program.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Major Requirements
Library and Information Science (LIS) Electives 1 12
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12

1A maximum of 6 credit hours of either course or any combination of LIS 60692 and LIS 61096 may be applied towards the degree program.

Archival Studies Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
LIS 60652 FOUNDATIONS OF RECORDKEEPING IN SOCIETY 3
LIS 60657 THEORY AND METHODS OF ARCHIVAL ACQUISITION, SELECTION AND APPRAISAL 3
LIS 60658 THEORY AND PRACTICE OF ARCHIVAL DESCRIPTION 3
Concentration Elective, choose from the following: 3
LIS 60631
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PRESERVATION
LIS 60633
DIGITAL CURATION
LIS 60635
CULTURAL HERITAGE INFORMATICS
LIS 60651
DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING AND COLLECTION MANAGEMENT
LIS 60654
PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE MATERIALS
LIS 60659
INTRODUCTION TO AUDIOVISUAL ARCHIVING
LIS 60665
RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
LIS 60692
INTERNSHIP IN INFORMATION AND CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUTIONS 1
LIS 61095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN INFORMATION STUDIES 2
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12

1A maximum of 6 credit hours of either course or any combination of LIS 60692 and LIS 61096 may be applied towards the degree program.

2Selected topic courses should be chosen in consultation with faculty advisor to ensure relevance to concentration.

Medical Librarianship Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
HI 60419 CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATICS 3
LIS 60620 HEALTH INFORMATION RESOURCES 3
LIS 60671 INTRODUCTION TO CATALOGING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN MEDICAL LIBRARIES 1
LIS 60672 REFERENCE SOURCES AND SERVICES IN MEDICAL LIBRARIES 1
LIS 60673 MEDICAL LIBRARY MANAGEMENT AND CULTURE 1
LIS 60692 INTERNSHIP IN INFORMATION AND CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUTIONS 1 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12

1A maximum of 6 credit hours of either course or any combination of LIS 60692 and LIS 61096 may be applied towards the degree program.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements Summary
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Library and Information Science Master’s Degree Program Tuition and Fees

Ohio Residents

Per Credit Hour Per 3-Credit Course Approximate Tuition Cost
$829 $2,487 $30,600

Non-Ohio Residents

Per Credit Hour Per 3-Credit Course Approximate Tuition Cost
$839 $2,517 $31,000

An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.

Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.

The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken.  Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person.  Program costs are subject to change without notice.

*Out-of-state/International tuition includes a surcharge of $10 per credit hour for all students enrolled in an online program.

Master of Library and Information Science Careers

Database administrators and architects

  • 9.7% much faster than the average
  • 132,500 number of jobs
  • $98,860 potential earnings

Curators

  • 12.6% much faster than the average
  • 14,500 number of jobs
  • $56,990 potential earnings

Archivists

  • 7.9% faster than the average
  • 8,100 number of jobs
  • $56,760 potential earnings

Librarians and media collections specialists

  • 5.0% faster than the average
  • 146,500 number of jobs
  • $60,820 potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source

* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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