
Examples of Possible 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
Contact Information
- School Director: Meghan Harper | iSchool@kent.edu | 330-672-2782
- Chat with an Admissions Counselor
Fully Offered
- Delivery:
- Fully online
Admission Terms
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
*Note
Source of occupation titles and labor data is 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.
Description
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 concentration
- 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.
Accreditation
American Library Association
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum 3.000 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.
- Official transcript(s)
- GRE scores if total GPA is below 3.0 in highest completed degree1 (effective spring 2023 admissions, the GRE will no longer be required)
- 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) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 82 MELAB score
- Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 65 PTE score
- Minimum 120 Duolingo English Test score
For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
- 1
In calculating the total GPA, all grades from all courses taken at relevant level (baccalaureate or master's) from all institutions are required.
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.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Apply the field's foundational theories, principles, values, ethics and skills to everyday practice.
- Critique and synthesize research and identify appropriate research methodologies to solve problems in the field.
- 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.
- Evaluate systems and technologies relevant to a particular information context.
- Identify needs and connect individuals and communities with information that engages and empowers them.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
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 |
LIS 60280 | MASTER'S PORTFOLIO IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE | 1 |
Major Electives, choose from the following: | 12 | |
Any Health Informatics (HI) Course | ||
Any Knowledge Management (KM) Course | ||
Any Library and Information Science (LIS) Course | ||
Any User Experience Design (UXD) Course | ||
Additional Requirements or Concentration | ||
Choose from the following: | 12 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 37 |
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
Major Electives, choose from the following: | 12 | |
Any Health Informatics (HI) Course | ||
Any Knowledge Management (KM) Course | ||
Any Library and Information Science (LIS) Course | ||
Any User Experience Design (UXD) Course | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Medical Librarianship Concentration Requirements
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 | 3 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Dual Degree with M.B.A. degree in Business Administration
Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.B.A. degree in Business Administration and the M.L.I.S. degree in Library and Information Science. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.
At 61 credit hours for the dual degree, students receive an M.L.I.S.-M.B.A. dual-degree. The curriculum includes 24 credit hours of M.B.A. coursework, 25 credit hours of Library and Information Science courses and 12 credit hours from either business or library and Information science.
Dual Degree Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
ACCT 63037 | FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FOR DECISION MAKING | 2 |
ACCT 63038 | MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING FOR DECISION MAKING | 2 |
ECON 62021 | MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS | 2 |
ECON 62022 | MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS | 2 |
FIN 66050 | LAW AND ETHICS | 2 |
FIN 66060 | MANAGERIAL FINANCE | 2 |
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 |
LIS 60280 | MASTER'S PORTFOLIO IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE | 1 |
LIS 60401 | LEADERSHIP IN LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTERS | 3 |
LIS 60692 | INTERNSHIP IN INFORMATION AND CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUTIONS | 3 |
MIS 64041 | OPERATIONS, SERVICE AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT | 2 |
MIS 64158 | LEADERSHIP AND MANAGERIAL ASSESSMENT | 2 |
MIS 64185 | BUSINESS STRATEGY | 3 |
MKTG 65051 | MARKETING MANAGEMENT | 2 |
Business Elective, Any business graduate course in accordance to student's career goals may count as an elective. Recommended: ECON 62015 | 3 | |
Library and Information Science Electives, Any Library Science (LIS) graduate course in accord to student's career goals may count as an elective. 1 | 6 | |
Business or Library and Information Science Elective, Minimum 3 credit hours must be from Library Science (LIS), choose from the following: | 12 | |
DATABASE FUNDAMENTALS FOR INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS | ||
FOUNDATIONS OF RECORDKEEPING IN SOCIETY | ||
SELECTED TOPICS IN INFORMATION STUDIES | ||
ANALYTICS FOR DECISION MAKING | ||
GLOBALIZATION AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY | ||
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 61 |
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Students interested in working in a corporate or nonprofit environment will find topics such as recordkeeping, records management, information policy, knowedge management, library management, and database fundamentals to be important in their future work. In consultation with academic advisors, select 6 credit hours of coursework from these areas of interest.