Examples of Possible Careers*

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:

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.

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

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
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
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Medical Librarianship Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		37

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Course List

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

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	3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		12

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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