Master of Library and Information Science - MLIS
Vision
To prepare information professionals who empower communities and champion justice for an equitable world.
Mission
Our graduate program prepares students to lead through a student-centered education rooted in social responsibility. We provide authentic learning that connects theory and practice, fosters community engagement, and prepares graduates for socially conscious careers in the library and information professions.
Values Statement
Empowerment through information
- We empower individuals through information access and creation to foster critical thinking and problem solving.
Social justice
- We actively work to eliminate the root causes of social injustice and oppression (including racism, sexism, and ableism) within our profession and community.
Inclusive leadership
- We prepare professionals to lead and collaborate inclusively.
Student centered
- We prioritize the academic, professional, and holistic well-being of every student.
Authentic learning experiences
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We provide real-life, educational experiences that apply best practices to maximize student learning.
Community engagement
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We build strong collaborations within and beyond LIS communities to enhance student learning and create positive societal impact.
Goals and Objectives
Education: Create a rigorous, innovative online program and curriculum that meets student needs.
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Increase the quality of the online program, curriculum, and instruction.
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Develop co-curricular events to better meet student needs and desires.
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Create new professional development programs for students.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Increase program commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion through a social justice lens in our curriculum.
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Provide mentoring and training opportunities for students from underrepresented groups.
Sustainability: Improve the sustainability and financial stability of the program.
- Rebuild the MLIS Program enrollment levels.
- Increase student retention.
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Advocate for ongoing administrative support, financial support, and resources to ensure that the program can attain its goals and objectives over time.
Student Learning Outcomes
The outcomes of the MLIS degree program are to develop information literate, reflective practitioners who have these abilities:
SLO 1 Information for People: Demonstrate understanding of the philosophical, historical, and ethical foundations of the field and apply library and information science principles and practices.
SLO 2 Social Justice: Demonstrate understanding of issues of power, privilege, and marginalization in society and in the LIS professions in order to analyze inequities in library and information services and work to empower marginalized groups.
SLO 3 Research: Demonstrate understanding of research methods and the interdisciplinary nature of LIS in order to apply research methods to improve practice, critically evaluate the work of others, and answer questions in the profession.
SLO 4 Technology: Demonstrate understanding of the social, cultural, and ethical implications of technologies and use this understanding to critically analyze, select, use, apply, and evaluate technologies in the information environment.
SLO 5 Literacy and Learning: Demonstrate understanding of the evolving set of literacy skills and ways to promote literacy learning for self-actualization and participation in a global society.
SLO 6 Leadership: Demonstrate understanding of and apply principles of leadership, management, advocacy, and communication to professional practice.
Accreditation
The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) with the status of conditional accreditation. The next comprehensive review visit is scheduled for Fall 2026. It is the only Minnesota-based library and information science program. See the ALA website for Directory Information: http://www.ala.org/accreditedprograms/directory.
Contact information for the American Library Association (ALA): 225 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1300; phone: (800) 545-2433.
Incomplete Grades
No more than six credits of incomplete grades may be accumulated at one time. If incomplete grades exceed this level, students will be restricted from further registration until incomplete course work is completed.
Years to Complete the Program
The degree program must be completed within five years.
Transfer of Credit
Non-matriculated students may transfer a maximum of nine semester graduate credits or 20.25 quarter graduate credits from an accredited MLIS program. The program director will decide whether to accept transfer credit upon admission based on a review of the applicant's transcript(s). Only courses with a letter grade of B or better will be accepted, assuming the course(s) meets the program's criteria for relevancy and accreditation standards. The student must provide a course description and a syllabus comparable to a course in the university catalog.
Non-matriculated students seeking the Library Media Specialist initial licensure without a current Tier 3 or 4 teaching license and who need to complete the additional foundational teaching courses listed under their requirements can transfer in credits for these courses outside of the MLIS credit limit. These courses will be determined by either the course transfer system or by evaluating each course for meeting the licensure objectives.
Current students may transfer a maximum of six semester graduate credits or 13.5 quarter graduate credits from another regionally accredited institution or another program at St. Catherine University to apply to the 36 credits of the MLIS degree. The course must be relevant to the student’s chosen career path and may not be identical to a course offered in the MLIS Program of St Catherine University. Students must receive approval from their academic advisor and the MLIS Program Director prior to taking the course they wish to transfer in. Sufficient evidence for the advisor to make a decision will be provided by the student requesting a transfer.
Conditions for Probation and Dismissal
Students are expected to make appropriate academic progress leading to the successful completion of their degrees. Students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) throughout the program. MLIS students must have a final GPA of 3.0 in order for the degree to be awarded. Students who do not maintain a B average or who earn more than one grade of C or lower may be asked to withdraw from the program.
If the GPA falls below 3.0 upon taking nine semester credits, students are placed on probation. If placed on probation, they must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the end of the term when the total credits taken equal or exceed 18.
Students not achieving the minimum GPA after taking 18 credits will be dismissed from the program. St. Catherine University’s MLIS program reserves the right to deny registration to any student who, in the opinion of the Program, is not progressing satisfactorily toward a degree.
Students must receive a grade of B- or greater in the following MLIS core courses or must retake the course.
Opportunities for Work Experience and Independent Study
Practicum
Practicum is a supervised, student work experience of 120 hours (generally 10 hours x 12 weeks) in an approved library or information center under the direction of a MLIS faculty member. Students meet with the faculty member in a seminar setting. Certain key assignments must be completed.
Students enrolling in the Practicum should have completed the core courses and have approval from the instructor or MLIS Program Director. Students are encouraged to register for a practicum after completing 24 credits or higher. Academic credit is received for this course.
Independent Study
Students wishing to research a topic that is related to library and information science that is not covered in the MLIS curriculum may register for independent study (LIS 6953 Independent Study), working closely with a faculty member whose expertise and interests lie within the proposed research area.
Independent studies are designed for students who have completed eight courses of their program and have a grade point average of 3.3 or better or with the permission of the MLIS Program Director. The form for submission of an independent study proposal is available online on the Registrar's Forms page. No student may complete more than two independent studies.
Students must have sufficient background to work independently and must develop a proposal for independent study that meets the approval of the faculty supervisor and/or the MLIS Program Director. The independent study should be of sufficient academic and scholarly substance and merit to be worthy of at least three credits, and it should result in a product that will document both the substance and merit of the study. An independent study is not a substitute for taking a class.
Internship
No academic credit is given for an internship. An internship is a student work experience in a library or information center for which the sponsoring institution may or may not pay the student for hours worked. The sponsoring institution sets the hours, interviews the student, and provides any job training required. The MLIS office posts notices of internships.
Dual Degree Programs for MLIS
St. Catherine University offers a fast track, "3+2" dual degree option for MLIS for a limited number of St. Kate's students enrolled as bachelor's degree-seeking students in the following majors. Refer to the Pre-Library and Information Science (Masters) section of the undergraduate catalog for details.
- Communication Studies
- Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity
- Economics
- English
- History
- Political Science
- Public Policy
- Sociology
- Women’s Studies
Qualifying students will complete their undergraduate major in three years. In their fourth year - while still enrolled at the undergraduate level - students will begin taking MLIS courses while completing remaining undergraduate courses. In their fifth year, students will complete the MLIS degree while enrolled as graduate students. Eligible students must meet all MLIS admission requirements.
Program for St. Catherine Undergraduate Seniors Taking MLIS Courses
Qualified seniors enrolled at St. Catherine University have the opportunity to take 1-3 courses (up to 9 credits) in the MLIS program while completing their undergraduate degree. These graduate credits count as electives toward the bachelor’s degree, or (with approval) as course replacements within the student’s major in the undergraduate program. Additionally, the credits apply toward the graduate degree if the student is admitted into the MLIS program after completing the bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility
Undergraduate students must meet the following conditions to be eligible for the Program:
- Current enrollment in a St. Catherine bachelor’s degree program (CFW or CFA)
- Completion of at least 90 semester credits by the first day of the graduate class
- Completion of at least 16 credits in residence in the CFW or CFA bachelor’s program
- An institutional cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- In need of elective credits (or approved course replacement within the major) to complete their bachelor’s degree requirements
- Approval from the Academic Advising Office
Please note: being eligible for the program (based on the above criteria) does not guarantee approval by the MLIS program director to enroll in a graduate-level course.
Application
Interested students must meet with Academic Advising to confirm eligibility and to obtain guidance in completing the following application requirements for MLIS consideration:
- Personal statement indicating professional background and personal goals (one page)
- Current résumé
- One recommendation completed by a St. Kate’s faculty member, attesting to the student’s readiness for graduate academic rigor
Students who are eligible for the Program will submit the above required documents to their academic advisor, who will forward the material (along with a copy of the student’s current St. Catherine University transcript) to the MLIS Program Director for review. If the Program Director approves the request for graduate-level enrollment, the director and student will discuss course options for the upcoming semester(s). The student then works with her academic advisor to register for the graduate course(s) during the upcoming registration period.
Both the Academic Advising Office and the MLIS program reserve the right to limit the number of undergraduate students in the graduate courses. Students who receive approval for graduate enrollment will be registered for specific graduate courses on a first-come, first-served basis. Undergraduate students must complete all of the course work and meet the same academic expectations required of the graduate students in the MLIS classes.
Acceptance to the Program and enrollment in a graduate-level course does not guarantee admission into the full MLIS degree program (or other St. Catherine University graduate programs) if the student applies for graduate admission in the future.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Applicants in the following categories may be admitted as non-degree seeking students:
- students in other graduate library and information science programs, if the institution in which they are enrolled will accept credit earned at St. Catherine University as part of the requirements for their graduate degree
- students enrolled in other graduate degree programs needing a course to complete certification requirements for a specific degree, and with permission of the MLIS Program Director
- students with a previously earned MLIS degree
Tuition for a graduate non-degree seeking student is the same as for degree-seeking students. Non-degree seeking students are limited to two MLIS courses for a total of six semester credits, and are not eligible for financial aid.
The MLIS program is designed to educate entry-level librarians and information specialists and provide the educational foundations for lifelong professional development. Students may prepare for positions in public and academic libraries, schools or specialized libraries in the public and private sectors.
The 36-credit curriculum is composed of a range of courses to prepare students for professional responsibilities in a diverse spectrum of libraries and information organizations. There is no thesis requirement. The maximum load is nine credit hours per semester and six credit hours in the summer session.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| LIS 6100 | MLIS Orientation | 0 |
| LIS 7010 | Introduction to Library and Information Science | 3 |
| LIS 7030 | Organization of Knowledge | 3 |
| LIS 7040 | Information Access Services | 3 |
| LIS 7050 | Research Methods for Library Information Science | 3 |
| LIS 7700 | Management of Libraries and Information Centers | 3 |
| LIS 8900 | ePortfolio | 0 |
| Electives | 18 | |
| Technology Course (Choose one): | 3 | |
| Database Management | ||
| Web Design and Accessibility | ||
| Making and Makerspaces | ||
| Digital Libraries | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
All courses require LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science as a prerequisite, and therefore LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science is the recommended first course for all MLIS students. Students should schedule the other core courses as early in their program of study as possible.
We are in the process of adding LIS 7500 Digital Libraries to the technology list. Students who have taken that course may work with their advisors to request a substitution of that course for the technology requirement during the transition.
The majority of the elective courses require one or more courses as prerequisites. Prerequisites may be waived by the instructor. Students should contact the instructor if requesting a prerequisite waiver.
Fall Start
This is a generalized term-by-term plan for the average MLIS student admitted in Fall 2026. Students should meet with an advisor to develop a more specific plan suited to their needs.
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| LIS 6100 | 0 | LIS 7040 | 3 | LIS 7050 | 3 |
| LIS 7010 | 3 | Pathway Elective | 3 | ||
| LIS 7030 | 3 | ||||
| 6 | 6 | 3 | |||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| Pathway Elective | 3 | LIS 7700 | 3 | Pathway Elective | 3 |
| Technology Elective | 3 | Pathway Elective | 3 | ||
| 6 | 6 | 3 | |||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | ||||
| LIS 8900 | 0 | ||||
| Pathway Elective | 3 | ||||
| Pathway Elective | 3 | ||||
| 6 | |||||
| Total Credits: 36 | |||||
Spring Start
This is a generalized term-by-term plan for the average MLIS student admitted in Spring 2027. Students should meet with an advisor to develop a more specific plan suited to their needs.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||
| LIS 6100 | MLIS Orientation | 0 |
| LIS 7010 | Introduction to Library and Information Science | 3 |
| LIS 7030 | Organization of Knowledge | 3 |
| Summer | ||
| LIS 7040 | Information Access Services | 3 |
| Fall | ||
| LIS 7700 | Management of Libraries and Information Centers | 3 |
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Summer | ||
| LIS 7050 | Research Methods for Library Information Science | 3 |
| Fall | ||
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Technology Elective | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| LIS 8900 | ePortfolio | 0 |
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Summer Start
This is a generalized term-by-term plan for the average MLIS student admitted in Summer 2027. Students should meet with an advisor to develop a more specific plan suited to their needs.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||
| LIS 6100 | MLIS Orientation | 0 |
| LIS 7040 | Information Access Services | 3 |
| Fall | ||
| LIS 7010 | Introduction to Library and Information Science | 3 |
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| LIS 7030 | Organization of Knowledge | 3 |
| LIS 7700 | Management of Libraries and Information Centers | 3 |
| Summer | ||
| LIS 7050 | Research Methods for Library Information Science | 3 |
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Technology Elective | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| LIS 8900 | ePortfolio | 0 |
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Summer | ||
| Pathway Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |