Dual Degree (3+2) Applicants

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following ACADEMIC requirements: 

• Junior status at St. Catherine University (minimum of 60 credits completed)
• Declare one of the following majors:
  • Communication Studies (pre-MLIS)
  • Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity (pre-MLIS)
  • Economics (pre-MLIS)
  • English (pre-MLIS)
  • Gender and Women's Studies (pre-MLIS)
  • History (pre-MLIS)
  • Political Science (pre-MLIS)
  • Public Policy (pre-MLIS)
  • Sociology (pre-MLIS)
• Grade Expectations
  • Cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
    • If GPA is below 3.0, students can submit an explanatory statement along with their application (more details below)
• Prerequisite Coursework
  • There are no prerequisite courses for the dual degree MLIS program
• Major Coursework
  • Major coursework must have a grade of C or higher
  • Pass/Fail or S/U grades are not permitted for major courses
• Courses may be repeated once for a better grade​

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following application requirements:

• Submission of admissions application
  • ​The final deadline for dual degree applications is July 1st after a student’s junior year
• If students are accepted, they will begin their first year of graduate classes (the dual degree year) the following fall, during their senior year. 
  • For example, if a student applies to the dual degree program by July 1st, 2026 (after their junior year) and is accepted into the program, they will start the program in Fall 2026 in their senior year and take a year’s worth of graduate classes
• No GRE required
• Admission Essay
  • Everyone must prepare an admission essay demonstrating written communication skills and clarifying their purpose in pursuing a graduate program in holistic health studies by addressing the following topics:
    • Interest in the field of library and information sciences
    • Background in related fields
    • Personal and professional goals for graduate study​
  • Do not exceed one typed, double spaced page for each topic. Please include your full name at the top of the essay
  • If you wish to submit the admission essay before the MLIS application, or if you are unable to upload the document to your Application Status page, you may send the essay as an attachment via email to graduateadmission@stkate.edu with “MLIS Admission Essay” in the subject line.
• All applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 must also include an explanatory statement. 
  • ​Please include an explanation of factors that affected previous academic performance, as well as your plan to ensure academic success in a graduate program.
  • This statement should be limited to 400 words and is in addition to the personal statement described above. 
  • If you have already submitted the MLIS application form, you may upload your explanatory statement via your Application Status page (instructions for accessing the status page were provided at the time you submitted the application). Please include your full name at the top of the statement.
• Resume
  • Submit a current résumé highlighting professional and/or volunteer experiences
  • If you have already submitted the MLIS application form, you may upload your résumé via your Application Status page (instructions for accessing the status page were provided at the time you applied)
  • If you wish to submit the résumé before the MLIS application, or if you are unable to upload the document to your Application Status page, you may send the résumé as an attachment via email to graduateadmission@stkate.edu with “MLIS Résumé” in the subject line.
• Two Letters of Recommendation (professional or academic only)
  • Two recommendations are required for MLIS applicants. Please complete the Recommendations section of the application form, including the names/contact information for your recommenders, before submitting the application. Recommender information cannot be added to the application after it has been submitted.
  • MLIS recommendation forms must be completed by individuals who can attest to the applicant's intellectual ability, professional competence, and leadership. Only professional or academic references will be considered; personal references are not acceptable.
  • A link to the recommendation form will be sent when the Recommendations section of the MLIS application form has been completed. Please alert your references in advance that they may receive an email from St. Catherine University. These are confidential recommendations submitted directly from the references to the Office of Graduate Admission; applicants who wish to view the recommendations are responsible for making the appropriate arrangements with their references.
• Transcript
  • The Office of Graduate Admission will access a current copy of the applicant's St. Catherine transcript via the Registrar Office; students do not need to order their St. Catherine University transcript to be sent to St. Catherine University
  • Please submit any other transcripts that are not currently on file with the university.
  • Need assistance ordering your official transcripts?  Contact your admission counselor for help! 
    • Email: graduateadmission@stkate.edu.
  • All documents must be up to date and include your name, your institution's name, and all courses taken with grades and degrees received (if applicable).
  • Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded using your applicant status page (a link is sent once you’ve started an application) or sent as an attachment to graduateadmission@stkate.edu.  
  • Electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing college or university to St. Kate's (at graduateadmission@stkate.edu) to be considered official
  • Paper transcripts must be mailed in a sealed envelope directly from the registrar of each institution to the Office of Graduate Admission at St. Catherine University (address below)

Once you’ve submitted your online application form, you will have access to your Application Status page to upload any supporting documents (instructions for accessing the status page are emailed at the time you applied). If you are unable to upload electronic documents to your Application Status page, you may send items as an attachment via email to graduateadmission@stkate.edu. Paper documents may be mailed to:

St. Catherine University
Graduate Admission #4027
2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their application is completed by the deadline. The Admission Committee will not review your application until we have received all required documents. Fulfillment of the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. No credentials (e.g. transcripts) will be returned to the applicant.

Before starting the MLIS program, students must complete 102 credits and ALL requirements noted here: the liberal arts core requirements, electives (if needed), and major coursework in the particular field of study. See the curriculum below for your specific major below.

Students admitted to the MLIS program will take graduate level coursework in their senior year, which will count towards both their undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

Students will be awarded their Bachelor's Degree at the end of their senior year after completing a year of graduate classes.

Students are encouraged to work with Academic Advising and the Financial Aid Office when planning for their senior year to ensure their eligibility for financial aid. 

After completion of their Bacehlor degree, students will complete any remaining graduate level courses to earn their Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree.

See the end of this section for the list of courses taken in fifth year.

**Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year complete the remaining course and degree requirements for the B.A. in Communication Studies, B.A. in Critical Studies of Race & Ethnicity, B.S. in Economics, B.A. in English, B.A. in Gender & Women's Studies, B.A. in History, B.S. in Political Science, B.S. in Public Policy, or B.A. in Sociology.**

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Communication Studies

Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the Communication Studies major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.A. degree.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
COMM 1000W	Communication Strategies for Social Justice	4
COMM 1030	Speaking to Lead and Influence	4
COMM 2050	Media, Culture and Society	4
COMM 3070W	Gender and Rhetoric	4
COMM 3100	Communicating across Cultures, Identities and Differences	4
COMM 4600	Leadership and the Art of Persuasion	4
COMM 4850	Senior Seminar	4
One additional 4000-level course		4
Total Credits		32

Critical Studies of Race & Ethnicity

Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.A. degree

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CRST 2050W	Foundations of Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity	4
CRST 3510	Sociology of Race and Ethnicity	4
CRST 4604	Internship	4
CRST 4850W	Senior Seminar	4
Four CRST Electives 1		16
Total Credits		32

¹

For a full list of CRST electives, please see the Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity catalog page.

Economics

Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.S. in Economics

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ECON 1090	Statistical Analysis for Decision Making	4
Choose two of the following:		8
ECON 1120	Economics of Social Issues
ECON 2610	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 2620	Principles of Macroeconomics
Choose one of the following (can use the other as an elective in the choose 12 credits section):		4
ECON 3050	Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills
ECON 4150W	Econometrics
ECON 3610	Microeconomic Theory	4
ECON 3620	Macroeconomic Theory	4
Select one MATH/STAT in consultation with advisor (strong preference for Applied Calculus)		4
Three additional 3000- or 4000-level courses in economics, chosen with the help of an advisor		12
Total Credits		40

English

Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.A. in English

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ENGL 1450	Introduction to Linguistics and Language	4
ENGL 3202	Literary Theory and Practice	4
Five electives, at least two of which are 3000 or 4000 level		20
Total Credits		28

Gender and Women's Studies

Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the Gender and Women's Studies major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.A. degree

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
WOST 2050W	Foundations of Gender and Women's Studies	4
WOST 3640	Feminist Theory	4
or WOST 3900	Feminist Philosophy
WOST 4604	Internship	4
WOST 4850W	Senior Seminar	4
Cross-Listed Courses 1
Choose one course with a global focus from:		4
WOST 3150	Women and Globalization
WOST 3450	Women's Issues from Global Perspectives
Or other 3000/4000-level WOST cross-listed course focused on global perspectives with permission of chair
One WOST course cross-listed in arts or humanities		4
One WOST course cross-listed in social sciences or sciences		4
One elective cross-listed with any department and WOST		4
Total Credits		32

¹

A list of eligible electives may be found on the Gender and Women's Studies catalog page. One elective course must also be cross-listed with Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity.

History

Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the History major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.A. degree

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Four history courses, 1000-level or above		16
Three history courses, 3000-level or above		12
HIST 4850W	Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone	4
Total Credits		32

Political Science

Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.S. in Political Science.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
POSC 1710W	Introduction to American Government and Policy	4
POSC 2200W	Introduction to Comparative Politics	4
POSC 2250	Introduction to World Politics	4
ECON 1090	Statistical Analysis for Decision Making	4
or SOCI 2200	People, Stories and Images: Qualitative Social Research
20 upper-division (3XXX or 4XXX level) credits in political science to be determined by the student and advisor (usually five 4-credit classes)		20
Total Credits		36

Public Policy

Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the Public Policy major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.S. degree.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ECON 1120	Economics of Social Issues	4
ECON 2610	Principles of Microeconomics	4
ECON 3050	Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills	4
ECON 3650	Cost-Benefit Analysis	4
POSC 1710W	Introduction to American Government and Policy	4
POSC 3070	Public Policy	4
Select three of the following (at least two must be at the 3000 level)		12
Any POSC course
Any ECON course
NPSO 2100	Intro to the Nonprofit Sector
NPSO 3050	Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
NPSO 4300	Development and Fundraising for Social Service Organizations
SOCI 2150	Challenging Oppressions, Civic Engagement and Change
SOCI 2700	Social Movements-Social Change
SOCI 3160	Migration, Citizenship, Community
SOCI 3210	Family, Identity and Inequality
SOCI 3340	Criminal Justice: From Policing to Punishment
SOCI 3860	Neighborhoods, Cities and Inequality
SOWK 2810	Introduction to Social Work
SOWK 3910	Social Policy for Social Change
Total Credits		36

Sociology Courses

Students who do not gain entry into the MLIS program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the Sociology major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.A. degree.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SOCI 1000	Principles and Concepts of Sociology	4
SOCI 3700W	Sociology in Action: Understanding Social Worlds	4
SOCI 4604	Internship	4
Select five additional courses in sociology		20
Total Credits		32

GRADUATE COURSES TAKEN DURING SENIOR YEAR

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
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
Select two LIS electives		6
Total Credits		18

GRADUATE COURSES TAKEN AFTER COMPLETION OF BACEHLOR'S DEGREE

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIS 7700	Management of Libraries and Information Centers	3
LIS 8900	ePortfolio	0
Technology course requirement - select one from technology designated courses		3
LIS Electives		12
Total Credits		18