Program Overview

The M.L.I.S. degree program in Kent State University's School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) has a history of excellence. As the only American Library Association-accredited master's program in Ohio, SLIS at Kent State is renowned for library and information science scholarship, research and education in the state, and ranks among the top 20 programs in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Read more about how the M.L.I.S. program is evaluated by the American Library Association (ALA) Committee on Accreditation.

Students in the M.L.I.S. program prepare for professional careers in all types of libraries and information centers, as well as for positions within the information industry. They may pursue a general M.L.I.S. degree, or may choose from the specializations listed below.

• VIDEO: How to find information on the specializations and corresponding guidesheets (Rhonda Filipan, M.A., M.L.S., LIS Academic Program Coordinator)

LIS Career Paths and Guidesheets

• Academic Librarianship
  
• Archival or Special Collections Librarianship
  
• Cataloging or Metadata
  
• Children's Librarianship
  
• Digital Librarianship / Digital Initiatives
  
• Digital Preservation
  
• Information Technology and Information Science
  
• K-12 School Librarianship
  
• Library Management
  
• Museum Studies
  
• Public Librarianship
  
• Reference Librarianship
  
• Special Librarianship
  
• Young Adult Librarianship

Requirements for Graduation

The M.L.I.S. degree requires 37 semester hours for students under catalog year 2013 (36 semester hours for catalog years 2012 and before).  Students earning the M.L.I.S. with K-12 school library media licensure complete 39 semester hours of coursework if under the catalog year 2011 and after (36 semester hours for catalog year 2010 and before). This option is available only to students who have current standard teaching credentials in the state of Ohio.

Required Courses

All M.L.I.S. students must take the following core courses:

• LIS 60000 Tools for M.L.I.S. Success
  
• LIS 60001 Access to Information
  
• LIS 60002 Organization of Information
• LIS 60003 Information Technology for Library and Information Professionals
  
• LIS 60600 Foundations of Library and Information Science
• LIS 60610 Management for Library and Information Professionals
  
• LIS 60670 Culminating Experience OR LIS 60199/60299 Thesis

Students are expected to complete all requirements for the master's degree and graduate within six (6) consecutive years from the date of initial enrollment. Students who exceed this time limit may petition for a one-year extension.