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Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
Program Description
For complete course descriptions, click here.
The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at St. Catherine's educates you in the principles, practices and ethics of library and information science, imbues you with a sense of service to diverse populations and prepares you to be a lifelong learner and an active leader in a rapidly changing information society. To execute our mission and attain our vision, we are committed to the following: recruiting and retaining a highly qualified, diverse student body; providing a rigorous curriculum that ensures general competencies and specializations in the field of library and information science; maintaining a talented, dedicated and diverse faculty who are scholars and active participants in the library profession; providing innovative learning opportunities, grounded in practice and technology, to ensure that our students are fully prepared to meet the needs of their chosen profession; ensuring that all stakeholders in the MLIS program participate in making policies to ensure the highest-quality educational experience.
MASTER OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE DEGREE WITH SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CERTIFICATION
This Master of Library and Information Science degree program option is designed to educate school library media specialists. The prescribed course sequence also fulfills the requirements for the Minnesota School Library Media Specialist license.
The program is grounded in Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning, the national guidelines of the American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
By pursuing this option, you learn the principles of librarianship in general and service to children and young adults in particular. Developmental psychology of the child, pre-adolescent and adolescent is woven into the literature courses. The philosophy of education for elementary, middle and secondary school levels is an integral part of the curriculum. Information literacy, educator collaboration, integration of the library media program into school curriculum, instructional technology, literature-based curriculum, program administration, communication and professional development are some of the topics included in the curriculum. You graduate from this program with a firm understanding of the roles of the school library media specialist, the library media program within the school context and the extended school learning community. Graduates become educational leaders in their schools, districts and library systems.
CERTIFICATES OF SPECIAL STUDY (POST-MASTER’S)
For library and information science professionals who have earned an MLIS degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association, the MLIS program offers Certificates of Special Study (CSS) as part of its continuing education programs. These certificate programs are designed for those who want to:
- develop, upgrade and update current skills and knowledge.
- acquire knowledge in the operation of and planning for special services.
- learn the impact and potential of new technologies on library services.
- assume more administrative responsibilities in the information field.
ACCELERATED BACHELOR’S DEGREE/M.L.I.S. OPTION
Seniors in the baccalaureate program at St. Catherine's, with the consent of their academic advisor and the MLIS program director, may be admitted to take up to six semester credits in the MLIS program. These six credits may be applied to both the bachelor’s degree and the MLIS degree, thereby reducing the time required to complete the MLIS degree.
JURIS DOCTOR AND MASTER OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE DUAL DEGREE OPTION
If you wish to complete a J.D. degree through Hamline University Law School (HULS) and the MLIS degree at the same time you must complete both application processes and be admitted to each program. Upon admission to each program, you take your first year of study as part of the Hamline cohort. In the second and third years, you may register for courses in both programs. Six credits from an approved list of courses in the HULS curriculum will be accepted as meeting requirements for the MLIS law concentration program. Six credits from an approved list of courses in the MLIS curriculum will be accepted as meeting course requirements for the J.D. degree.
ARCHIVES CERTIFICATION
MLIS students who wish to pursue careers in archives may take the archival certification examination of the Academy of Certified Archivists following graduation. For more information, visit www.certifiedarchivists.org. Recommended courses for students who wish to pursue careers in archives:
LIS 7110 Early Books and Manuscripts
LIS 7120 History of the Printed Book
LIS 7130 Preservation and Conservation
LIS 7530 Internet Fundamentals and Web Design
LIS 7590 Digital Libraries
LIS 7750 Archival Administration and Services
LIS 7993 Practicum and one or more of the following:
LIS 8810 Advanced Archival Management
LIS 8820 Metadata for Internet Resources
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's 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.
MAOL INFORMATION SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY CONCENTRATION
Choose this option if you lead, or want to lead, an information services or system unit within an organization. The Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) will give you the tools to manage knowledge and information through the use of various technologies. Course work drawn from St. Catherine’s MLIS program will enrich your “information toolbox” while emphasis on ethics and leadership will give you a solid grounding for dealing with current issues — such as collecting competitive intelligence. See the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership section of this catalog for more information.
ACCREDITATION
St. Catherine's has been granted Candidacy status by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association (ALA). Candidacy status is an indication that St. Catherine's has voluntarily committed to participate in the ALA accreditation process and is actively seeking accreditation. Candidacy status does not indicate that the program is accredited, nor does it guarantee eventual accreditation of the program by ALA. A decision on accreditation is expected in January of 2011 with accreditation retroactive for degrees awarded in the 2009/2010 academic year.
Major Requirements
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The degree of Master of Library and Information Science is conferred upon candidates who have met the following requirements:
- completion of a minimum of 36 graduate semester credits, with a minimum of 30 credits completed in St. Catherine's MLIS program.
- attainment of a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- satisfactory completion of the core courses: LIS 7010, 7030, 7040 and one of the following: LIS 7700 or LIS 7730.
- completion of the degree program within five years.
- filing an Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar in the semester before the anticipated graduation date.
To fulfill the requirements for the MLIS degree with the Minnesota School Library Media Specialist licensure, you must:
- fulfill all the requirements for the MLIS degree.
- complete the prescribed school sequence of nine courses plus three electives (36 semester credits).
- complete supervised field experiences in library media centers.
- meet the general education and professional education requirements of the State of Minnesota.
- file an application for licensure with the Department of Education at St. Catherine's.
- pass the Minnesota Testing System test of basic skills and a test of subject matter knowledge (media).
OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORK EXPERIENCE AND INDEPENDENT STUDY
PRACTICUM
Practicum is a supervised, unpaid student work experience of 120 hours (10 hours x 12 weeks) in an approved library or information center under the direction of a MLIS faculty member. You meet periodically with the on-site supervisor and the faculty member to review your progress. In addition, a course research report, including a bibliography, is required. You must have completed the core courses and have approval of the faculty member and program director. You are encouraged to register for a practicum in the semester immediately prior to graduation. Academic credit is received for this course.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
If you wish to pursue a topic that is related to library and information science you may register for independent study (LIS 8010 Special Studies in Librarianship). You work closely with a faculty member whose expertise and interests lie within the proposed topic 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 permission of the program director. Forms for submission of independent study proposals are available in the MLIS Office. No student may complete more than two independent studies. You must have sufficient background to work independently and must develop a proposal for independent study that meets the approval of the faculty supervisor and the program director. The independent study topic 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 your performance in the independent study. An independent study is not a substitute for taking a class.
INTERNSHIP
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 and assists in matching internship opportunities with MLIS students. No academic credit is given for an internship.
INCOMPLETE GRADES
No more than six credits of incomplete grades may be accumulated at one time. If your incomplete grades exceed this level you 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
Up to six semester credits in library and information science earned in an ALA accredited program or up to six semester credits earned in a graduate level discipline demonstrably relevant to library and information science may be accepted for transfer into the MLIS program. You must request this in writing. Acceptance of transfer credit is based on the following conditions:
- the credits were earned in a program accredited by the American Library Association regardless of the format or location of delivery.
- the credits were part of the institution’s approved curriculum and were offered in a program leading to a degree or certificate.
- the credits were not taken through the institution’s extension program.
- the credits were earned with a grade of B or better.
- the credits were earned within the past five years.
MASTER OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE PROGRAM
The curriculum is organized around a group of basic required courses. These basic courses cover those aspects of library science that are essential for all library positions. Your program of study also includes elective courses in library science and in related subject areas, which equip you for a special field of library service. A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit in subject courses may be taken and applied toward the degree, provided that such courses are approved by the program director upon recommendation of the advisor and that all required courses for the MLIS degree have been completed. The program director’s approval is required prior to registration for subject courses.
The maximum load is nine credit hours per semester and six credit hours in either of the summer sessions.
Courses are offered weekends and evenings on the St. Paul campus. If you work full time you should not enroll in more than two courses per semester or one course in each summer session. Not all electives can be offered each term, so you may need to omit a term if pursuing a special course of study. No correspondence or extension courses are offered.
CURRICULUM
REQUIRED CORE COURSES
LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science
LIS 7030 Organization of Knowledge
LIS 7040 Reference and Online Services
One course selected from:
LIS 7700 Management of Libraries and Information Centers
LIS 7730 School Libraries
Electives: 24 credits
All courses require LIS 7010 as a prerequisite, therefore LIS 7010 is the recommended first course for all MLIS students. You are strongly urged to schedule the other three core courses as early in your program of study as possible. The majority of the elective courses require one or more courses as requisites. Requisites may be waived by the instructor. Note: the core courses — LIS 7010, 7030 and 7040 — are prerequisites for all 8000-level courses.
MASTER OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE WITH SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST LICENSE PROGRAM
STUDENTS WITH MINNESOTA STATE EDUCATION CREDENTIALS
If you already possess Minnesota state education credentials, the following program of nine specific LIS courses, three electives and field experience, meets the requirements for the MLIS degree plus the Minnesota School Library Media Specialist license.
CURRICULUM
REQUIRED CORE COURSES
LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science
LIS 7030 Organization of Knowledge
LIS 7040 Reference and Online Services
LIS 7730 School Libraries
LIS 7160 Communication for Leadership
LIS 7210 Library Materials for Children
LIS 7220 Library Materials for Young Adults
LIS 7240 Media Services and Production
LIS 7250 Curriculum and School Libraries
Electives: 9 credits
FIELD EXPERIENCES IN SCHOOL MEDIA CENTERS — REQUIRED
To put into practice the knowledge gained from course work, you complete field experiences in a variety of school library settings. Upon completion of required course work, students with a teaching license register for LIS 7283 Clinical Experience and Supervised Student Teaching. If you do not have a teaching license you will register for LIS 7286 Clinical Experience and Supervised Student Teaching. LIS 7283 and LIS 7286 do NOT count toward the MLIS degree.
- LIS 7283 (3 credits) is for educators with a current Minnesota teaching license. This is a combination of 200 hours of clinical observations and supervised student teaching.
- LIS 7286 (6 credits) is for students who do not possess Minnesota teaching credentials. This is a combination of 400 hours of clinical observations and supervised student teaching.
STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HOLD MINNESOTA TEACHING CREDENTIALS
If you do not hold Minnesota teaching credentials you must complete the courses listed above (nine specific LIS courses, nine elective credits and LIS 7286) and must also complete the following education courses, required to meet Minnesota state licensing requirements. These courses may be taken before or at the same time as the four core MLIS courses.
REQUIRED EDUCATION COURSES
EDUC 5070 Teachers as Leaders in a Changing Society
EDUC 5490 School Health and Chemical Health
EDUC 5800 General Methods: Elementary
EDUC 7550 Literacy in the Content Areas
Required supporting courses:
PSYC 1001 General Psychology
PSYC 2025 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
MINNESOTA SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST LICENSURE WITHOUT THE MLIS DEGREE
If you hold Minnesota state teaching credentials, you must complete the nine required LIS courses listed above (27 credits), LIS 7283, and pass the appropriate Praxis tests including Praxis II: Library Media Content. If you do NOT hold Minnesota state teaching credentials, you must complete the education and psychology classes (17 credits) and nine LIS courses (27 credits) listed above, LIS 7286 and pass the appropriate Praxis tests including Praxis I, Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching and Praxis II: Library Media Content.
PROGRESSION POLICY
You are expected to make appropriate academic progress leading to the successful completion of your degree. You are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) throughout the program.
CONDITIONS FOR PROBATION AND DISMISSAL
If your GPA falls below 3.0 upon taking nine semester credits you are placed on probation. If placed on probation, you must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the end of the term when the total credits taken equal or exceed 18. If you have not achieved the minimum GPA after taking 18 credits you will be dismissed from the program. St. Catherine'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 or who, for other reasons, is deemed unsuitable for the program.
Program Faculty:
Marilyn Cathcart, Assistant Professor. B.A., University of Washington; M.A., University of Minnesota.
Helen Humeston, Assistant Professor. B.A., Clarke College; M.A., Creighton University; M.L.I.S., University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee; Ph.D., University of Minnesota.
David Lesniaski, Assistant Professor. B.A., Haverford College; M.M., University of Kansas; M.L.S., University of Minnesota; D.M.A., University of Arizona.
Sook Lim, Assistant Professor. B.A, M.A., Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul, Korea; M.L.S., M.A., The State University of New York at Buffalo; Ph.D., The University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Susan Shoemaker, Associate Professor. B.A. Bryn Mawr College; M.L.S., Ph.D., University of Illinois
Deborah Torres, Assistant Professor. B.S., Kearney State College; M.L.I.S., Doctoral Candidate, University of Michigan.
Mary Wagner, Director of Graduate Program in Library and Information Science and Professor. B.A., The College of St. Catherine; M.L.S., University of Washington; Ph.D., University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.
Joyce Yukawa, Assistant Professor. B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University; A.M.L.S., University of Michigan; Ph.D., University of Hawaii.