Graduate College Master of
Library and Information Science About the Program The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at St. Catherine University empowers you to become a leader in today’s complex and ever-changing global information environment. You’ll be a proactive and reflective practitioner with the skills to serve diverse populations as you find and share knowledge in print, digital and other formats. Accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), our program is informed by sound scholarly research and blends intellectual rigor with experience. Our graduate courses cover many areas, including: •
academic libraries
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archives and special collections
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digital libraries
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public libraries
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school libraries
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special libraries
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technical services
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youth services
Whether you are trying to advance, change or re-energize your career, St. Catherine's MLIS degree is a valuable investment. What you learn in our graduate program will open up opportunities - locally, nationally and internationally in a variety of areas, including multi-branch library systems, museums, military bases and Fortune 500 companies. In our MLIS program, learning is connected, inclusive and pragmatic. Your peers will span many age groups and bring a variety of life experiences to the classroom. You’ll gain a broad perspective of the profession and become familiar with a wide range of collaborative technologies. You will also work with the same library cataloging systems, electronic resource management software and digital library platforms used by professionals in the field.
For those interested in working in a K–12 setting, our School Library Media Specialist (SLMS) program prepares media specialists at the elementary, middle and secondary levels. School library media specialists manage the library/media center of their schools. They collaborate with teachers and other staff to develop curricula and integrate resources into teaching and learning. They promote reading in a variety of formats and guide students to become effective users of ideas and information. They seek, select, evaluate and use electronic and print resources, and instruct teachers and students in the use of those resources. Our Curriculum The 36-credit MLIS degree can be completed in approximately two years. Classes are held online in both synchronous and asynchronous meeting formats. The online SLMS program can be completed as a license-only option for 33 credits, or as part of the MLIS degree for 36 credits. Additional courses are required for SLMS students who do not hold a current Minnesota teaching license. Our MLIS program engages in ongoing, systematic curricular planning to ensure quality coursework that is always current and applicable. Our curriculum is grounded firmly in traditional library and information science areas of interest, while embracing current topics. SLMS students learn the principles of librarianship in general, and services 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 our curriculum. In our graduate program you’ll learn to gather, analyze and critically evaluate information so you may develop reasonable arguments, sound judgments and effective solutions. You’ll also enhance your ability to solve ethical dilemmas while staying true to your own convictions. This takes self-reflection and courage. At St. Catherine, you will further develop your attitudes and behaviors that reflect integrity, honesty, compassion and justice in both your personal and professional life.