MLIS in Library and Information Science
The University of Missouri’s Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) program prepares students to be leaders in the information professions. Our fully online program offers the only Master’s Degree in the state of Missouri that has been continuously accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) since 1966/67. We offer joint degrees with the JD School of Law (JD/MLIS) and the School of Public Affairs (MPA/MLIS), and transcripted emphasis areas in Archival Studies, Health and Medical Librarianship, Youth Services, Learning Development & Design, and PK-12 School Library Media Specialist.
Degree Requirements
The MLIS program consists of 39 credit hours, including 19 credits of required courses. Elective courses are selected in consultation with faculty advisers.
- Must include 15 credit hours at or above the 8000 level.
- Must include 12 hours of courses taught by a full-time faculty member.
Classes are 100% online, but some classes have a synchronous (real-time interaction) component. Course registration materials will indicate whether a course has synchronous sessions and, if so, the meeting times.
For additional information about planning your Program of Study, see the LIS Student Resources and Courses pages.
| Required Courses to be Taken Before ePortfolio | ||
| IS_LT 7305 | Foundations of Library and Information Science | 3 |
| IS_LT 7301 | Library and Information Technology | 3 |
| or IS_LT 7320 | Emerging Technologies in Libraries | |
| IS_LT 7312 | Principles of Cataloging and Classification | 3 |
| or IS_LT 7302 | Organization of Information | |
| IS_LT 7313 | Collection and Access Management | 3 |
| IS_LT 7314 | Reference Sources and Services | 3 |
| IS_LT 7315 | Management of Information Agencies | 3 |
| Elective Courses: 20 hours of elective credits, at least 15 of which are 8000-level or above | ||
| Required ePortfolio to be taken in final fall or spring semester (1 credit hour) | ||
| IS_LT 9499 | Library and Information Science ePortfolio | 1 |
Dual Degree Option: MLIS and MPA in Public Affairs
This online joint degree requires a total of 51 credit hours, including 21 required credit hours for the MLIS program, 18 required credit hours for the MPA program, and 12 credit hours to be shared between the two programs. Applicants to the dual degree program must apply and be admitted to each program individually.
| Library & Information Science courses (21 credits) | ||
| IS_LT 7301 | Library and Information Technology | 3 |
| or IS_LT 7320 | Emerging Technologies in Libraries | |
| IS_LT 7302 | Organization of Information | 3 |
| or IS_LT 7312 | Principles of Cataloging and Classification | |
| IS_LT 7305 | Foundations of Library and Information Science | 3 |
| IS_LT 7313 | Collection and Access Management | 3 |
| IS_LT 7314 | Reference Sources and Services | 3 |
| IS_LT 7315 | Management of Information Agencies | 3 |
| IS_LT 7381 | Practicum in Information Agencies | 2-3 |
| Public Affairs courses (18 credit hours) | ||
| PUB_AF 7520 | Human Resources Management and Development in Public and Nonprofit Sector | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8110 | Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Management | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8170 | Public Policy Processes and Strategies | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8180 | Research Methods and Inquiry in Public Affairs I | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8181 | Research Methods and Inquiry in Public Affairs II | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8210 | Public Service and Democracy | 3 |
| Select 2 additional courses from each program for a total of 12 credit hours | ||
| PUB_AF 8720 | Budgeting and Financial Management in the Nonprofit Sector | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8510 | Public Budgeting and Taxation | 3 |
| PUB_AF 7540 | Local Government Management | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8530 | Strategic Management of Public Service Organizations: People, Information and Money | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8830 | Grant Writing I | 3 |
| IS_LT 9408 | Information Policy | 3 |
| IS_LT 9413 | Electronic Resource Management | 3 |
| IS_LT 9012 | Marketing and Community Partnerships in Libraries | 3 |
| IS_LT 9453 | Planning and Evaluation of Information Services | 3 |
| IS_LT 9443 | The Academic Library | 3 |
| or IS_LT 9444 | The Public Library | |
Sample Plan of Study
A student’s own plan of study will vary depending on their pace in the program and individual choices. A full-time graduate student takes 9 hours per semester, and part-time students may take 3 or 6 hours. Recommended first classes include IS_LT 7305 Foundations of Library & Information Science and IS_LT 7301 Introduction to Information Technology or IS_LT 7320 Emerging Technologies in Libraries, followed by other required courses. Some electives are offered biannually, so we recommend that students work with their advisor to create a plan of study that meets their expectations. The LIS Tentative Course Rotation document indicates when each class will be offered. Programs of Study (M-1)s for dual degrees and emphasis areas are available on the MLIS Forms page, including the M-1 for the general MLIS.
Thesis/Non-Thesis Requirements
No thesis is required for the MLIS.
Comprehensive Examination Process
Prior to graduation, all students must complete a Graduate Examination requiring them to demonstrate mastery of the LIS Student Learning Outcomes. The MLIS assessment is the ePortfolio. ePortfolios support students’ ability to demonstrate thoughtful reflection on their time in the Program and what they learned. Students will include artifacts created as part of their coursework during the program and reflect on how each relates to their understanding of the SLOs. Typically, students create their ePortfolio in the last regular (fall or spring) semester.
Practicum
All students are encouraged to complete a two- or three-hour practicum as part of the degree. The practicum is real-world experience in libraries and information agencies. Sometimes the practicum is an experience in another part of a library (public services versus technical services), in another kind of library (special versus academic), or in a different institution entirely (e.g., museums). Students are invited to tailor their practicum experience to their own needs and circumstances, including geography and specific areas you want to explore. For more information, please see our Practicum page.
Admissions
Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum qualifications for admission: the requirements of the MLIS and the minimum requirements of the graduate faculty, enforced by the MU Graduate School.
- Undergraduate GPA (Grade Point Average): Minimum 3.0 in last 60 hours of degree
- GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for any course work beyond the undergraduate level.
- GRE testing is not required.
- For international applicants, our MLIS requires a TOEFL score of 100 (0-120 scale) or 5 (1-6 scale), IELTS score of 7.5, or a Duolingo score of 130 for all international applicants from countries not listed under Exemptions and Waivers.
How to Apply
- Prepare electronic versions of your resume, responses to essay question prompts, two letters of recommendation, and unofficial transcripts for your previous coursework. If admitted, you will be required to supply official transcripts.
- Apply using MU’s online Graduate Application system. Follow the instructions and upload the requested files.
Deadlines
- February 15, for priority decisions for Fall admission
- May 1, for Fall admission
- October 15, for Spring admission
- Admission Decisions
Once all your application materials are complete, we will review them and notify you of the decision. Most decisions are made within six weeks after the deadline date.