Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

The goal of the Master’s in Library and Information Studies is to educate students who understand and can apply the core competencies of library and information studies as articulated by the American Library Association (ALA). To achieve this goal, our six required core master’s courses align with six of the nine ALA core competencies as follows:

• Gateway Knowledge
  • LIS 5033 Information and Society
• Management and Administration
  • LIS 5023 Management of Information Organizations
• Organization of Recorded Knowledge and Information
  • LIS 5043 Organization of Information
• Reference and User Services
  • LIS 5053 Information Seeking and Use
• Research and User Services
  • LIS 5713 Research and Evaluation Methods
• Technological Knowledge and Skills
  • LIS 5063 Fundamental of Information Technology

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the MLIS degree program, students should be able to: 

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of LIS theories, principles, and practices. 
• Demonstrate an ability to evaluate, critically analyze, and synthesize information from multiple sources. 
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. 
• Employ technology to analyze, design, and provide solutions to information problems. 
• Critically evaluate research and literature in the LIS field; - Demonstrate application of quantitative and qualitative research methods to systematic inquiry in LIS. 
• Use cultural competency to interact appropriately with people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and identities.

Program-level Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the MLIS: 

The SLOs are equivalent to the program objectives but are written below with greater detail and definitions. 

SLO 1 Core Knowledge. Graduates demonstrate advanced knowledge of LIS theories, history, principles, and practices, including advocacy for underserved groups. Core knowledge is reflected in the ALA Accreditation Standard II: 

• II.1 Ethics and Values. Program-level learning outcomes and curriculum are designed to incorporate the philosophy, principles, and ethics of the field, including the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and relevant professional codes of ethics.
• II.2 Program-Level Learning Outcomes. Program-level learning outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. The outcomes are informed by the most recent statement of ALA Core Competences, ALA Core Values and include a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. For areas of specialization, outcomes are informed by knowledge and competency statements developed by relevant professional organizations. Programs regularly evaluate the attainment of program-level learning outcomes. Learning outcomes are consistent regardless of mode of delivery.
• II.3 Curriculum. The program provides a curriculum that enables students to achieve the identified program-level learning outcomes. The curriculum addresses information users, resources, services, and technologies to facilitate information management and use, across diverse contexts and communities. Beyond the required curriculum, programs shall offer additional courses to provide both greater depth and breadth of material. Programs have the option of grouping courses together to create areas of specialization. The curriculum is revised regularly to keep it current.  

SLO 2 Intellectual Skill. Graduates demonstrate an ability to find, collect, evaluate, critically analyze, organize, synthesize, and disseminate and preserve information, in different information formats, from multiple sources.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to: 

• Demonstrate critical thinking including explaining issues and developing well-articulated arguments and conclusions. 
• Demonstrate an ability to analyze complex issues within an LIS context. 
• Demonstrate an ability to identify and utilize relevant data and reasoning as a foundation for problem solving, such as in collection management and fiduciary planning.   
• Demonstrate an ability to engage in creative thinking and creative problem solving. 

SLO 3 Professional and Scholarly Communication. Graduates demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. 

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to: 

• Demonstrate competence in writing effectively at the professional level in a variety of venues which may include professional interpersonal communication; creating reports, finding aids, and technical documents; writing scholarly publications, grant proposals, or presentations; communicating through social and digital media; and developing materials for instruction, programs, and services. 
• Demonstrate competence in oral communication skills as applied in communicating with colleagues, staff in management settings, user populations, and stakeholders; in instruction, presentation, programs, and services (including reference interviews); and in formal and informal settings. 
• Understand the importance of lifelong learning and continuing education’s role in maintaining and enhancing effective communication skills. 

SLO 4 Technology. Graduates are able to analyze, design, and provide solutions to information problems through appropriate and changing technologies as well as to conduct regular technology evaluations.   

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to: 

• Understand fundamentals of current technologies that facilitate information management and use in the lifecycle of recorded information, from creation through various stages of use to disposition. 
• Apply technological tools to effectively manage information resources, including integrated library systems, and provide information services. 
• Use human-centered design to satisfy users’ information needs and solve information problems in technologically intensive environments. 
• Understand inherent security, social, political, and ethical issues in information technology. 

SLO 5 Methods and Analysis. Evaluate existing research literature and have the ability to design appropriate and ethical research methodologies, including the ability to engage with research foundations.    

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to: 

• Understand and critically evaluate research and professional literature in the LIS field. 
• Understand the importance of research, including multidisciplinary research, to the advancement of knowledge and practice in the LIS field. 
• Apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods and techniques to conduct systematic inquiry for basic research, evaluation research, and evidence-based practice in LIS. 

SLO 6 Diversity. While maintaining cultural humility, graduates are able to effectively participate in the ongoing active identification of and respectful responses to various information needs and perspectives of diverse communities in a global society, particularly those of marginalized or otherwise underserved individuals, groups, and populations while addressing oppression and past inequities.   

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to: 

• Understand the ethical and societal value of diversity [broadly defined to include ability, age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status] within a democratic society, and express professional commitment to its appropriate application in various information environments while being aware of cultural biases. 
• Understand the human, social, management, and policy issues inherent in any design for organization of information and knowledge resources, and apply appropriate theories, techniques, technologies, or tools in addressing specific user and community needs and requirements in organizing these resources. 
• Understand the complexities of users’ diverse information needs as well as the community and cultural influences on their selection, use, and evaluation of both formal and informal information and knowledge sources and systems, and apply appropriate theories, techniques, technologies, or tools in facilitating access and in assisting and empowering users. 
• Demonstrate an ability to identify emerging formats and genres of information resources that reflect diverse and cultural needs of communities. 
• Understand managerial and non-managerial roles and responsibilities in creating and sustaining diverse information work environments that maximize multiple perspectives and equitable* partnerships as well as apply appropriate theories, techniques, technologies, or tools by which these can be implemented within specific organizational settings. 
• Understand the importance of incorporating social justice and human rights (such as the United Nations’ Universal Recognition of Human Rights) into the library and information profession.