Our ALA-accredited MLIS program* is a 36-credit hour program designed to develop your skills to work as a professional in libraries (school, public, and academic), archives, and data science.
The MLIS can be completed fully online either part-time or full-time to fit your schedule. Get started by learning about our admission requirements and coursework below.
*The Master of Library and Information Studies program at the University of Oklahoma is accredited by the American Library Association Committee on Accreditation, with the status of Continued accreditation. The next comprehensive review visit is scheduled for Spring 2029.
Before you apply, learn about OU's Graduate College requirements, what you need to have prepared, and the lifecycle of the graduate application. Get started by clicking the button below.
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The admission policy of the MLIS degree program has as its goal the selection of persons who are academically well qualified and who exhibit a potential for contributions in the area of library and information services.
In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, applicants must also meet the admissions requirements of the MLIS degree program. GRE scores are not required.
Compliance with those requirements is demonstrated by submission of the following documents:
Apply to the MLIS program through the Graduate Application. At this step you will select how you want to complete your MLIS program (traditional or online). If you plan to complete the traditional program, you will also select your campus (Norman or Tulsa).
The statement of purpose and goals is a one- to two-page essay stating your purpose and goals in applying to our program. In your statement, include the nature of your interest, how you became interested in this field, your short and long-term goals, the strengths you would bring to the information profession, and how the OU program will help meet your career and educational objectives. This essay will be included in the evidence on which the admission decision is based.
A Resume or CV is required. Please include information related to your educational and professional background, such as positions held, honors and awards, honors research topic and any presentations or publications.
Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. Applicants will be instructed to enter the name and email address of each recommender in the application. The recommender will then be sent an email with a link to upload a letter of recommendation. These recommenders should be persons familiar with the applicant’s scholastic or employment record.
For admission to full graduate admission standing in the School, the candidate must have a completed MLIS application and must be eligible for admission to degree status in the Graduate College. In addition, the School requires graduation from an accredited four-year college with a 3.0 cumulative GPA over their undergraduate and/or graduate work (on a 4-point scale where 4.00 is an A).
Applicants that do not meet the criteria for full admission to SLIS are evaluated by the Admissions and Scholarships Committee. All admission materials, not just the GPA, will be used in determining the admissibility of applicants.
A graduate of an accredited four-year institution whose grade point average is below 3.0 and who has met all other requirements for admission to full graduate standing may be admitted conditionally. Students admitted in a conditional admission status must meet specific requirements dictated by the Graduate College and the School. These requirements are established at the time of admission. For further information on conditional admission, applicants are urged to consult the current Graduate College Bulletin.
At this time, we do not have a pathway for international students to complete the degree online or in-person. Our traditional program does not offer enough face-to-face courses to qualify students for a visa.
Reach out to your Admissions Counselor for the program you are applying to. You can find their information or schedule an appointment with them by clicking the button below.
SLIS or the Admissions Office will not waive, decrease, or allow delay of the application fee.
To apply for any graduate program at OU, we require graduation from an accredited four-year college with a 3.0 cumulative GPA over their undergraduate and/or graduate work (on a 4-point scale where 4.00 is an A).
If you need to complete your bachelor’s degree, we have options within our School, including an accelerated option that allows you to start earning graduate credit while completing a bachelor’s of arts in information studies here at OU:
Bachelor of Arts in Information Studies (BAIS)
Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology (BSIST)
A specific undergraduate degree is not required, and OU offers a variety of other programs where you can complete your bachelors.
To get started, connect with an undergraduate admissions representative below:
The MLIS requires a total of 36 credit hours to complete the program.
Students are required to take a total of 6 core courses (18 credit hours total) to complete the MLIS degree along with 18 credit hours of elective coursework for the non-thesis option.
Current course descriptions are found in the OU General Catalog.
The course rotation document shows when we plan to offer our core courses and most electives. Use this document to aid in planning out your program.
These core courses are designed to develop a foundation of knowledge and develop skills required to work as a professional in the information field.
Elective courses are used to help you shape your MLIS degree to fit your professional goals and interests. Many students will use their electives to earn a Graduate Certificate in addition to their MLIS degree. Students will choose six elective courses (18 credit hours) to further customize their degree to meet their career goals.
Internship information, deadlines, and processes can be found on the SLIS Internship page.
LIS 5343 Archival Concepts and Traditions
LIS 5463 Archival Representation
LIS 5473 Documents and Records Management
LIS 5563 Archival Appraisal
LIS 5653 Preservation of Information Materials
LIS 5827 Internship (in an archival setting)
LIS 5970 Digital Curation
LIS 5970 Archives in the Museum Setting
LIS 5970 Archival Practice in the Digital Age
If this concentration interests you, you may also be interested in the Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies
LIS 5403 Cataloging and Classification
LIS 5443 Collection Development and Management
LIS 5453 Digital Collections
LIS 5623 Advanced Data Analytics
LIS 5643 Introduction to Data Analytics
LIS 5673 Introduction to Information Visualization
LIS 5693 Information Retrieval & Text Mining
LIS 5970 Data Stewardship
If this concentration interests you, you may also be interested in the Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics for Information Professionals
LIS 5123 Literature and Methods for Readers' Advisory Services
LIS 5173 Diversity Fundamentals in LIS
LIS 5203 Leadership in Information Organizations
LIS 5213 Social Informatics
LIS 5253 Community Relations and Advocacy
LIS 5503 Information Literacy and Instruction
LIS 5513 Information Sources and Services
LIS 5523 Online Information Retrieval
LIS 5133 Biomedical Bibliography and Reference Materials
LIS 5163 Biomedical Databases
LIS 5827 Internship (in a medical or health information setting)
LIS 5970 Health Informatics
LIS 5970 Community Health Information
To pursue certification in School Librarianship with your MLIS degree specific coursework is required. See the required courses for School Librarian Certification.
LIS 5223 Project Planning and Management
LIS 5533 Foundations of Learning Sciences (taught through the College of Education)
LIS 5613 Dynamic Web Development
LIS 5633 Web Design and Implementation
LIS 5683 Database Design for Information Organizations
LIS 5723 Cybersecurity Essentials
LIS 5183 Information Resources and Services for Children
LIS 5193 Information Resources and Services for Young Adults
LIS 5283 School Library Administration
LIS 5533 Foundations of Learning Sciences
LIS 5823 Internship in School or Public Library
LIS 5970 Makerspaces: Theory and Practice
Work with your advisor if you are interested in doing an independent course. These courses require additional permission and required forms prior to enrollment. See required forms on the Student Resources page.
LIS 5823 Internship in Library/Information Centers
LIS 5920 Directed Research
LIS 5940 Directed Project
LIS 5960 Directed Readings
LIS 5980 Research for Master’s Theses
LIS 5143 Government Information
LIS 5233 Oklahoma Information Environment
LIS 5970 Libraries and Popular Culture
LIS 5243 Comics and Graphic Novels in Libraries
Other OU graduate classes can be used as electives for the MLIS (up to 9 credit hours) with permission from your advisor. Work with your advisor if you have a special concentration that you would like to create. You may also need permission from the other department to enroll in their classes.
The OU Graduate College Welcome Portal provides newly admitted graduate students with a digital guide that helps them get ready for the next steps in their graduate school. Find your decision letter, a detailed checklist of next-step items, and resources about your specific college all in one convenient location.
Your OU account will provide you access to all university applications and resources.
Need assistance? Follow these steps from OU IT.
Your assigned faculty advisor is included in your recommendation email to the MLIS program. Email your advisor directly to set up an appointment to discuss your coursework and plans for the MLIS program.
If you do not know who your advisor is or would like to change advisors, contact in the SLIS office.
Enroll online at one.ou.edu. This resource also allows students to browse the class schedules, make trial schedules, and see your registration window. Login using your OUNetID and password.
The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Online Student Orientation is a short optional course to help ensure students are well prepared both technically and practically to take online courses.
The e-Portfolio is the End-of-Program Assessment (EoPA) that all non-thesis students must complete. The development of the e-Portfolio is an ongoing project that spans the length of your academic journey, beginning in this course! It is your responsibility to develop the content of the e-Portfolio beginning in your first semester, with completion and submission during your final semester. The e-Portfolio components will be examined in this course.
Start building your professional community right here at OU!
Oklahoma Library and Information Studies Students Association (OLISSA)
Use the resource above to get prepared for your first semester once you have received your official admission letter from the Graduate College.
Upon admission to the MLIS program, conditionally admitted students be notified of this status and will also receive a contract that outline the terms they must fulfill as part of their admission. You will work on these requirements with your faculty advisor as you plan your MLIS program.
Use the resource above to get prepared for your first semester once you have received your official admission letter from the Graduate College.
Start Here
Upon admission to the MLIS program, conditionally admitted students will also receive a contract that outline the terms they must fulfill as part of their admission. You will work on these requirements with your faculty advisor as you plan your MLIS program.
Complete the Program of Study form for your program:
Once you have the field as outline above completed, sign on the Student Signature line and return to the SLIS office (slisinfo@ou.edu). The SLIS office will have the Graduate Liaison review and sign the form then submit it to the Graduate College for final approval.
The Graduate College will send an email memo to the Student and SLIS office confirming approval of the Program of Study.
This form must be completed and approved by the Graduate College prior to graduation.
Complete the Intent to Present form to be approved to complete your End of Program Assessment:
This form must be complete with the student's information, ePortfolio link, and both the student's and advisor's signatures.
Return completed forms to the SLIS office (slisinfo@ou.edu)
All students graduating from the University of Oklahoma must apply for graduation through the Graduation Application link on the Academics tab in one.ou.edu.
For students who have applied and been admitted to a graduate certificate program in addition to their MLIS, the Graduate Certificate Program Report (GCPR) form is due in the Graduate College no later than the final semester of certificate coursework.
Use the resource above to get prepared for your first semester once you have received your official admission letter from the Graduate College.
Upon admission to the MLIS program, conditionally admitted students be notified of this status and will also receive a contract that outline the terms they must fulfill as part of their admission. You will work on these requirements with your faculty advisor as you plan your MLIS program.
Meet with your faculty advisor to select a thesis topic and thesis committee.
Review the Thesis Handbook and Graduate College Bulletin section 7.2 Master's Degree with Thesis:
Carefully review the steps, forms and find updated deadlines required for Thesis Students on the Graduate College's Steps to Degree page:
Complete the Program of Study form for your program:
Once you have the field as outline above completed, sign on the Student Signature line and return to the SLIS office (slisinfo@ou.edu). The SLIS office will have the Graduate Liaison review and sign the form then submit it to the Graduate College for final approval.
The Graduate College will send an email memo to the Student and SLIS office confirming approval of the Program of Study.
This form must be completed and approved by the Graduate College prior to graduation.
All students graduating from the University of Oklahoma must apply for graduation through the Graduation Application link on the Academics tab in one.ou.edu.
For students who have applied and been admitted to a graduate certificate program in addition to their MLIS, the Graduate Certificate Program Report (GCPR) form is due in the Graduate College no later than the final semester of certificate coursework.
Join the OU School of Library & Information Studies Alumni Association to stay in touch with friends and colleagues, to support future generations of information professionals, and to learn more about the growth and activities of the university.
Alumni that have graduated within the last three years have access to all services at no cost:
OU Career Center
The OU Alumni email service (alumni.ou.edu) is provided by Microsoft to graduates and retirees of OU.
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This Student Handbook of the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) at the University of Oklahoma represents the School's effort to provide information important for successful admission and completion of the School's graduate programs. It is designed to be used in conjunction with and as a supplement to the Graduate College Bulletin as well as other vital publications such as the OU Student Handbook, and the Graduate Assistantship information from the Graduate College. Read all of these documents carefully. Inform yourself of your rights and responsibilities.
According to the American Association of School Librarians:
“Today's school librarian works with both students and teachers to facilitate access to information in a wide variety of formats, instruct students and teachers how to acquire, evaluate and use information and the technology needed in this process, and introduces children and young adults to literature and other resources to broaden their horizons. As a collaborator, change agent, and leader, the school librarian develops, promotes and implements a program that will help prepare students to be effective users of ideas and information, a lifelong skill.”
To prepare you to work in this dynamic enviornment, specific coursework is required to complete to earn certification in School Librarianship. The full list of requirements and certification processes can be found on the MLIS School Librarianship page.
The OU Graduate College allows dual master's degrees to be pursued with any two master's programs that agree to the course plan approved by each department.
To obtain a dual degree, the student must satisfy the admission, course, and examination requirements of both programs including each end of program assessment or thesis requirements. Complete information can be found in the Graduate College's Bulletin Section 2.2.2 Dual Masters Degrees.
The most common dual master's degrees pursued by LIS students are with:
For more information about dual-degrees, contact us at slisinfo@ou.edu
Prospective Students
Students can start an application with the Graduate College to declare a generic dual degree to apply for a dual-program. Students must get approval from both programs and they must satisfy the admission requirements of each program.
Current Students
A student who is currently enrolled in the Graduate College can add an additional program by the online Addition or Change of Program application. To be admitted to a dual degree, the student must student must satisfy the admission requirements of the additional program.
