The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) Program

The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) Committee on Accreditation, with the status of initial accreditation. The next comprehensive review visit is scheduled for 2028.

This new academic standard will be applicable as of the Fall 2020 semester.

To graduate from the MLIS program, all students must complete 36 credits including ILS 502, ILS 505, ILS 507, ILS 508, ILS 509*, and ILS 582 with a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0.
A minimum grade of “B-“ is required in each of the five core courses (ILS 502, ILS 505, ILS 507, ILS 508, ILS 509). Core courses completed with a grade of less than "B-" (e.g., C+, C) will not be counted toward the program course requirements, but the grade will be calculated in the program and overall graduate grade point average.
Elective courses completed with a grade of less than "C" will not be counted toward the program course requirements, but the grade will be calculated in the program and overall graduate grade point average.

*If a student were in a Dual Program (MLIS + SLMS), ILS 545 replaces ILS 509.

TK20 Requirement
All students in the MLIS program are required to purchase TK20 accounts. For information on the TK20 Assessment System and how to purchase it, please go to the School of Education's website at https://inside.southernct.edu/tk20

Program Assessment

1. Retention rate

Retention & Persistence
MLIS
As of Aug 11, 2020
Source: Institutional Research


Persistence of IPEDS Cohort	2019-20 Cohort	2019-20 Cohort	2018-19 Cohort	2017-18 Cohort	2016-17 Cohort
Entering (Fall)	18	29	23	15	7
2nd		22	21	12	7
3rd (Fall)		16	21	10	5
4th			16	10	6
5th (Fall)			5	6	4
6th				4	4
7th (Fall)				4	2
8th					2
9th (Fall)					2
10th
11th (Fall)
12th

Persistence Rate of IPEDS Cohort
Entering / Entering	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%
2nd / Entering		75.9%	91.3%	80.0%	100.0%
3rd / Entering		55.2%	91.3%	66.7%	71.4%
4th / Entering			69.6%	66.7%	85.7%
5th / Entering			21.7%	40.0%	57.1%
6th / Entering				26.7%	57.1%
7th / Entering				26.7%	28.6%
8th / Entering					28.6%
9th / Entering					28.6%
10th / Entering
11th / Entering

% Degree Completer
1-year Graduation Cumulated			0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
2-year Graduation Cumulated				20.0%	0.0%
3-year Graduation Cumulated					42.9%
4-year Graduation Cumulated
5-year Graduation Cumulated
6-year Graduation Cumulated

Completion + Persistence
1-year Graduation + 3rd Term Enroll.			91.3%	66.7%	71.4%
2-year Graduation + 5th Term Enroll.				60.0%	57.1%
3-year Graduation + 7th Term Enroll.					71.4%
4-year Graduation + 9th Term Enroll.
5-year Graduation + 11th Term Enroll.

2. Average time to degree completion: 2.75 years [for graduates from Spring 2018 to Fall 2019]

3. Percentage of graduates holding positions relevant to the degree within 12 months of degree completion (may include further graduate study): 75% [for graduates from Spring 2018 to Fall 2019]

42% School Libraries
25% Public Libraries
8% Academic Libraries

For information about the MLIS degree please contact Dr. Arlene Bielefield, Coordinator of MLIS Program, bielefielda1@southernct.edu

For information about School Library Media Certificates and dual enrollment in the MLIS degree, please contact Dr. Belinha De Abreu, Interim Coordinator of SLMS Program, deabreub1@southernct.edu

Additional information for all programs offered in the Information and Library Science Department may be found in the current Graduate Catalog: http://catalog.southernct.edu/graduate/programs-and-degrees/index.html

Last updated: June 16, 2021