Our MLIS Graduates

Graduates of the School of Library and Information Science exemplify our values of leadership, service, and community outreach. They are equipped with research skills and a core foundation of best practices to be major contributors to the profession. They have received high-quality professional education, research and internship opportunities, and interaction with emerging technology to enhance library and information services.

Key MLIS Program Highlights

1.We admit approximately 140 MLIS students per academic year and graduate approximately 135 MLIS students per year.

2. Our typical student has a cumulative GPA of 3.37, an average MAT score of 419, and an average GRE score of 308.

3. Our retention rate is just over 86%.

4. Average time to completion is six semesters, or two years.

5. A Placement Survey of our May 2018 graduates offered the following results

A 60% response rate
92.6% of respondents are employed full time and 84% are employed within the LIS profession
Almost 67% of graduates received a promotion and/or a raise upon degree completion
54% make at least $41,000
A sample of job titles of graduates:

Park Guide
Web Content Editor
Teen Services Coordinator
Public Affairs Research Librarian
School Librarian

6. MLIS students are assessed annually via an end-of-program Portfolio. Students must display proficiency in six competency areas (learning outcomes): information and its organization; provision of information services; leadership and management; research in the LIS field; technology in the LIS field; and lifelong learning and professional development. Results are used to guide faculty decisions on the curriculum and assessment process.

Fall 2019 Results

Learning Outcome 1 Upon completion of the MLIS program, students will demonstrate competency in information and its organization.	Artifact Selection 100% exemplary (selected work samples clearly related to the learning outcome) Reflective Essay 96% exemplary (provided specific, detailed examples of how the artifact demonstrated the competency) 4% unsatisfactory (did not provide examples of how the artifact demonstrated the learning outcome) No School Library Portfolio learning outcomes align with this learning outcome.
Learning Outcome 2 Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate competency in the provision of information services.	Artifact Selection 100% exemplary (selected work samples clearly related to the learning outcome) Reflective Essay 86% exemplary (provided specific, detailed examples of how the artifact demonstrated the competency) 14% proficient (provided satisfactory examples of how the artifact demonstrated the competency) School Library Portfolio Results Learning Outcome III, School Library Collection and Resource Access and Management aligns most closely with this provision of information services learning outcome. 73% exemplary 27% proficient
Learning Outcome 3 Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate competency in leadership and management in the LIS field.	Artifact Selection 100% exemplary (selected work samples clearly related to the learning outcome) Reflective Essay 82% exemplary (provided specific, detailed examples of how the artifact demonstrated the competency) 18% proficient (provided satisfactory examples of how the artifact demonstrated the competency) School Library Portfolio Results Learning Outcome I, School Library Program Planning and Assessment aligns most closely with this leadership and management learning outcome. 76% exemplary 24% proficient Learning Outcome II, School Library Program Administration and Management also aligns closely with this leadership and management learning outcome. 76% exemplary 24% proficient
Learning Outcome 4 Upon completion of the program,students will demonstrate competency in research in the LIS field.	Artifact Selection 96% exemplary (selected work samples clearly related to the learning outcome) 4% proficient (selected work samples somewhat related to the learning outcome) Reflective Essay 96% exemplary (provided specific, detailed examples of how the artifact demonstrated the competency) 4% proficient (did not provide examples of how the artifact demonstrated the learning outcome) No School Library Portfolio learning outcomes align with this learning outcome.
Learning Outcome 5 Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate competency in technology in the LIS field.	Artifact Selection 100% exemplary (selected work samples clearly related to the learning outcome) Reflective Essay 100% exemplary (provided specific, detailed examples of how the artifact demonstrated the competency) No School Library Portfolio learning outcomes align with this learning outcome.
Learning Outcome 6 Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning and professional development within the LIS field.	Artifact Selection 100% exemplary (selected work samples clearly related to the learning outcome) Reflective Essay 96% exemplary (provided specific, detailed examples of how the artifact demonstrated the competency) 4% proficient (provided satisfactory examples of how the artifact demonstrated the competency) School Library Portfolio Results Learning Outcome V, Professional Growth, Development, and Leadership aligns most closely with this leadership and management learning outcome. 76% exemplary 24% proficient

College of Information and Communications