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Indiana University Bloomington
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MLS Degree Requirements

MLS Degree Checklist

Master of Library Science
(36 credit hours + S401, 3 credit hours)

The Master of Library Science degree can be completed with 36 credit hours of graduate course work in the School plus the pre-requisite computer skills from S401 - Computer-Based Information Tools. (Note: If after reviewing the S401 syllabus, a student feels he or she has equivalent expertise, the student may contact his or her faculty advisor to discuss waiving the course. Most students do take S401.)

Your course of study builds a foundation in five areas of librarianship, then allows you to work with your adviser to choose advanced elective courses to develop the knowledge and skills for your career:

PREREQUISITE: (3 undergraduate credit hours)

S401 must be fulfilled before completion of 9 credit hours.

FOUNDATION: (Each course is 3 credit hours, for a total of 15 hours)

Choose one course from each area:

Core Course Grade Requirement
(effective Fall 2010)

No course in which a student receives a grade lower than C (2.0) will be counted toward requirements for any SLIS degree. Any required course on which a grade lower than B- is received must be repeated; an elective course in which an unacceptable grade is earned need not be repeated, but it may be repeated or another course must be taken in its place. Repeating a course in which the student received an unacceptable grade or taking another in its place does not remove the credit points for that course from a student’s cumulative grade point average. All grades achieved in SLIS courses will be counted in the SLIS and IU GPA. Because a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) is required for graduation, any grade below B must be balanced by another sufficiently above B to keep the GPA at the 3.0 level.

ELECTIVES: (21 hours) - Choose from:

  • Any 500 or 600-level SLIS Course - MLS electives must be SLIS courses
  • Internship(s) for S605 course credit (2-3 credit hours) -- note: students in some dual degree programs can be approved (or may be required) to take two internships. Students can do an internship for S605 credit after completion of 18 SLIS graduate credit hours. An approval form is required.
  • SLIS Workshops (often 1.5 credit hours) are offered under the S603 course number. Workshops focus on practical, professional skills. MLS students may count up to 6 credit hours of S603 toward the degree.
  • SLIS Topics Courses -- offered under S604 and S635. SLIS offers a changing selection of special topics courses on professional issues.
  • S601 or S602 courses with SLIS faculty (1-6 credit hours) -- course approval forms are required.
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Goals and Objectives of the MLS Program

The Master of Library Science (MLS) program prepares students to become reflective practitioners who connect people and communities with information.

Upon completion of the MLS program, graduates are prepared to:

Assist and Educate Users
  • Analyze and identify the information needs of diverse communities of users
  • Educate users and potential users to locate, use, and evaluate information resources and tools
  • Analyze and evaluate information systems and services in a variety of settings
Develop and Manage Collections of Information Resources
  • Design and apply policies and procedures that support the selection and acquisition of information resources for particular communities of users
  • Manage, evaluate, and preserve physical and virtual collections of information resources
  • Uphold ethical and legal standards in acquiring, leasing, preserving, and providing access to information resources
Represent and Organize Information Resources
  • Understand and apply principles of representation and organization
Manage and Lead Libraries and Other Information Organizations
  • Perform basic managerial functions, including planning, budgeting, and performance evaluation
  • Communicate effectively to a variety of audiences
  • Apply theories of organizational behavior and structure
Use Research Effectively
  • Design, conduct, interpret, and take action based upon research and evaluation
Deploy Information Technologies in Effective and Innovative Ways
  • Implement and evaluate information and communication technologies for efficiency, usability, and value to users
Approach Professional Issues with Understanding
  • Understand the social, political, ethical, and legal aspects of information creation, access, ownership, service, and communication
  • Anticipate emerging trends and respond proactively
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