Program Information - Masters of Library Science, MLS

Program Objectives

The entirely online Masters of Library Science (MLS) degree is designed to help you become a 21st century librarian. The librarian develops, promotes, and implements a program that engages library users and supports their information needs. This degree builds on prior interdisciplinary coursework and supports your growth as a librarian or information professional.

The program’s objectives are:

• 90% of all MLS graduates will have secured a position in librarianship or a similar profession (e.g., librarian, director, archivist, museum staff, knowledge manager, indexer) or information-based organization within one year following their graduation.
• 80% of all MLS graduates will respond to an exit survey sent after graduation that they have the skills and attributes to become and remain successful librarian professionals.
• 80% of employers of the MLS graduates will respond to a survey indicating that our graduates have the skills and attributes to become and remain successful librarian professionals.

Admissions, Costs, and Scholarships

Acceptance into the program requires:

• undergraduate degree from an accredited institution
• 2.75 or higher cumulative undergraduate GPA
• completion of an online application through the Office of Graduate Studies
• completion of a personal interview

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Conditional Admission

If you do not meet the overall grade point average, you may be classified as “a non-degree seeking student” until you achieve a minimum 3.50 graduate GPA after completing the following courses:

• LIS 5100 - Foundations of Librarianship (3)
• LIS 5250 - Developing and Managing Collections (3)
• LIS 5622 - Library Administration and Leadership (3)
• LIS 5322 - Information Sources and Services (3)

These courses must be taken and grades received prior to enrolling in other courses required for the degree or reapplying for admission.

Application Dates and Deadlines

• Fall Semester Start - applications due July 31
• Spring Semester Start - applications due December 1
• Summer Semester Start - applications due April 15

Costs

The UCM MLS program has been consistently ranked one of the most affordable LIS degrees in the United States by Learn.org.

Full information on tuition and costs for UCM Graduate Students is available on the Student Financial Assistance page. You can use the UCM Cost Calculator to estimate the total tuition for your degree.

UCM supports students as they fund their degree. Each student is paired with a Financial Aid advisor to work with throughout their program. Access the UCM Financial Aid page to learn more about financing your degree. 

Scholarships

UCM offers several scholarships specifically for students in the LSIS program:

Suzanne Foster Scholarship in Library Science

The Suzanne Foster Scholarship in Library Science is available through the University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation for a graduate student pursuing a degree in library science at UCM. This scholarship is made possible by way of gifts from family, friends and royalties earned from the sale of the University of Central Missouri (UCM) General Education course LIS 1600 University Library & Research Skills textbook: Information Literacy for Undergraduates by Sandra Jenkins, UCM faculty member.

Beatrice Ricks Library Scholarship

The Beatrice Ricks Library Scholarship is available through the University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation for a graduate student pursuing a degree in library science. This scholarship is made possible by way of a gift from Dr. Beatrice Ricks.

Dr. Aileen Helmick Memorial Scholarship in Library Science

The Dr. Aileen Helmick Scholarship in Library Science is available through the University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation for a graduate student pursuing a degree in Library Science. This scholarship is made possible by way of a gift from family and friends of Aileen Helmick, ‘76.

Use the UCM Scholarship Finder to learn more about and apply for scholarship opportunities. 

Practicum Experience

As a student in the Masters of Library Science, School Library Concentration, you will participate in an early practicum (1 credit) course and late practicum (2 credits) course. During these courses, you will spend time working within a library with a mentor at the beginning and end of your program. These practicum experiences allow you to see how theories, professional standards, and competencies are applied within a real-world setting. As part of these experiences, you will complete a portfolio aligned with professional standards (AASL/CAEP, ALA, ACRL, etc.) as evidence of your learning in these courses. 

Research Experiences

Librarians must make data-driven decisions to guide practice and improve information services for their community. To prepare you to do this, the program includes several research courses:

• LIS 5900: Action Research in Libraries (3) (required)
• LIS 6900: Research Problem (3) (elective)

You will design an action research project in your choice of topic as part of the requirements for the LIS 5900 Action Research course. In LIS 6900: Research Problem, students can choose to either implement an action research project or complete a project to solve a problem identified in their studies. Both options will lead you to become an expert in a topic you are passionate about. Many students have published their research projects in journals or presented them at professional conferences.

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