MLIS Degree Options

The MLIS program can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students. A variety of transcript designated concentrations and areas of specialization are available which give students the opportunity to customize their elective coursework and focus their studies on a special area of interest. Students should use the following section as a guide for choosing courses and consult with their academic advisor or faculty mentor for guidance.

The MLIS is designed to provide:

general

A general introduction that crosses all specialties

(the four core courses)

Posters

Exposure to a range of knowledge and skill sets in the form of strongly-recommended general courses

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Opportunities for students to focus on specialized topics, according to their career aspirations

Transcript Designated Concentrations

Careers within the information professions vary and sometimes require specialized preparation and experience. Available transcript designated concentrations include:

Archival Studies Concentration

The Archival Studies Concentration emphasizes a symbiosis of theoretical and practical archival experiences. Students who specialize in the Archival Studies Concentration are qualified for careers in a wide variety of settings, including: archives, libraries, manuscript repositories, special collections, records management agencies private corporations, government agencies, and religious organizations. This concentration will be posted on a student's transcripts upon degree conferral. Can be completed fully online.
Archival Studies Concentration Website

Information Organization Concentration

The Information Organization (IO) Concentration includes a mixture of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills. The concentration prepares students for careers in cataloging, indexing, metadata work, or archival organization in a wide variety of settings, including libraries, archives, museums, indexing and abstracting companies, private corporations, government agencies, and other organizations. This concentration will be posted on a student's transcripts upon degree conferral. Can be completed fully online.
Information Organization Concentration Website

Public Library Leadership

The Public Library Leadership Concentration prepares MLIS graduates to positively engage with the range of opportunities facing the post-modern public library: extended community involvement, incorporation of emerging technologies, and pro-active advocacy for service populations. This concentration will be posted on a student's transcripts upon degree conferral. Can be completed fully online.
Public Library Leadership Website

Information Technology Concentration

The IT concentration offers specialized knowledge of information technologies that is essential to the field of library and information science. Emphasizing the use, implementation, management and evaluation of information technologies for a wide range of organizations. The IT track will prepare students to work in a diverse marketplace, including careers such as application developer, Computational Linguist, Digital Library Programmers, Search Network Analyst, Test Mining Specialist among others. This concentration will be posted on a student's transcripts upon degree conferral. Can be completed fully online.
Information Technology Concentration Website

Additional Graduate Degree Options

SOIS offers additional graduate degree opportunities through our dual degree programs and our Library Media Certification Program.

Coordinated Degree Programs

In collaboration with several other academic units of UW-Milwaukee, SOIS offers students the opportunity to obtain two Master's degrees concurrently—one in Library and Information Science (MLIS) and one in a subject area. For more details on these options, please visit our dual degree program page. Note: the MLIS portion can be completed fully online. Current dual degree programs include: For more information, please visit the Coordinated Degree Programs Website

Library Media Certification

SOIS, along with the School of Education and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction offers a complete program to attain certification as a school library media specialist. This program may be used to fulfill certification obligations in your state. (Can be completed fully online)
Library Media Certification Website
 
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