Master of Library and Information Science
Master of Library and Information Science
Empower people through information and technology.
Bridge the gap between people, information, and technology with an online master's degree in library and information science. St. Kate's has the only accredited program in Minnesota.
Help communities access, understand, and use information and resources.
The curriculum for the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree at St. Catherine University integrates the principles, practices, and ethics of library and information science with an in-depth understanding of the people who use information systems in their work and communities. Whether you are interested in public, academic, digital, school, or special libraries and archives, or want to create a custom career path in information-intense industries – such as an information systems analyst, data asset manager, or social media curator – this online program will empower you to:
- Navigate the social issues and technological risks that come with digital data and information management
- Understand the ethics behind intellectual freedom, privacy, intellectual property, and equitable access for all
- Help patrons and colleagues overcome obstacles to accessing and using information, such as information overload and disinformation
- Become a leader and advocate on critical information issues affecting our patrons and communities
If you are interested in becoming a school librarian specifically, you can pursue the School Library Media Specialist track and receive licensure in addition to your graduate degree for just a few more credits.
Under the guidance of faculty advisors with deep connections within the profession, you’ll analyze the field and plan experiences that prepare you for employment.
Students of all genders are welcome in this program.
Program at a Glance
Format: Online
Start: Fall, Spring, or Summer
Time to completion: 28 months
Credits required: 36
Tuition per credit: $850 (2025-26 rates)
Total tuition: $30,600
Rates are subject to change each June 1.
All applicants will be reviewed for MLIS scholarships.
Accreditation
Degree questions, answered.
St. Kate's?
Hear what some of our students, faculty, and alumni think!
The MLIS Program offers five optional areas of focus called pathways of study (academic libraries; archives & special collections; digital libraries; public libraries; and a custom pathway students can use to design their own area of focus). We also offer a School Library Media Specialist track, which is a Minnesota state licensure program, as a sixth pathway of study.
Required Core Courses
- LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science
- LIS 7030 Organization of Knowledge
- LIS 7040 Information Access Services
- LIS 7050 Research Methods
- LIS 7700 Management of Libraries and Information Centers
One Designated Technology Course:
- Recommended Courses:
- LIS 7510 Database Management
- LIS 7530 Web Design and Accessibility
ePortfolio
- LIS 8900 ePortfolio - All MLIS students are required to complete a non-credit-bearing ePortfolio for graduation.
Highly Recommended Courses
- LIS 7480 Collection Management
- LIS 7590 Digital Libraries
- LIS 7640 Information Literacy Instruction
- LIS 7720 Academic Libraries
Other Recommended Courses
- LIS 7300 Cataloging and Classification
- LIS 7440 Government Information Resources
- LIS 7450 Searching Electronic Databases
- LIS 7610 Marketing and Public Relations
Required Core Courses
- LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science
- LIS 7030 Organization of Knowledge
- LIS 7040 Information Access Services
- LIS 7050 Research Methods
- LIS 7700 Management of Libraries and Information Centers
One Designated Technology Course:
- Recommended Courses:
- LIS 7240 Technology for Teaching & Learning
- LIS 7580 Making and Makerspaces
ePortfolio
- LIS 8900 ePortfolio - All MLIS students are required to complete a non-credit-bearing ePortfolio for graduation.
Highly Recommended Courses for All Public Librarians
- LIS 7480 Collection Management
- LIS 7XXX Inclusion, Accessibility, and Mental Health in LIS
- LIS 7610 Marketing and Public Relations
- LIS 7710 Public Libraries
Recommended Courses for Focus on Adults
- Select one:
- LIS 7210 Library Materials for Children
- LIS 7220 Library Materials for Young Adults
- LIS 7230 Services for Children and Young AdultsLIS 7480 Collection Management
- LIS 7450 Searching Electronic Databases
- LIS 7630 Readers Advisory Services
- LIS 7640 Information Literacy Instruction
Recommended Courses for Focus and Children & Young Adults
- LIS 7210 Library Materials for Children
- LIS 7220 Library Materials for Young Adults
- LIS 7230 Services for Children and Young Adults
Required Core Courses
- LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science
- LIS 7030 Organization of Knowledge
- LIS 7040 Information Access Services
- LIS 7050 Research Methods
- LIS 7700 Management of Libraries and Information Centers
One Designated Technology Course:
- Recommended Courses:
- LIS 7510 Database Management
- LIS 7530 Web Design and Accessibility
ePortfolio
- LIS 8900 ePortfolio - All MLIS students are required to complete a non-credit-bearing ePortfolio for graduation.
Essential Courses
- LIS 7500 Information Seeking and Discovery
- LIS 7590 Digital Libraries
- LIS 7970 User Experience Design
Recommended Course
- LIS 7510 Database Management
- LIS 7530 Web Design and Accessibility
- LIS 7550 Information Policy
- LIS 7560 Info Ethics/Algorithmic Bias
- LIS 7690 Information Technology, People and Society
- LIS 7920 Human Information Behavior
- LIS 7993 Practicum
- LIS 8820 Metadata for Internet Resource
Required Core Courses
- LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science
- LIS 7030 Organization of Knowledge
- LIS 7040 Information Access Services
- LIS 7050 Research Methods
- LIS 7700 Management of Libraries and Information Centers
One Designated Technology Course:
- Recommended Courses:
- LIS 7510 Database Management
- LIS 7530 Web Design and Accessibility
- LIS 7590 Digital Libraries
ePortfolio
- LIS 8900 ePortfolio - All MLIS students are required to complete a non-credit-bearing ePortfolio for graduation.
Highly Recommended Courses
- LIS 7130 Preservation Management
- LIS 7750 Introduction to Archives and Special Collections
- LIS 7993 Practicum
- LIS 8810 Advanced Archival Management
Recommended Courses for Digital Archives Focus
- LIS 7510 Database Management
- LIS 7590 Digital Libraries (for skills in building and organizing digital collections)
- LIS 8820 Metadata for Internet Resource
Recommended Courses for a Archival Management Focus
- LIS 7480 Collection Management
- LIS 7610 Marketing and Public Relation
Other Recommended Courses
- LIS 7440 Government Information Resources
- LIS 7530 Web Design & Accessibility (for those needing an introduction and hands on experience)
Required Courses For MLIS with SLMS:
- LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science
- LIS 7030 Organization of Knowledge
- LIS 7040 Information Access Services
- LIS 7050 Research Methods for Library and Information Science
- LIS 7210 Library Materials for Children
- LIS 7220 Library Materials for Young Adults
- LIS 7240 Technology for Teaching and Learning
- LIS 7250 Curriculum and School Libraries
- LIS 7730 School Libraries
- LIS 7283 or LIS 7286 Clinical Experience/Student Teaching*
- * Initial licensure candidates register for LIS 7286 for 6 credits
ELECTIVES: 6 credits
Suggested Elective Courses:
- LIS 7230 Services for Children and Young Adults
- LIS 7580 Making and Makerspaces
Additional courses required for Initial Licensure Candidates
If students do not currently hold an active Minnesota Tier 3 or 4 teaching license, they are. Initial licensure candidates.
- EDUC 5070 Teachers as Leaders in a Changing Society
- EDUC 5090 General Methods: K-12, Secondary
- EDUC 5490 School Health and Chemical Health
- EDUC 7551 Literacy in the Content Areas
- PSYC 1001 General Psychology
- PSYC 2025 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
Required Core Courses
- LIS 7010 Introduction to Library and Information Science
- LIS 7030 Organization of Knowledge
- LIS 7040 Information Access Services
- LIS 7050 Research Methods
- LIS 7700 Management of Libraries and Information Center
One Designated Technology Course:
Choose one of the following:
- LIS 7240 Technology for Teaching and Learning
- LIS 7510 Database Management
- LIS 7530 Web Design and Accessibility
- LIS 7580 Making and Makerspaces
- LIS 7590 Digital Libraries
ePortfolio
- LIS 8900 ePortfolio - All MLIS students are required to complete a non-credit-bearing ePortfolio for graduation.
ELECTIVE COURSES
Recommended for Collection Development
- LIS 7300 Cataloging and Classification
- LIS 7480 Collection Management
- LIS 7530 Web Design and Accessibility
- LIS 7590 Digital Libraries
- LIS 7710 Public Libraries or
- LIS 7720 Academic Libraries
- LIS 7993 Practicum
Recommended for Information Literacy and User Education
- LIS 7240 Technology for Teaching and Learning
- LIS 7270 Information Literacy in the Digital Age
- LIS 7450 Searching Electronic Databases
- LIS 7530 Web Design and Accessibility
- LIS 7640 Information Literacy Instruction
- LIS 7920 Human Information Behavior
- LIS 7970 User Experience Design
- LIS 7993 Practicum
Application
Identify what you need to start your application.
Learn More
Financial Aid
How to finance your education.
Information Session
Ask questions, meet faculty, and more.
Learn More
Tuition Rates
Review costs and payment processes.
Learn More
St. Kate's Experience
Discover a supportive community invested in more than your academic success — we help you connect with your purpose. Our goal is to help each of our students develop the knowledge and empowerment to transcend what they thought was possible.
Related Programs
News from the Information Management Department
