Preamble
The School of Information Science has established program competencies for our MLIS students. These competencies indicate what skills, knowledge, dispositions and professional values MLIS graduates should be able to demonstrate. In addition to the successful completion of the 36-credit program of study, students will provide evidence that they have met the iSchool core competencies by submitting a satisfactory portfolio that serves as the capstone experience for the MLIS degree.
iSchool Core Competencies
1. Information and Its Organization
Students will be able to perform effectively in the library and information professions
by demonstrating competency in information and its organization. By the conclusion
of the master’s degree program, students should be able to:
a. explain major concepts, theories, issues and trends in knowledge representation and information organization
b. explain the relationship between information organization and information retrieval
c. explain information-seeking behavior in theoretical and practical terms
d. demonstrate proficient professional skills in information searching
e. explain and demonstrate the techniques of bibliographic organization and control
f. explain the principles and techniques of physical and digital preservation of materials
The iSchool courses that help students gain competency in this area are:
705, 706, 711, 725, 726, 731, 732, 733, 735, 738, 749, 759, 766, 770, 778, 787
2. Provision of Information Services
Students will be able to perform effectively in the library and information professions
by demonstrating competency in the provision of information services. By the conclusion
of the master’s degree program, students should be able to:
a. design a variety of information services to meet the needs of diverse users, including onsite, remote, and underserved users
b. identify, evaluate, manage, and use information resources and sources effectively
c. apply critical-thinking, information-seeking, and problem-solving skills to analyze users’ inquiries and match them with appropriate and accessible resources
d. provide users with professional consultation during the information service encounter
e. apply up-to-date technology strategically to improve services and enhance access to information resources
f. adapt and apply learning theories and principles in the design and delivery of best practices to promote information literacy
The iSchool courses that help students gain competency in this area are:
703, 733, 741, 744, 750, 751, 753, 754, 755, 756, 758, 761, 766, 767, 770, 772, 778,
787
3. Leadership and Management
Students will be able to perform effectively in the library and information professions
by demonstrating competency in leadership and management. By the conclusion of the
master's degree program, students should be able to:
a. identify and define goals; develop measureable and single-outcome objectives for each goal and define effective strategies for achieving objectives as part of the strategic planning process
b. design and conduct community analysis, needs assessment, and/or outcome evaluation
c. develop appropriate content for funding proposals
d. explain supervisory styles and organizational/management structures
e. explain strategies for successful financial management, public relations, and marketing
f. explain and design effective strategies for community and institutional advocacy
g. promote the role of information services in facilitating diversity and global awareness
h. analyze ethical issues and develop strategies to address them
The iSchool courses that help students gain competency in this area are:
702, 704, 720, 724, 726, 728, 752, 751, 754, 755, 759, 765, 766, 767, 770, 778, 781,
782, 787
4. Research
Students will be able to perform effectively in the library and information science
professions by demonstrating competency in research activities. By the conclusion
of the master's degree program, students should be able to:
a. identify and explain a research question
b. locate, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize research findings
c. identify appropriate research methods, collect, and analyze data to address issues faced by libraries or other information agencies
d. employ evidence-based practices to solve information problems
e. design, conduct, and report research that contributes to the body of professional knowledge and/or theoretical constructs
The iSchool courses that help students gain competency in this area are:
704, 705, 718, 738, 754, 759, 766, 767, 772, 777
5. Technology
Students will be able to perform effectively in the library and information science
professions by demonstrating competency in the application of technology. By the conclusion
of the master’s degree program, students should be able to:
a. demonstrate effective use of current technologies
b. explain the impact and potential of current and emerging information technologies for management and delivery of services
c. organize and provide digital resources and services
d. evaluate and select appropriate technology for specific information services or applications
e. analyze issues, concepts, and challenges related to the impact of technology on information ethics and policy
The iSchool courses that help students gain competency in this area are:
706, 735, 738, 749, 753, 757, 758, 761, 766, 775, 776, 777, 778
6. Professional Development and Lifelong Learning
Students will be able to perform effectively in the library and information professions
by demonstrating knowledge of strategies for professional development and lifelong
learning. By the conclusion of the master’s degree program, students should be able
to:
a. formulate short- and long-term plans for professional development based on an awareness of the needs and realistic demands of the chosen work setting(s), personal competencies, and the profession
b. explain the role of the library and information professional in the community, culture, and society
c. develop a personal philosophy of professional behavior and ethics
d. demonstrate professional communication skills necessary for interaction, collaboration, and instruction
e. construct a career plan based on personal and professional goals
f. engage with a professional network of colleagues via professional associations and communities of learning and practice
The iSchool courses that help students gain competency in this area are:
701, 702, 704, 728, 751, 754, 755, 759, 766, 767, 775, 791