91ÖÆƬ³§

Study to Serve Children and Youth

School library information specialists play one of the most important roles in today’s complex and dynamic educational landscape. They serve as experts in information literacy and equity, empower students of all backgrounds and abilities to follow their curiosities, and help shape learning curricula.

This powerful program prepares you for outstanding service at the elementary, middle and high school levels. 


Multiple Pathways of Study 

Choose from two programs to reach your professional goals.

Students who are not already licensed to teach can earn the full Master of Library and Information Science degree, plus an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a PK-12 Library Information Specialist (LIS) Endorsement in as little as two years.

For educators already licensed to teach in Illinois, we offer an option to add the Library Information Specialist Endorsement to an existing Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) in a program of study that can be completed in as little as one year.

  • 36 credits (MLIS + School Library Licensure/Endorsement) or 18 credits (endorsement only)
  • A mix of online, hybrid and in-person courses on our River Forest campus
  • Complete in as little as one year, or two if you’re seeking the full master’s degree along with your endorsement
  • Dominican’s MLIS is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA)*

*On January 20, 2023, ALA's Committee on Accreditation voted to continue the full accreditation status of Dominican’s MLIS program for another seven-year term. The next comprehensive review will take place in 2029.

Needed

36
Credits Needed to Earn Your MLIS + School Library Licensure/Endorsement
18
Credits for a School Library Endorsement Only
#1
Best Value in the Midwest (U.S. News & World Report)

The Dominican Difference

Ours is one of the most respected graduate programs in school library media in the Chicago area. That’s because of our record of developing highly qualified school librarians who advance the mission of their schools and communities in lasting ways.

Our Chicagoland location means you’ll be studying in a dynamic region full of options for completing your clinical practice and finding employment in the field. And, you can study for your school library media endorsement in a format that works for you.

  • Our courses are offered in a mix of online, in-person and hybrid formats
  • Choose master’s degree or endorsement-only paths, depending on your goals and prior experience
  • Select from multiple in-person class times, including evenings
  • Put your learning to work immediately in our vast network of clinical practice settings
  • Connect to a strong alumni network of school library leaders

Graduates of 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s School of Information Studies continue to meet and exceed program standards and completion rates—and enter into a wide variety of professional positions in the field upon graduation.

Dominican has the Butler Children’s Literature Center, and that’s where some of my MLIS classes were held. I thought this center was super cool because it had so much material like new and diverse books. I was able to pick some titles off the shelf and order them for our library here."

Daniela Martinez
91ÖÆƬ³§ Graduate, Youth Librarian

A Comprehensive Curriculum

In courses drawn from Dominican’s outstanding Library and Information Science graduate program, you’ll study the principles of librarianship with a special focus on service to children and youth. You’ll examine the core concepts of teaching and learning, as well as information access and delivery. You’ll learn to integrate library services and school curricula, and you’ll master the subtleties of information literacy and instructional technology, as well as program administration, assessment and advocacy. The program places special emphasis on the philosophies of elementary, middle and secondary schools, and on the developmental psychology of students at those grade levels.

Areas covered include:

  • General principles of librarianship with particular focus on service to children and youth
  • Information literacy and instructional technology
  • Integration with the school curriculum
  • Program administration, assessment, and advocacy
  • Leadership and strategic communication

You’ll be prepared to guide both students and your fellow teachers in accessing, evaluating and managing information. More broadly, you’ll be ready to make ethical, value-centered decisions, facilitate user learning, organize knowledge systems, and integrate information resources into the full learning experience.

Making a Positive Impact

Upon graduation, Mariela Siegert MLIS '06 continued her passion for helping others through her recognized work as a school librarian

What to Expect as You Earn Your School Library Media Endorsement

The School Library Media Program is one of the iSchool’s most popular and powerful career pathways. As a student, you’ll have access to a robust academic foundation, hands-on experiences and personal attention from your professors.

Renowned School of Information Studies

Dominican’s SOIS sets the standard for excellence. We make sure our students gain the skills needed to be successful in today’s ever-changing environment.
Student displaying books

Butler Children’s Literature Center

Examine newly published books for children and young adults in Dominican’s on-campus collection.

Nationally Recognized Faculty

Our faculty include veteran teachers from school districts that support state-of-the-art instructional technology.
Lewis Hall Exterior

Discounted Tuition for Alumnae/i

A 20% discount for 91ÖÆƬ³§ alumnae/i gives you more reasons to come home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

School library information specialists guide students and fellow teachers in accessing a wide range of resources and technologies to support the educational curriculum and foster a love of learning and exploration. School library information specialists also serve as advocates for information literacy and equity, as well as freedom of intellectual inquiry.

Endorsement PK–12, you will be qualified for service at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Our graduates find work in varied roles and educational settings across the state of Illinois. They include school librarians, library media specialists, teacher-librarians, library directors, and information literacy specialists.

Areas of faculty expertise within the School of Information Studies include:

  • Digital libraries and digital curation
  • Information policy
  • Media and services for youth
  • Archives and cultural heritage
  • Informatics
  • Cataloging and classification
  • School library media
  • Management
  • Leadership and advocacy

To apply, students must submit an online application, a personal essay and official undergraduate transcripts. Before you apply, make sure you review our full application and admission requirements. 

Ready to take the next step?

Along with opportunities for financial aid through loans and grants, the School of Information Studies offers a variety of departmental scholarships, depending upon your area of study. Contact our Office of Financial Aid to learn more. 

We can be reached at (708) 524-6809 or at finaid@dom.edu.

See our detailed FAQs

The relationships that I built at Dominican, the network I started there and the things that I learned in my classes are foundational to the way that I approach my work now. I learned problem-solving approaches, the willingness to try new things and how to incorporate new technology.

Erin Wyatt
91ÖÆƬ³§ Graduate, School Learning Center Director

Prepare for a Career Where You Can Make a Difference

School librarianship is a complex and impactful profession that makes learning curricula exciting and dynamic, fosters a lifelong love of learning and teaches students to become discerning and effective users of information and technology. 

Be a part of something meaningful and in-demand. Be part of Dominican. 

Accreditation

The School Library Media program is accredited by the  (ALA). On January 20, 2023, ALA's Committee on Accreditation voted to continue the Dominican MLIS's full accreditation status for another seven-year term. The next comprehensive review will take place in 2029. View the 2022 MLIS program presentation (pdf opens in a new window).


Chicago's Only iSchool

91ÖÆƬ³§ is also a member of the , dedicated to advancing the information field. As Chicago’s only , Dominican’s School of Information Studies has long been a presence on Chicago’s higher education landscape, first offering library science programs in the 1930s. See what sets us apart.

For more information,
please contact:

Office of Graduate Admission
Enrollment Management
gradinfo@dom.edu

Request Information

Loading...

Other Programs That May Interest You

Ready for your next steps?