I am the iSchool

Eve Kausch: Eve Kausch, MLIS: "I am excited by the possibilities that information organization creates and how interdisciplinary the information field is." Read more.

Degree requirements and planning charts are available for MLIS students based on what year they start the MLIS program. Once enrolled, students access the MLIS Student Resource Center for their specific degree requirements and additional information.

Effective 2024, students will adhere to the following program requirements:

• 63 total credits required for degree:
  • 30-33 credits, required core
  • 25-28 credits, electives
  • 5 credits, Capstone or portfolio sequence
• Pass all required core courses with a 2.7 or higher, or CR grade:
  • Core:
    • LIS 510 Information Behavior
      or LIS 547 Design Methods for Librarianship
    • LIS 520 Concepts, Services, and Issues for Information Professionals
    • LIS 530 Organization of Information and Resources
    • LIS 570 Research, Assessment, and Design
    • LIS 580 Management of Information Organizations
    • Social/Ethical Core - Choose from a specific selection of offerings
    • Information Technology Core - Choose from a specific selection of offerings
  • Culminating Experience (choose either Capstone or Portfolio sequence):
    • Capstone
      • LIS 569 Capstone I: Project Preparation (fall)
      • LIS 596 Capstone II: Project Planning (winter)
      • LIS 597 Capstone III: Project Implementation (spring)
    • Portfolio
      • LIS 574 Portfolio Retreat: Discovery (spring)
      • LIS 575 Portfolio Retreat: Development (winter)
      • LIS 599 Portfolio (spring)

Residential MLIS Degree Plan — Current Cohorts

It typically takes two calendar years to complete the Residential MLIS degree. The average course load per quarter is three to four classes (average of 10 credits per quarter).

Online MLIS Degree Plan — Current Cohorts

It typically takes three calendar years to complete the Online MLIS degree. The average course load per quarter is two to three classes (average of 8 credits per quarter). Tip: to progress at a faster pace, simply take one extra elective course each quarter, at an average of 10 total credits per quarter.

Law Librarianship Degree Plans

See the Courses page of the MLIS Law Librarianship section.

School Library Media Endorsement

Effective November 2018, Washington state's criteria for receiving a SLME requires:

1. A teaching certificate,
2. Passing the state's WEST-E exam,
3. Completion of a practicum or internship in a K-12 school,
4. Completing designated coursework in accordance with Washington state policy.

Students frequently gain their teaching certification either before entering the MLIS program or immediately upon graduation. If a student is still in need of their teaching credential, they must connect with their MLIS Academic Advisor and/or the School of Education immediately for direction. Please review our School Library Media Endorsement page for additional details. The degree plan below meets the coursework guidelines outlined by the state.

Residential MLIS – School Library Media Endorsement Degree Plan

Online MLIS – School Library Media Endorsement Degree Plan

*LIS 574 Portfolio: Discovery occurs each spring. Though students are expected to choose their final degree project in late winter/early spring and it marks the start of the Portfolio sequence, LIS 574 is open to all students should they still be deciding between Capstone and Portfolio.