SLA is pleased to continue its partnership with the San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science. This partnership enables SLA members to earn an ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree through the School's fully online Executive MLIS program, designed for experienced library managers and leaders and information industry professionals who do not hold the MLIS degree. The program was developed in 2005 as the first in the world and continues to be the only one of its type.
The Executive MLIS program is a specialized cohort within the School's fully online MLIS program. It emphasizes the core competencies of librarianship in a leadership context. Courses are taught by faculty members who are recognized for their expertise in organizational leadership. The curriculum complements the professional experience of students, building upon their existing knowledge and preparing them to take on new leadership roles. Courses are taught through online discussions, regular web conferencing sessions, and other group learning activities. Added features include regularly scheduled online sessions with national and international leaders and interactive online discussions with peers.
The typical student in the Executive MLIS program has been working for more than three years in a library management position. Previous Executive MLIS students include special librarians in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, directors of public libraries, branch librarians, senior supervisors of library staff, teacher-librarians, library technicians with university degrees, information specialists and knowledge managers in the corporate sector, and senior management in major libraries (e.g., directors of human resources, information technology, marketing) for whom the lack of an MLIS is both a glass ceiling (not able to move up) and glass wall (not able to move laterally).
The School of Library and Information Science is offering SLA members the opportunity to form a unique SLA Cohort that will start in August 2012**. The cohort will include only SLA members, who will share the learning experience together. As they journey towards their MLIS degrees, they will explore leadership topics such as program evaluation, human resources management, marketing, and financial management. This is a team-based and project-focused program.
In just over two years, students will move through this fast-paced, focused MLIS degree program geared to the needs of managers and professionals. Cohort members will start the program at the same time and stay together for the program's duration. The program requires 43 units of study , including an Organizational Consulting Project as the culminating course, rather than a thesis. All program requirements will be completed through distance learning.
Because of its managerial/executive focus, this program appeals to SLA members who are looking for upward and lateral mobility.
Learn more about the Executive MLIS program.
Applications are being accepted beginning October 31, 2011. The deadline for the 2012 Executive MLIS program is March 31, 2012, but earlier application is strongly encouraged.
** Cohorts are comprised of 15 students. If there are not enough SLA members accepted by the deadline of March 31, 2012, to form a special SLA Cohort, then accepted students will be given the option of joining a different Executive MLIS cohort.
Questions?
Please contact Dr. Ken Haycock, Professor Emeritus and Executive MLIS Program Coordinator
San José State University School of Library and Information Science
Tel: +1.778.689.5938
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