Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Wayne State University works to create as well as advance knowledge, ready a brilliant student body to thrive, and to positively impact communities that are both global and local. This institution aims to be a preeminent, public, and urban research university that is known for its academic and research excellence, meaningful engagement within the community, and success within the student body. The vision and mission of the university show the path that it wants to take, as the values guide the way. These values include collaboration, integrity, innovation, excellence, and diversity and inclusion. Wayne State University has been accredited since 1915 by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. This is just 1 of 6 regional accrediting agencies within the United States that will provide accreditation to universities and colleges at the institutional level.
It is said that there is no other place like Detroit, and no campus like Wayne State. The university is located in Midtown, the center of the city and can be said that it is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in the country. The campus is made up of 200 acres of green space with walking paths, as well as state of the art facilities that are hugged by celebrated cultural institutions and employers that are at the top of their industry. In the neighborhood, there are over 20,000 residents, 50,000 employers, almost 3 million visitors, over 300 businesses, and investments have been over $2.3 billion in the last 10 years to improve Midtown.
Master of Library and Information Science
This MLIS program is accredited and works to prepare professionals for their leadership roles in libraries and many other information organizations. This program puts emphasis on the core principles as well as practical experience, the university educates a greatly diverse set of students for professional services so that they will meet the needs of their local and global communities.
The program requires students to complete a minimum of 36 graduate level credits. These are broken up into 18 credit hours in the LIS core, and at minimum 18 credit hours to be taken in an area that the student chooses for their professional specialization. No more than 6 credit hours will be accepted from outside of the SLIS for cognates. Students are able to complete the MLIS degree online with a few classes being available on campus. Under the umbrella of the MLIS, there are 3 main pillars with their own professional specializations. These are information management, library services, and archives and digital content management. These areas have specializations with their own recommended courses that will give the students the skills that they need to gain meaningful employment. These specializations will not be listed on the student's diploma, so there is no minimum requirement regarding the number of courses to be taken in each area. Students should consult with their academic adviser at the start of their program when they are deciding on their specialization—this will allow them to gain the much needed skills to reach their own career goals.
