SLIM Accreditation

Accreditation

SLIM is American Library Association and Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation accredited.

ENROLLMENT AND COMPLETION RATES

MLS Degree- All Sites

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017-2018

2016-2017

2015-2016

2014-2015

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

Number of Students Admitted

181

187

208

210

244

194

135

173

163

148

121

Number of Degrees Awarded

176

162

148

150

122

145

140

122

139

157

Retention Rate/Average Time to Degree Completion (updated June 2022)

The MLS Program has an average retention rate of 93.4% with the majority of students completing the program in 2 years (6 semesters). Students are able to finish the program in as little as 4 semesters, or may take longer depending on their personal needs.

GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT AREAS

Library Type

Public Libraries

Academic Libraries

School Libraries

Special Libraries

Government Libraries/Agencies

Other

Percentage of Graduates

33.40%

21.04%

13.90%

6.76%

5.41%

19.50%

Of Surveyed 2020 graduates, 82.5% (52/63 respondents) indicated that they held positions relevant to the degree field within 12 months of degree completion.

December 2020 ALUMNI SURVEY – 646 RESPONDENTS OUT OF 3105 SLIM ALUMNI

Out of the respondents, slightly over 64% indicated that they have been employed in a professional position in a library or information agency for over one year (415/646, 64.24%). Of the 415 respondents who indicated being employed in a professional position for more than a year, 17.03% responded that they have been in such a position for more than a year, but less than five years (110/646). Another 16.87% have been in a professional position for more than five years but less than ten years (109/646). Lastly, 30.34% of respondents indicated that they have been in a professional position for more than ten years (196/646).

Continued Accreditation through the American Library Association.

Emporia State University is the only university in Kansas with a Master of Library Science degree fully accredited by the American Library Association. This degree, along with a variety of certificates and a doctoral degree, prepares information professionals for careers in both libraries and other information organizations. We also offer a School Library Media Licensure program which is approved by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

PROGRAM ASSESSMENT

The 36-hour Master of Library Science (MLS) program offered by the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University includes seven required courses (21 credit hours), plus a required one-hour Capstone course. The remaining 14 hours are electives, some of which count toward concentrations, licensures, or certificates which allow student to tailor the program to meet their individual needs and goals.

The required core courses include information and instruction regarding theory, tools, practical application, and leadership development in order to prepare students for careers in a variety of library settings and information agencies.