SLIM Accreditation

Accreditation

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

ENROLLMENT AND COMPLETION RATES

MLS Degree- All Sites

2024-2025

2023-2024

2022-2023

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

213

181

207

181

187

208

210

244

194

135

173

163

148

121

Number of Degrees Awarded

176

173

148

176

162

148

150

122

145

140

122

139

157

Retention Rate/Average Time to Degree Completion (updated June 2023)

The MLS Program has an average retention rate of 93% 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 and Percentage of Graduates

Academic Library: 23%

School Library: 9%

Public Library: 40%

Special Library: 8%

Library vendor: 4%

Other: 17%

MAY 2025 ALUMNI SURVEY – 55 RESPONDENTS OUT OF 570

Surveys were sent to graduates within the last 5 years.

Of surveyed graduates, 80% (44 of 55) respondents indicated that they held positions relevant to the degree field within 12 months of degree completion. Further expanded, 49% of participants (27 of 55) indicated they were already in a professional position before getting the MLS degree and 31% (17 of 55) indicated it took one year or less to find a relevant position, 4% (2 of 55) took one to two years to find a relevant position, 4% (2 of 55) took two to three years to find a relevant position and 13% (7 of 55) did not accept a position relevant to the degree but were able to use the degree in some way in the current position.

Out of the 48 respondents to the question “How long have you been employed in a professional position in a library or information agency?” 69% indicated that they have been employed in a professional position in a library or information agency for over one year (33 of 48). Of the 33 respondents who indicated being employed in a professional position for more than a year, 79% responded that they have been in such a position for more than one year but less than five years (26 of 33). Another 15% have been in a professional position for more than five years but less than ten years (5 of 33). Lastly, 6% of respondents indicated that they have been in a professional position for more than ten years (2 of 33). Remaining participants (15 of 48) indicated that 16% (8 of 55) were currently not in a professional position and 15% (7 of 48) were in a professional position for less than one year.

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

SLIM assesses student learning using data collected from multiple sources. Data from students about their own achievement are collected using the Anthology’s IDEA/Evaluation tools every semester. Data from instructors about students’ achievement include individual student grades and instructor’s responses to the Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Reporting Tool (SLOART) customized for SLIM programs. All of this data together are taken into account and the results of assessment are reported in the SLIM.

Program assessment is conducted using data from multiple sources and stakeholder groups. Student learning assessments are based on data from students and faculty and reported in annual Assessment of Student Learning Reports. MLS student achievement of program outcomes is based on Student Capstone Portfolios. IDT masters student achievement of program outcomes is based on Master’s Projects in IDT. Doctoral student achievement is based on completion of qualifying exams and dissertations. Additional program assessment data include periodic surveys of students, stakeholders, and employers.