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Emporia State School of Library and Information Management (SLIM)

Doctor of Philosophy-Library and Information Management

Earn your Doctorate's Degree from Emporia State University

The Program

The Ph.D. in Library and Information Management at Emporia State University, jointly administered by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research and the School of Library and Information Management, is an online research degree designed to support the development of scholars and leaders in the information field. The program prepares individuals for careers as researchers, administrators, and leaders in library and information organizations, and faculty members in higher education.

The degree is distinguished by its faculty excellence in both research and teaching, as well as its strong emphasis on preparing graduates to become library and information science researchers who make original scholarly contributions to the knowledge base of the field. Through rigorous coursework, guided research experiences, and dissertation study, students gain the expertise needed to advance theory, inform practice, and shape the future of information environments.

PhD Program Highlights

  • Become a changemaker who addresses complex Information Age challenges and transforms information environments for the public good.
  • Join a network of interdisciplinary scholars who intentionally integrate knowledge, methods, and perspectives from multiple academic disciplines.
  • Apply your master’s degree (34 credits) toward the required 90 credit hours for the PhD.
  • Advance your career with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program designed to support working professionals.
  • Engage in online coursework that includes required synchronous sessions and active, ongoing faculty presence.
  • Complete your degree without a residency requirement, allowing flexibility for students across geographic locations.

Program Policy and Requirements

Applicants are admitted based on a combination of educational achievements, professional experience, and scholarly interests, ensuring that each cohort includes students prepared for advanced doctoral study.

The Guide for SLIM Doctoral Studies (2024) provides comprehensive details about program requirements, expectations, and the full application process. The next Ph.D. cohort will begin classes in Fall 2027, and applications are now being accepted. Prospective students can find additional information and begin the application process through the Apply Today section.

Incorporate Your Field of Expertise

Courses and Concentrations. In addition to required courses in research, content area, teaching and learning in organizations, and guided readings offered by the SLIM faculty, students enroll in 12 graduate credit hours to form a concentration area in library and information science or instructional design technology. The 12-credit-hour concentration may be approved in an area of the student’s choice. Students are encouraged to select a concentration and related courses that align closely with their anticipated dissertation topic.

Graduate course options that may be used to form a concentration include offerings in instructional design technology, business administration, psychology, sociology, forensic science, cybersecurity, and a wide range of library and information science areas. LIS options include courses in health information, archives studies, school libraries, children and youth services, outreach and community engagement, instructional librarianship, intellectual freedom, music librarianship, AI in libraries, virtual reality in libraries, and additional specialized topics.

Students also enroll in guided readings designed to prepare them for the qualifying examinations and for their subsequent dissertation research.

Dissertation. The dissertation requires a minimum of 3 credits in dissertation proposal writing and a minimum of 12 credits in dissertation research.

For additional details about the SLIM Ph.D. Program, prospective and current students may contact:

  • Dr. Mirah Dow, Doctoral Program Director
  • Dr. Wooseob Jeong, Dean of the School of Library and Information Management and William Allen White Library

Both are available to discuss program expectations, admissions, coursework planning, and dissertation preparation.