The MMLIS program provides a robust leadership and management focus for students, while also ensuring mastery of the ALA's Core Competencies of Librarianship. The curriculum covers essential facets of librarianship, such as core values, collection development, organization and management of information, and planning/evaluation of programs/services, while also presenting students with opportunities to advance management skills through coursework in leadership development, business essentials, and training/instruction. All foundation and elective MMLIS courses are mapped to the ALA Core Competencies and MMLIS Program Goals. This is available to view here.
Through community connections, strategic orientations and flexibility, the Master of Management in Library and Information Science program develops graduates with potential for success in organizations and in our changing enterprise.
Aligned with the mission of The University of Southern California and the Marshall School of Business, the Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) educates professionals with enterprise-wide perspectives to lead work teams, units and organizations to benefit their communities and deliver value.
As a minimum, librarian/leaders require capability in the discipline/business and the organization in which it is practiced, together with a strategic orientation and social intelligence. These are undergirded by general intellect, with a strong inclination to continue to learn.
Within this context, graduates of the MMLIS program will be able to:
These program goals reflect the USC learning goals, the Marshall overarching goals for all Business school graduates and the required competencies of tomorrow's librarians and information professionals as articulated by the American Library Association. These program goals are then "translated" into objectives for each individual course. Assignments reflect the course objectives. In this way, we assure that each student has addressed elements of these goals in their course of study. To close the assessment loop, each student completes an electronic portfolio as the capstone project, indicating an ability to meet the program goals. Of course, students are provided with support and guidance throughout the process.