Through a partnership with the USC Marshall School of Business, the LIS programs from USC are designed to create the next generation of leaders.
To succeed in today's library and information landscape, you should have not only a strong understanding of how the field has evolved, but also a leadership philosophy that reflects those changes.
A unique relationship with the Marshall School of Business enables the MMLIS and LIM Graduate Certificate online programs to offer innovative programs and management-based coursework designed to help forge the field's next generation of librarian leaders.
The MMLIS consists of 13 required courses for a total of 31 credits. The program is structured over five 15-week semesters and can be completed in as few as 20 months.
Integrates leadership theory and practice with communication skills to improve individual, team, and organizational performance. Emphasizes interpersonal, presentation, and writing skills; teamwork; and value-based leadership.
An overview of the history of recorded knowledge from ancient times to the digital age informed by the cultural implications of those eras.
Development of analytical, strategic, and planning skills. Application within an integrated strategic framework to the development of a comprehensive marketing plan for a product, service, and/or organization.
Information systems for public reporting and for management decision-making; theory of asset and income measurement; interpretation and uses of accounting data and financial statements; analysis of cases.
The development of library collections in all formats emphasizing clientele interest, usage patterns, bibliographical and Website sources.
An overview and critical analysis of current practices of information organization, cataloging, access and reference services, including a conceptual understanding of these skills.
An overview of research methods in information management including the conceptualization of research problems, literature reviews, research design, sampling, measurement, data collection and data analysis.
Overview of concepts, components, and developments in reference and user services. Learn to think critically about information and become better information seekers and users.
Working in teams and delivering effective presentations is reinforced through an introduction to project management. A project management plan, research paper and presentation are required.
Evidence-based decision making, assessment, legal and ethical frameworks, and scenario planning applied to leadership and management competencies in library environments.
Opportunity to pursue independent research in an area of interest above and beyond normal course offerings. Proposal, research and written report/paper required.
Supplements the academic learning experience with temporary employment (paid or unpaid) in the information professions. Supervised by host organization and overseen by MMLIS faculty member.
Student-driven research or project-based experience that integrates the knowledge from course work and applies it to current issues in the field.
Select three courses for a total of 9 credits.
An overview of research in learning emphasizing the role of academic librarians as instructors and facilitators of information navigation.
An overview of developing and assessing metadata for digital resources including the different types of metadata schema, data dictionaries, taxonomies and emerging metadata standards.
Overview of archival practice and challenge. This course explores the current roles, competencies, values, and ethical considerations that contemporary archivists face. The intent of the course is to build a foundation that provides the critical knowledge of the distinct characteristics associated with archives necessary for the effective management and leadership in these organizations.
Proper engagement with one's community (e.g. neighborhood, town, city, campus, professional associations) is often realized by entering into partnerships and collaborations. This course explores how information professionals in libraries and other settings collaborate with one another, as well as nonprofit, for-profit (private) and governmental organizations. This course provides an overview of theory and practice emphasizing how one identifies the needs, the best partners, sets goals, and formalizes the partnership. It also looks at the latest services and trends in this area.
Overview of management of library information technologies including computer networks, design, architecture, cloud technologies, data management, and technology planning as well as emerging technologies.
Searching sophisticated for-fee and free sources of information unique to particular industry client groups, synthesizing and translating information ethically to critical intelligence.
The Graduate Certificate in Library and Information Management requires 16 units. Each student will develop an individual academic plan and course of study under a faculty member's guidance, subject to the program director's approval. A sample schedule is below.
Integrates leadership theory and practice with communication skills to improve individual, team, and organizational performance. Emphasizes interpersonal, presentation, and writing skills; teamwork; and value-based leadership.
Proper engagement with one's community (e.g. neighborhood, town, city, campus, professional associations) is often realized by entering into partnerships and collaborations. This course explores how information professionals in libraries and other settings collaborate with one another, as well as nonprofit, for-profit (private) and governmental organizations. This course provides an overview of theory and practice emphasizing how one identifies the needs, the best partners, sets goals, and formalizes the partnership. It also looks at the latest services and trends in this area.
Overview of management of library information technologies including computer networks, design, architecture, cloud technologies, data management, and technology planning as well as emerging technologies.
Working in teams and delivering effective presentations is reinforced through an introduction to project management. A project management plan, research paper and presentation are required.
Opportunity to pursue independent research in an area of interest above and beyond normal course offerings. Proposal, research and written report/paper required.
Development of analytical, strategic, and planning skills. Application within an integrated strategic framework to the development of a comprehensive marketing plan for a product, service, and/or organization.
Information systems for public reporting and for management decision-making; theory of asset and income measurement; interpretation and uses of accounting data and financial statements; analysis of cases.