The MBA/MLIS Combined Program (Library and Information Studies) [Graduate]

The School of Library and Information Studies and the Faculty of Business offer a program of combined study which enables students to earn both the MBA and MLIS degrees after three calendar years of full-time study or six years of part-time study. Students in the online offering of the MLIS program are not eligible for the combined MBA/MLIS program. . Refer to The MBA/MLIS Combined Program (Business) [Graduate] for additional information.

Entrance Requirements

Students wishing to apply for the MBA/MLIS combined program need only complete one online application form by selecting “MBA/MLIS” as the program. The application will be received by both programs.

Students must satisfy the entrance requirements for both programs. A statement of the applicant’s background and interests should be included with the application.

Administrators of the two programs will consult regarding admission to the combined degree. There is limited enrolment and the entrance process is competitive.

During, and up to the completion of the first year in the MLIS program, students will have the option to request a change of program category to the combined MBA/MLIS program.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of ★81 in coursework, including a ★3 capping exercise.

First Year (★24)

LIS 501 - Foundations of Library and Information Studies - normally a prerequisite for the rest of the program
LIS 502 - Organization of Information
LIS 503 - Reference and Information Services
LIS 505 - Introduction to Research in Library and Information Studies
Up to two ★3 courses from the approved Information Technology courses (see SLIS website for current offerings)
Two or three ★3 elective courses.

Second year (★30)

MBA required courses

Third year (★27)

Four ★3 MBA elective courses
Four ★3 LIS courses (LIS elective courses and up to one Information Technology course)
Capping exercise: SEM 641

Ethics Requirement

Students in the Master of Library and information Studies programs fulfill the FGSR Academic Integrity and Ethics Training Requirement through their required courses in which they receive approximately 17 hours of ethics training.

Professional Development Requirement

Students in the combined MBA/MLIS program must satisfy the FGSR Professional Development Requirement .

Academic Standing

Respective academic standing provisions for each program apply. Students taking the MBA/MLIS program must meet each program’s academic standing requirements. If a student withdraws from one of the degree programs or is required to withdraw because of unsatisfactory academic standing, but wishes to remain in the other degree program, the student may be permitted to continue the program of study in which the student retains good academic standing.

Length of Program

A full-time student who is registered for the combined MBA/MLIS program normally will be able to complete the degree requirements in three years. Students may undertake the combined program on a part-time basis.

The maximum time to complete the course-based combined MBA/MLIS program as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is six years.