Expand Your Career Options With a Leading-Edge Program

Today’s libraries are rapidly changing, complex and dynamic institutions. Leadership of large library systems, in particular, requires professionals experienced in a wide range of traditional business roles from human resources management and budgeting to marketing and transformative leadership.

By earning both degrees simultaneously, you’ll save time and money, benefit from an integrated curriculum and be prepared for a career where you can make a difference.


MBA/MLIS Program Overview

  • Choose from online, in-person or hybrid classes to suit your schedule
  • Log in and study anytime in asynchronous online classes
  • Select from multiple in-person class times, including evenings
  • Complete practicums and internships that build real-world skills
  • Connect to a strong alumni network of library, information and business leaders around the world 

Transform Your Future With a Program Built For Your Goals

Top 6%
Our AACSB Accreditation is a Distinction Earned by Less Than Six Percent of Schools Worldwide
#1
Best Value School (U.S. News & World Report)
30,000+
Connections Through Dominican's Robust Alumni Network

What You’ll Learn 

Dominican University recognizes that today’s library and information leaders need to possess advanced business skills. Big city library systems and other information centers are vast and complex organizations that demand leaders versed in high-level management with an ability to form community partnerships, drive innovative programs and lead a large and diverse workforce. Through our foundation MBA courses, core courses and electives, you will gain a well-rounded perspective of multiple topics in business strategy, leadership and operations management. 

Through our six required core MLIS courses, you’ll gain the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for a successful library and information science career.

  • Time to complete: Depending on your previous academic coursework, you will need to complete between 60 and 75 semester hours to earn both degrees
  • Courses that are cross-listed (offered by both departments) may count as either Brennan School of Business or School of Information Studies courses but not as both
  • Reduced number of hours required for each degree
  • ALA- and AACSB-accredited

Along with taking foundational MBA courses, you’ll be able to customize your business and MLIS degree experience toward a specific field that fits your career goals. Students have the option to earn a certificate, on top of their MBA, when they complete at least two elective courses in a particular discipline. Looking to earn a stand alone MBA? Learn about our MBA program.

Our location in the heart of Chicagoland means you will be studying in an environment rich in all types of information settings, with lots of opportunities for internships, practicums and employment. We will connect you with our expansive network of partner institutions and influential iSchool alumni.

Advance in a Rapidly Growing Career Field

At Dominican University, you’ll be prepared to not only join the field, but to lead a life of purpose and impact. 

High-Demand Positions

About 13,500 openings for library professionals are projected each year, on average, over the next decade.

Continued Growth

Demand for library professionals is expected to grow 3% from 2023 to 2033.

What to Expect as You Earn Your MBA/MLIS Degree 

The Dominican University experience is one that embraces unique viewpoints, values hands-on learning and fosters collaborative relationships—among faculty, students and the communities that we hope to influence through our values-centered degree programs. When you study for your MBA/MLIS degree here, you’ll get the benefit of modern learning designed for working professionals as well as a relationship-focused atmosphere that will help you become a stronger leader in your field.

Dominican’s Brennan School of Business is recognized for providing high-value, rigorous, relevant business education in a supportive, small-classroom setting. We welcome you to email Dave Aron to learn more about the MBA degree and certificate programs at Brennan. See what sets us apart.

Dominican University’s commitment to social justice is fully reflected in the MLIS program’s focus on advancing intellectual freedom and equal access to information. This program will prepare you to meet the intensifying demand for ethical, thoughtful and skilled professionals who can manage and ensure access to reliable information in many settings throughout our society. See what sets us apart.

Our MLIS professors have a broad range of experience, and our small class sizes allow them to get to know you—and become the foundation of your professional network. Meet the MLIS faculty 

Areas of faculty expertise include:

  • Digital libraries and digital curation
  • Information policy
  • Media and services for youth
  • Archives and cultural heritage
  • Informatics
  • Cataloging and classification
  • School library media
  • Management
  • Leadership and advocacy 

Professors in the Brennan School of Business include Fulbright scholars, business executives, authors and specialty experts who make teaching and mentoring a priority. Meet the business faculty 

Areas of faculty expertise include:

  • Marketing strategy and brand management
  • Consumer behavior
  • Financial markets
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution
  • Corporate social responsibility and business ethics
  • Executive leadership
  • Data analytics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Financial accounting

MLIS students at Dominican University continue to meet and exceed program standards and completion rates—and enter into a wide variety of professional positions in the field upon graduation.

I would definitely recommend Dominican University and the School of Information Studies. Dominican’s program, the way the schedule is set up, is very flexible. I was able to attend while still working a full-time job and being a single mom, so the classes were very flexible and convenient for me. I think that the program is structured in such a way that you matriculate through the program with a cohort, so you’re able to form bonds with people that are in your class and you can become a support system to each other."

Dr. Andrea Jamison
Dominican University Graduate, Professor, Illinois State University

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

An MBA/MLIS degree might seem like an unusual combination but, like any field, library and information science is in need of leadership. Combining your MLIS with a top-ranked business education will prepare you to take on supervisory and executive leadership positions in large library systems and other complex information settings. You will find Dominican MLIS graduates working in an array of settings:

 “Traditional” Libraries

  • Chicago Public Library
  • University of Minnesota Library
  • State Law Library of Montana
  • Western Michigan University
  • Oswego East High School
  • and many more 

Non-library Settings

  • Argonne National Laboratory
  • McDonald’s Digital Asset Department
  • WFMT’s Studs Terkel Radio Archive
  • BMO Harris Bank
  • DuPage County
  • BP
  • Law firms such as Sidley Austin
  • Consulting firms such as Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates 

Cultural Institutions and Museums

  • Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture
  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  • Oswego History Museum
  • Theater Historical Society of America
  • Polish Museum of America

To be accepted into the combined program, students must complete a combined business administration and information science dual-degree application. Applicants must gain admission to both programs by meeting the existing admission standards. 

You will need to submit the following:

  • A personal essay and résumé
  • Official undergraduate transcripts
  • GRE or MAT scores (taken within the last five years)
  • Two recommendations (from an employer, professor or professional colleague) 

Before you apply, make sure you review the full application and admission requirements for both the MLIS program and the MBA program. 

Ready to take the next step? Apply now online.

Along with opportunities for financial aid through loans and grants, the School of Information Studies offers a variety of departmental scholarships, including the Mary Majer Scholarship for MLIS students, depending upon your area of study.  A 20% tuition discount is also available to Dominican University alumnae/i. Contact our Office of Financial Aid to learn more. 

We can be reached at (708) 524-6809 or finaid@dom.edu.

Dominican gave me a great foundation academically, but also the interpersonal skills to connect more intimately with others. I built a level of trust that a lot of people with my background may not have.”

Eric Trejo
Dominican University Graduate

Turn Your Passion Into Purpose 

Library and information science is a complex and impactful area of study that helps preserve our history, inform our future and educate our communities. Be a part of something meaningful and in-demand. Request information today.

On January 10, 2016, ALA's Committee on Accreditation voted to continue the Dominican MLIS's full accreditation status for another seven-year term. The next comprehensive review will take place in 2022. View the 2015 MLIS program presentation.

The Brennan School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction earned by less than six percent of business schools worldwide. 

AACSB schools provide a better return on your investment with higher-caliber academics and degrees of distinction that help advance your business career.

For more information,
please contact:

Office of Graduate Admission
Enrollment Management
gradinfo@dom.edu

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