MLIS/Master of Business Administration Dual Degree

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. Choose from Dominican’s MBA program concentrations (requiring 9 credit hours) in topics like: accounting, data analytics, finance, healthcare administration, international business administration, leadership or marketing. 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.

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.

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.

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.

An MLIS/MBA 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. 

Along with opportunities for financial aid through loans and grants, the School of Information Studies offers a variety of departmental scholarships, depending upon your area of study. A 20% tuition discount 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.