School of Information Studies

Return to: College of Applied Social Science

For more than 90 years we’ve been there: Inspiring learners. Producing leaders. Shaping the world of library and information science so that individuals and families everywhere get the most out of their library experience and information needs. At the School of Information Studies, ours is a higher standard. A standard founded on rigorous programming, exceptional and personalized instruction, and a deep understanding and appreciation for the needs of working professionals when it comes to graduate education.

Our history

Dominican’s School of Information Studies has long been a presence on Chicago’s higher education landscape, first offering library science programs in the 1930s. We began offering an undergraduate library science degree in 1930 and introduced the master’s in library science in 1949. Our school works to stay ahead of trends, expanding its library science graduate programs to encompass the modern breadth of library and information science. In addition to the MLIS, Dominican offers a Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM), a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree for MLIS holders working in the field, a Master of Arts in Youth Literature (MAYL), a PhD in Information Studies, and a variety of professional certificates in in-demand specializations, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Informatics. In 2017 we affiliated with Dominican’s School of Social Work and School of Education to form the College of Applied Social Sciences.

Throughout the recent changes, our mission remains true to our original spirit: to empower students to become professionals who connect individuals and communities to the world of information and learning with reason, compassion, and a commitment to service and radical inclusion. 

Our programs

With the oldest American Library Association-accredited Master of Library and Information Science in Chicago, as well as the Master of Professional Studies, Master of Science in Information Management, Master of Arts in Youth Literature, Doctor of Philosophy, dual degrees, certificate programs, and undergraduate major and minor in informatics, we offer an array of opportunities for professionals looking to expand their knowledge and advance their careers.

Our faculty

Our faculty come from across the country and around the world, bringing with them a wealth of real-world experience and visionary approaches to advancing the field. They are passionate educators who thrive in Dominican’s setting, where personal attention and individualized mentorship are the primary focus.

Our legacy

In libraries, museums, schools, research labs, Fortune 500 companies, and many other professional settings across the country, you’ll find Dominican SOIS graduates achieving great things. Their knowledge, their talents and their leadership impact countless lives every day.

Return to: College of Applied Social Science