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.
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Dominican’s MBA/MLIS Dual Degree at a Glance
- 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
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Focus Your Business Courses with Market-Trending Electives
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.
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Gain Hands-On Skills through Internships and Practicums
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
Continued Growth
What to Expect as You Earn Your MBA/MLIS Dual 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 dual 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.
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Top-Ranked MBA Courses in our Brennan School of Business
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.
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Values-centered Curriculum in our iSchool
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.
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Nationally Recognized Faculty
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
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Strong Graduate Retention, Achievement and Career Outcomes
MBA and 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 fields of great impact upon graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What can I do with a dual degree in business and information science?
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
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How do I apply?
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
- Optional GRE or MAT scores (taken within the last five years)
- Two letters of recommendation may be provided by applicants whose GPA falls below a 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
Before you apply, make sure you review the full application and admission requirements for both the MLIS program and the MBA program.
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How do I finance my MBA/MLIS dual degree?
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.
The Brennan School of Business also offers scholarships for outstanding academic achievement and graduate assistantships for those who wish to work with faculty while pursuing their degree.
A 20% tuition discount is 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.
Testimonial
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.”
Accreditation
The Master of Library and Information Science program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association (ALA). On January 20, 2023, 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 2029.
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 International accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for 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.