In collaboration with several other academic units at UW-Milwaukee, SOIS offers students the opportunity to obtain two Master’s degrees concurrently—one in Library and Information Science (MLIS) and one in a subject area.

Degree Requirements

  • The number of degree credits needed for each of the coordinated programs is usually 12 fewer than the sum of the two programs if they were not taken simultaneously. All degree requirements of each component must be satisfied.
  • The MLIS portion of the coordinated degrees can be completed online.
  • Prerequisite to the award of either degree in this program is the simultaneous award of its counterpart degree.

MLIS Component

The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) component of each of the coordinated programs includes 30 credits of SOIS courses. These include the MLIS core courses (12 credits). The remaining 18 MLIS credits are selected from the School’s offerings in accordance with the student’s goals in the coordinated degree program.

Admission Requirements 

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.

Admission

An applicant must meet the UWM Graduate School requirements plus all admission requirements of both the School of Information Studies and the coordinated degree department. Please review the admission details of each program and contact an advisor with any questions.

Credits and Courses

Basic Required MLIS Courses

Core Courses
INFOST 501Foundations of Library and Information Science3
INFOST 511Organization of Information3
INFOST 571Information Access and Retrieval3
INFOST 799Research Methods in Information Studies3
Other MLIS courses18
Total Credits30

Important

You must refer to the catalog pages of both individual master's programs to ensure that you meet all requirements for both degrees.

Note: The full requirements for MALLT concentrations appear below. Some electives are waived for the MLIS/MALLT program.

Linguistics Requirements

The following are the minimum course requirements for a concentration within the Standard Track: 

Core Seminars
Selected two of the following:6
Proseminar in Linguistics
Master's Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction
Seminar in Advanced Topics: (subtitle)
Additional Requirements
LINGUIS 461Introduction to Phonology3
LINGUIS 464Introduction to Syntax3
Select three additional courses in Linguis9
Select three additional linguistics courses in or outside the Department of Linguistics
Electives
Select 9 credits in consultation with the student’s advisor 19
Total Credits30
1

May include up to 6 credits in MALLT 790.

Spanish and Hispanophone Language, Literature, and Culture Requirements

The following are the minimum course requirements for a concentration within the Standard Track:

Select two core seminars as a foundation in basic aspects of languages, literatures, and linguistics6
Select at least 15 graduate credits in Spanish15
Select three courses in related areas to give the program breadth9
Total Credits30

Additional Requirements

Students interested in the MALLT/MLIS program will be expected to follow all of the requirements and standards as described in this section of the Catalog. Nine of the 30 credits normally required for a MALLT degree will be satisfied by courses taken in SOIS. In the coordinated degree program, MALLT thesis option credits will be in addition to the 21 required MALLT credits. Courses in related areas must be approved by the Coordinator of MALLT.

  • See the MALLT and MLIS pages for more information.

Library and Information Science MLIS Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the master’s program in Library and Information Science (MLIS) will be able to: 

  1. Critically assess the philosophy, principles, culture, ethics or values of library and information science.  
  2.  Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to develop and evaluate library and information services and systems.  
  3.  Outline how library and information services may serve the needs of a diverse global society.  
  4.  Apply knowledge of research methods in library and information science to investigate an issue of relevance to the field. 

See the full list of ALA Core Competencies here. 

Language, Literature, and Translation MA Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Language, Literature, and Translation MA (MALLT) program will be able to: 

  • Articulate concentration-specific linguistic, literary, and cultural knowledge about past and contemporary communities within their historical, socio-cultural and global context.
  • Identify, describe and utilize the pertinent critical/theoretical frameworks, methods, and terminology of their field of linguistic, literary, and/or cultural studies.
  • Communicate fluently and clearly in writing and in oral presentations nuanced analysis of linguistic, literary, and cultural works in the target language of their field of study. 
  • Conduct and produce independent research in their field by developing and delimiting a research question; systematically investigating the question; retrieving and synthesizing bibliographical materials; and presenting their research analytically and argumentatively.   
  • Perform professional skills tied to the specific professional area of study such as: utilizing oral and written language skills in professional and academic settings; teaching the target language in first- and second-year language acquisition courses; or translating and interpreting accurately in a wide variety of domains and settings.  
  • Search and apply for professional opportunities or advanced study in/related to the M.A., and participate in professional activities (such as colloquia, conferences, internships, meetings and workshops).