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.

MLIS/MA Geography

The MLIS/MA Geography Coordinated Degree Program prepares students for positions as map librarians. Graduates of the program are qualified to assume positions as curators and staff in map collections of universities, governmental agencies, and industry.

Application Deadlines

If at any time you are unsure about a published date or deadline, call the Registrar's Office at (414) 229-3800 or submit a contact form online.

Credits and Courses

The M.A. in Geography normally has a minimum requirement of 24 credits in geography. For the coordinated MA Geography/MLIS degree program, however, students can substitute 6 credits in INFOST courses for 6 credits of geography. This program, therefore, requires a total of 48 credits. Students must complete the 30 credits required for the MLIS degree and the 18 credits in Geography courses specified below.

The Geography Department offers opportunities for fieldwork that may count toward these requirements. In addition to off-campus fieldwork, the American Geographical Society Collection at the UWM Golda Meir Library provides many unique opportunities for map librarianship fieldwork and is an appropriate site for an internship.

Graduates of the program are qualified to assume positions as curators and staff members in map collections of universities, governmental agencies, and industry. In cases where map collections are not of sufficient size to warrant separation as distinct collections, knowledge of how to store, classify, and retrieve maps will be a valuable set of skills that enhance the qualifications of the information professional.

Basic Required MLIS Courses

Important

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