Student Performance Measures

The MLIS Program has 12 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) regarding knowledge and/or skills that students will possess upon completion of the program. The outcomes of the MLIS degree program are to develop information literate, reflective practitioners who have the ability to:

  1. Identify and analyze information needs and opportunities of individuals and organizations.
  2. Demonstrate critical thinking by integrating relevant models, theories, research and practices.
  3. Demonstrate management, interpersonal and organizational skills.
  4. Demonstrate leadership and advocacy skills.
  5. Communicate knowledge from library and information studies and related disciplines.
  6. Demonstrate information technology fluency.
  7. Demonstrate understanding of the selection, acquisition, licensing, organization, preservation, retrieval, and use of recorded knowledge and information resources.
  8. Promote and model the professional values of ethical responsibility, intellectual freedom, and universal access to information.
  9. Demonstrate awareness of diverse groups and how to serve them effectively.
  10. Teach others to identify, analyze, organize, and use information.
  11. Articulate a philosophy of service that demonstrates an understanding of the history, philosophy, principles, policies, and ethics of library and information science and technology.
  12. Participate in ongoing professional development.

Performance Indicators
The MLIS faculty developed indicators of mastery for the 12 student learning outcomes.
Behavioral Indicators

Calendar of Focused Assessments
The MLIS program uses a six-year calendar of focused assessments for the 12 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), and Five Threads (Ethics, Diversity, Leadership, Research, Technology) that are interwoven throughout the curriculum.

Year 1 (AY 2010-2011)
Learning Outcomes:

  • 6. Demonstrate information technology fluency.
  • 10. Teach others to identify, analyze, organize, and use information.
  • Thread: Technology

Year 2 (AY 2011-2012)
Learning Outcomes:

  • 3. Demonstrate management, interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • 4. Demonstrate leadership and advocacy skills.
  • Thread: Leadership

Year 3 (AY 2012-2013)
Learning Outcomes:

  • 7. Demonstrate understanding of the selection, acquisition, licensing, organization, preservation, retrieval, and use of recorded knowledge and information resources.
  • 12. Participate in on-going professional development opportunities.
  • No thread assessed.

Year 4 (AY 2013-2014)
Learning Outcomes:

  • 2. Demonstrate critical thinking by integrating relevant models, theories, research and practices.
  • 5. Communicate knowledge from library and information studies and related disciplines.
  • Thread: Research

Year 5 (AY 2014-2015)
Learning Outcomes:

  • 8. Promote and model the professional values of ethical responsibility, intellectual freedom, and universal access to information.
  • 11. Articulate a philosophy of service that demonstrates an understanding of the history, philosophy, principles, policies, and ethics of library and information science and technology.
  • Thread: Ethics

Year 6 (AY 2015-2016)
Learning Outcomes:

  • 9. Demonstrate awareness of diverse groups and how to serve them effectively.
  • 1. Identify and analyze information needs and opportunities of individuals and organizations.
  • Thread: Diversity

Assessment of Learning Basic Activities

St. Catherine University requires programs to develop and carry out an Outcomes-Based Assessment Plan (OBAP) for assessment of student learning, and for program evaluation. The following lists the main activities for collecting data about MLIS student learning:

Surveys

  • Entering Student Survey (Fall, Spring)
  • Exiting Student Survey (Fall, Spring)
  • Alumnae Survey (Fall, administered by IRPA office)
  • Current Student Survey (Spring, administered by IRPA office)
  • Grad Exit Survey (Spring, administered by IRPA Office)
  • Employer Survey (every three years)

Portfolios

  • Required for graduating MLIS Students as of Fall 2011; first review Spring 2013
    Portfolio Guidelines and Evaluation Rubric
  • Required for SLMS students as part of LIS 7283/7286 Clinical Experience/Supervised Student Teaching

Courses

  • Touchstone (1-credit, mid-point of program)
  • Capstone (3-credits, end of program)

Reports
The Program's accreditation Program Presentation (Fall 2010) and summary reports on recent progress and improvements for the MLIS program are available on the page for Accreditation.