MLIS/Master of Business Administration Dual Degree

Prepare for leadership roles in large library systems and other knowledge management careers through Dominican’s combined MLIS and Master of Business Administration program. By earning both degrees simultaneously you’ll save time and money, and benefit from an integrated curriculum.

Today’s libraries are rapidly changing, complex and dynamic institutions. Leadership of large library systems, in particular, requires professionals experienced in a wide range of traditional business roles from human resources management and budgeting to marketing and transformative leadership.

We offer a leading-edge dual degree program that will expand your career opportunities.

  • Choose from online, in-person or hybrid classes to suit your schedule
  • Log in and study anytime in asynchronous online classes
  • Select from multiple in-person class times, including evenings
  • Complete practicums and internships that build real-world skills
  • Connect to a strong alumni network of library and information leaders around the world

Take the next step. Request Information Today

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.

Dominican’s MLIS Plus MBA 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
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. Choose from Dominican’s MBA program concentrations (requiring 9 credit hours) in topics like: accounting, data analytics, finance, healthcare administration, international business administration, leadership or marketing. Looking to earn a stand alone MBA? Learn about our MBA program

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.

What to Expect as You Earn Your MLIS/MBA 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 MLIS/MBA 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.

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. See what sets us apart

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. See what sets our iSchool apart

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
Strong graduate retention, achievement and career outcomes

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 the field upon graduation. See our graduates' completion, achievement and career outcomes (pdf)

Financing Your MLIS/MBA Degree

Along with opportunities for financial aid through loans and grants, the School of Information Studies offers a variety of departmental scholarships, including the Mary Majer Scholarship for MLIS students, depending upon your area of study.

Contact our Office of Financial Aid to learn more. We can be reached at (708) 524-6809 or finaid@dom.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can I do with a dual degree in business and information science?

An MLIS/MBA 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
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
  • GRE or MAT scores (taken within the last five years)
  • Two recommendations (from an employer, professor or professional colleague)

Before you apply, make sure you review the full application and admission requirements for both the MLIS program and the MBA program.

Ready to take the next step? Apply now online

Prepare for a Career Where You Can Make a Difference

Library and information science is a complex and impactful area of study that helps preserve our history, inform our future and educate our communities. Be a part of something meaningful and in-demand. Request information today

*On January 10, 2016, 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 2022. View the 2015 MLIS program presentation (pdf)