School of Information Science Self-Study Master of Science in Library Science for the American Library Association Committee on Accreditation 2017 School organized and maintained for the purpose of graduate education in Library and Information Science School of Information Science Degree program being presented for accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) The program presented for accreditation is a 36-hour graduate degree program through which students earn the Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) degree. The American Library Association first granted accreditation to the Bachelor of Science in Library Science at the University of Kentucky in 1942. The MSLS program was first awarded accreditation from the American Library Association in 1949 and has continuously maintained its accreditation. Parent Institution The University of Kentucky Chief Executive Officer, University of Kentucky Eli Capilouto, President Chief Academic Officer, University of Kentucky Tim Tracy, Provost (stepping down effective December 31, 2017) Principal Administrator, College of Communication and Information Dan O’Hair, Dean Principal Administrator, School of Information Science Jeff Huber, Director and Professor Regional Accrediting Agency and Status Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Reaffirmed: 2013; Next Reaffirmation: 2023 Title and Version of the Standards Addressed in the Program Presentation Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies, 2015 i ii Table of Contents List of Abbreviations ......................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ xi List of Figures .................................................................................................................... xiv List of Appendices .............................................................................................................. xv Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 The Institution ................................................................................................................................ 1 The School ...................................................................................................................................... 2 The Program ................................................................................................................................... 4 Program Changes ................................................................................................................. 5 Degree Options ............................................................................................................................... 6 Exit assessment .............................................................................................................................. 6 Course Delivery ............................................................................................................................... 8 Opportunities and Challenges .............................................................................................. 9 Student and Alumni Accomplishments ............................................................................... 10 Ongoing Revision ................................................................................................................ 11 The Self-Study Process ............................................................................................................... 14 Summary of Document ............................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 1: Systematic Planning ........................................................................................ 16 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 16 Standard I.1 .................................................................................................................................. 16 Planning Environment ......................................................................................................... 17 University Planning ....................................................................................................................... 17 College Planning ........................................................................................................................... 19 Program Planning ......................................................................................................................... 19 Program Strategic Planning ..................................................................................................... 19 Constituencies of the LIS program ........................................................................................... 21 I.1.1 and I.1.2 Continuous Assessment and Review .......................................................... 24 LIS Program Assessment Plan ..................................................................................................... 24 Program Data Gathering Activities ............................................................................................... 25 Internal Mechanisms ................................................................................................................ 25 Course-level Data ................................................................................................................. 25 Exit Requirement Data ......................................................................................................... 26 Assessment Reporting ......................................................................................................... 27 Technology and Diversity Audits .......................................................................................... 28 External Mechanisms ............................................................................................................... 28 Graduate Surveys ................................................................................................................ 28 Alumni and Employer Surveys ............................................................................................. 28 External Advisory Council Feedback ................................................................................... 29 The Planning Cycle ....................................................................................................................... 29 Review of Vision, Mission, Goals, and Student Learning Outcomes ........................................... 31 Vision, Mission, and Goals, 2010-2016 .................................................................................... 32 Vision, Mission, and Goals, 2016-present ................................................................................ 33 I.1.3 Improvements Based on Data .................................................................................... 33 Program Learning Outcomes ........................................................................................................ 33 Curriculum .................................................................................................................................... 34 iii Faculty .......................................................................................................................................... 36 Students ........................................................................................................................................ 36 I.1.4 Communication and Consistency of Policies ............................................................. 37 Communication ............................................................................................................................. 37 Consistency .................................................................................................................................. 37 University-level ............................................................................................................................. 37 UK Strategic Vision ................................................................................................................... 38 UK Strategic Objectives ........................................................................................................... 38 College-level ................................................................................................................................. 39 College Vision ........................................................................................................................... 39 College Mission ........................................................................................................................ 39 College Goals ........................................................................................................................... 39 Program-level ............................................................................................................................... 39 Standard I.2 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