SIS Planning & Assessment

Programatic Student Learning Outcomes

Students in the Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) will meet the following student learning outcomes (SLO):

SLO-1: Describe and identify political, social, legal, and ethical issues related to the role of information in society. Glossary: The role of information in society encompasses information creation, access, and use by individuals and groups in real-world settings.

SLO-2: Demonstrate an understanding of information technologies. Glossary: Appropriate information technologies encompass theories and tools in the context of library and information services.

SLO-3: Critically evaluate and synthesize research literature in LIS and other disciplines.

SLO-4: Describe and evaluate information services that reflect and respond to the needs of diverse constituencies. Glossary: Information services include but are not restricted to collection, organization, description, dissemination of information, programming, and outreach.

Students in the Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies (CARST) will meet the following student learning outcomes (SLO):

SLO-1: Apply contemporary archival theory to practice.

SLO-2: Advocate for equitable access to archival records reflective of a diverse society.

SLO-3: Provide sustainable stewardship of archival records.

SLO-4: Demonstrate professional values and ethics in archival practice.

Students in the Graduate Certificate in Records & Information Management (CRIM) will meet the following student learning outcomes (SLO):

SLO-1: Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts, principles, procedures and best practices associated with records and information management.

SLO-2: Develop strategies to cope with current issues related to records and information management.

SLO-3: Critically evaluate records and information management programs.

Students in the Graduate Certificate in School Librarianship (CSLIB) will meet the following student learning outcomes (SLO):

SLO-1: Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate plans, policies, and procedures to manage school libraries/school media centers.

SLO-2: Demonstrate an understanding of systems and methods used for describing and organizing information within the school library.

SLO-3: Demonstrate an understanding of the major categories of reference materials used in school libraries, both in print and electronic, and how to use them to answer reference questions.

SLO-4: Demonstrate the ability to apply the principles and concepts learned in coursework to practice in a school library. 

SIS Strategic Plan: 2018-2025

Vision

The School of Information Studies will be a leader in analyzing the complex intersections among individuals and communities, human communication and information, and informational, educational, and cultural heritage institutions.

Values

The School values and promotes equity, diversity, accountability, and intellectual openness. We engage with and are driven by real world issues and communities, and promote the essential role played by informational, educational, and cultural heritage institutions in all spheres of life.

Mission

The School's mission is to prepare leaders who will guide, direct, and administer informational and cultural heritage institutions in the 21st century. The School accomplishes this mission through research, discovery, and publication of knowledge in the field and by educating the next generation of leaders in:

  • collaboration, creative problem solving, innovation, and the management of information and institutions
  • the knowledge and skills needed to identify and understand individual and community needs and to facilitate progress through engagement with informational and educational materials and resources
  • the theory and practice of evaluating, collecting, describing, organizing, and disseminating information in any format and/or environment
  • the skills needed to teach individuals and communities to understand, manage, and preserve digital content
    fostering engagement with communities through professional service and collaboration 

Discovery & Research

The School will contribute to LSU's research-intensive mission by providing scholarship to advance knowledge and practice. 

2018 to 2025 Performance Indicators 

  • Scholarly, peer-reviewed publications will average a minimum of two per year per tenure track faculty
  • Sponsored research program proposals will reach a total of 10 proposal submissions annually
  • The average number of awarded grants will be 3 per year

Teaching & Learning

The School will offer innovative and challenging programs to attract, retain, and graduate students who excel in critical thinking, creative problem-solving, effective communication, and leadership. 

2018 to 2025 Performance Indicators

  • Undergraduate credit hours will increase by 100%
  • Enrollment of graduate students will increase by 7%
  • Graduate student credit hours will increase by 7%
  • Graduate-level degree completers will remain stable at 80%
  • Communication-intensive and honors courses will increase by 10% 

Diversity

The School will develop and nurture educational and professional environments that serve diverse, under-represented, oppressed, and vulnerable populations. 

2018 to 2025 Performance Indicators

  • Student enrollment from under-represented populations will increase by 2% each year
  • 25% of scholarly activities per year will be related to diversity 

Engagement

The School will cultivate engagements among our local, national, and global communities focused on addressing contemporary challenges to deepen civic and academic learning, enhance community well-being, and enrich scholarship. 

2018 to 2025 Performance Indicators

  • Increase the number of faculty engagement activities by 10%
  • Increase the School's number of service-learning courses by 100%
  • Increase participation in the School's continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities by 25%