MBA/MLIS Combined Program
In this inter-faculty combined degree program, students may complete the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree in conjunction with the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. This program typically extends over three years of full-time study. For more information on the MBA program see the Alberta School of Business.
This combined program is taught on- campus at the University of Alberta.
Entry Routes
To take the MBA/MLIS combined program students must satisfy the entrance requirements for both programs. Prospective students apply in one of two ways:
- Apply directly to the MBA/MLIS program (students will complete one application form).
- Apply during and up to the completion of the first year in their hybrid MLIS program.
Application dates and deadlines may vary depending on your entry route. Refer to the MBA program for their most up to date application deadlines. Please note that admissions to the MBA program are completed on a rolling basis, and it is strongly recommended to apply early.
Program Requirements
The MBA/MLIS program requires 81 credits (★81) for completion:
- ★45 from the MBA program
- ★30 in core courses
- ★15 in electives + capping course
- ★36 from the MLIS program
- ★18 in required courses (core + IT)
- ★18 in elective courses
All students enrolled in the MBA/MLIS combined program will take each program's respective required courses (except LIS 504). The majority of courses in both programs are three credits (★3) each.
Courses
Required MLIS Courses
All students will take the following required MLIS courses.
- LIS 501 – Foundations of Library and Information Studies
- LIS 502 – Organization of Information
- LIS 503 – Reference and Information Services
- LIS 505 – Introduction to Research in Library and Information Studies
- Two (2) LIS Information Technology (IT) courses
Required MBA Courses
All students will take the following required MBA core courses in Year Two of the MBA/MLIS.
- ACCTG 501 – Introduction to Financial Reporting and Analysis
- ACCTG 523 – Accounting Information and Internal Decision Making
- BUEC 503 – Economic Foundations
- BUS 505 – Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
- FIN 501 – Managerial Finance
- MARK 502 – Principles of Marketing Management
- MGTSC 501 – Data Analysis and Decision Making
- SEM 501 – Leading People
- SEM 502 – Organization Strategy/Managing Organizations
- One of:
- BUEC 542 – International Business
- BUEC 646 – The Global Business Environment
- OM 502 – Operations Management
Students will also take the following at the beginning of the MBA program:
- BUS 501 – Business Skills Orientation (★0)
- BUS 504 – Career Management Skills (★0)
MBA students are required to take the capping exercise course SEM 641 – Business Strategy in Year Three of the program.
Year One – ★24 MLIS
- ★12 in LIS required courses (LIS 501, LIS 502, LIS 503, LIS 505)
- Up to ★6 in required Information Technology (IT) courses
- Up to ★6 in LIS Core Electives (IT or non-IT)
Year Two – ★30 MBA
- ★30 MBA required core course
Year Three – ★27 MBA/MLIS
- ★15 MBA
- SEM 641
- Four MBA electives
- ★12 MLIS (LIS electives and up to one designated Information Technology courses)
Before You Apply
The MBA/MLIS is a combined degree program, therefore students must meet the entrance requirements for, and be admitted by, both programs. There are limited enrolment numbers and admissions to both programs is competitive. Students interested in applying are encourage to begin working on their application well in advance of the application deadline(s). Please note that students in the online MLIS are not eligible for the MBA/MLIS program.
Applicants are evaluated by the MBA program on a rolling basis. Once a complete application package is submitted the Alberta School of Business conducts an interview with the candidate. Generally applicants will receive a decision notification one to two weeks after the interview. See the MBA/MLIS website for more information.
In assessing a candidate's academic and professional qualifications, the following criteria are used:
- Recognized undergraduate degree with GPA of at least 3.0 (see international GPA equivalents)
- English Language Proficiency for Non-native English speakers (see exemptions)
- Professional work experience
- Statement of Intent letter
- Two letters of reference
- Admissions interviews
See entrance requirements for more information about our admission criteria.
All applicants must meet the minimum admissions requirements to be considered for admission. These include:
- A completed four-year undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- English Language Proficiency
- Technology Proficiency
- Supporting Documentation.
See the Admissions page for more information.
Application Process
Students can apply to the MBA/MLIS in one of two ways:
- Apply Directly to the MBA/MLIS.
- Apply during the first year of the MLIS program.
Apply Directly
Students can apply directly to the MBA/MLIS, which requires one application form. The application will be received by both programs. Administrators for both programs will consult regarding admission to the combined degree program.
All supporting documentation for both programs (MBA and MLIS) should be submitted to the Alberta School of Business. Students admitted to the MBA component of the program will then be forwarded to the SLIS office for admission to the MLIS component of the program.
Apply During First Year of the MLIS
Currently attending hybrid MLIS students can apply to switch to the MBA/MLIS during the first year of their MLIS program. Current students interested in changing to the MBA/MLIS are encouraged to discuss that with their Faculty Advisor and the SLIS Graduate Coordinator.
Students that are already admitted to and enrolled in the MLIS program are able to apply to the combined MBA/MLIS program directly, via email, to the MBA Office. There is no application fee. The entrance requirements for the combined program are different from the standard admission requirements to the MBA program. To apply students would need to submit:
- A complete MBA/MLIS application form
- A resume outlining professional and volunteer experience
- Transcript of completed undergraduate degree and any in-progress academic transcripts, if applicable
After submitting your application, a member of our admissions team will conduct a first review. Qualified applicants will then be sent a request to complete our initial interview. The initial interview is a video interview via Kira Talent that includes four verbal response questions and one written response question. After completing the initial interview, successful candidates will be invited to complete a second and final interview, in-person, with a member of the Admissions Committee.
Other Information
At the time of admission, each student is assigned a Program Advisor from both the School of Library and Information Studies and the Alberta School of Business who will each provide advice and counselling in adapting the combined MBA/MLIS program to match career goals and objectives. Students should also consult the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies Graduate Program Manual, the University Calendar, and the Digital Humanities website for additional information.
The Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement provides foundational ethics education for all graduate students. The requirement for masters students consists of one zero- credit, self-paced online course: INT D 710: Ethics and Academic Citizenship. There is no additional tuition or fees for the course, and it does not impact full-time or part-time status.
The timeline for completion of the Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement will depend on several factors, including when the student began their program and when they expect to complete their program.
A full-time student who is registered for the combined MBA/MLIS program normally will be able to complete the degree requirements in three years. Students may undertake the combined program on a part-time basis. The duration of the total program must not exceed six consecutive calendar years.
Application Dates + Deadlines
Application Dates and Deadlines will vary depending on the entry route, and whether or not students are domestic (Canadian citizen or permanent resident) or international.
Contact
Please direct admissions and program inquiries to slis@ualberta.ca.