The continuing education program is designed to offer librarians, archivists, and information specialists the opportunity to update and expand their professional competencies and skills. Specifically, it provides participants with opportunities to:

  • Engage in educational activities beyond those considered necessary for entrance into the field.
  • Reinforce previously acquired knowledge and skills for present-day applications.
  • Explore a new area within the field.
  • Engage in lifelong learning and prevent obsolescence of skills.

Taking courses post-master's

Post-master's students may apply as non-degree students to take selected courses. Whether you need to take a course for employment reasons, or you just want to stay current, our courses can help. Take a look at the Course Catalog, and see what catches your eye.

Post-Master's Certificate

Students may enroll in the post-master's certificate program which culminates in an advanced certificate in library and information science. This program consists of 24 graduate semester credit hours, six of which may be taken in related disciplines. Course selection is at the discretion of the student, so you can customize the program in any way you choose.

In this program, the student also may choose to register for an independent study to investigate a particular problem under the direction of a full-time faculty member. Arrangements for independent studies must be made with the instructor well in advance of registration.

Advanced Certificate Program in Cultural Heritage Information Management (CHIM)

The certificate is designed for those individuals possessing a master’s degree in a related field who work in libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, government, and other cultural memory institutions. The certificate program offers working professionals an opportunity to acquire and renew relevant skills for career adjustment in the field of cultural heritage information management.

Certificate candidates must complete five 3-credit classes:

  • LSC 612 Foundations of Digital Libraries
  • LSC 615 Metadata
  • LSC 635 Human Information Behavior
  • LSC 648 Digital Curation
  • LSC 677 History and Theory of Cultural Heritage Institutions

NOTE: Candidates are encouraged to consult with an advisor (Dr. Choi) about the certificate and courses.

Certificate Admission Requirements

  • Applicants for the advanced certificate program are required to have a master’s degree in a relevant field and professional working experience of at least 2 years in the field (employer letter or proof of employment required); applicants are not required to take the GRE.
  • Graduate Non-degree Application Form, accompanied by a $60 nonrefundable application fee. Applicants should list Advanced Certificate in Cultural Heritage Information Management under “Specify course(s) you plan to take.”
  • Transcript showing award of master’s degree.

Requirements for Completion

  • Completion of the five courses (15 credit hours) of the certificate program.
  • A maximum period of course completion is 24 months.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0.

Advanced Certificate Program in Library Leadership and Management

A joint program of the Busch School of Business and Library and Information Science, the Advanced Certificate Program in Library Leadership and Management is intended for librarians who have completed their master's, but have found themselves in management positions or feel they need competency in management to advance in their careers. It offers the management education librarians may have missed in library school, and it is specifically designed with the needs of working librarians in mind.

It is flexible and customizable to meet the needs of librarian-managers in all sectors of the profession: higher education, public librarianship, school library media programs, specialized information and knowledge services, and those working in nontraditional information services roles.

The Advanced Certificate requires 18 credit hours, consisting of the following 6 courses:

  • MSM 505: Project Management (Busch School of Business)
  • MBU 652: Managerial Decision-Making: Finance and Budgeting (Busch School of Business)
  • LSC 672: Management
  • LSC 635: Human Information Behavior
  • LSC 675: Research Methods in Library and Information Science
  • LSC 695A: Practicum

How to apply

Applicants who wish to study as non-degree or post-master's students must submit the following:

  •  Online application, accompanied by a $60 nonrefundable application fee. Post-Master's applicants should list Advanced Certificate in Library Leadership and Management or Advanced Certificate in CHIM under "Specify course(s) you plan to take," if applicable.

  • Official transcripts sent directly from the regionally accredited colleges or universities that awarded the applicant's undergraduate and graduate degrees.  Applicants for the Post-Master's Certificate should also send official transcripts from their master's degree.

International Students

Library and Information Science requires that applicants from non-English-speaking nations whose previous education has not been at institutions of higher education in the United States certify their proficiency in English by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score on the TOEFL of 580 (paper-based test) or 237 (computer-based test) or 92 (Internet-based test) is expected. On the IELTS, an Overall Band score of 6.5 or higher is required.

A certified translated copy of your transcript is needed if it is not in the English language.

For more information, including deadlines for international applicants, see Catholic University's International Students Admission page.

Application Deadlines

All applications are due by the dates listed below. There will be no exceptions.  

  • November 15 - Applicants for spring admission
  • April 1 - Applicants for summer admission
  • July 15 - Applicants for fall admission