PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Emporia State University (ESU) Office of Graduate Studies and Research and the School of Library and Information Management (SLIM) jointly administer the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Library and Information Management. The degree is designed to prepare scholars for leadership in teaching, research, and administration in higher education, information organizations, and related fields.

The SLIM doctoral program is based on a core curriculum of four foundational courses, four research courses, and four advanced courses in a concentration. In addition, students take a course in teaching and learning in organizations before beginning the guided readings that prepare them for the qualifying exam and subsequent dissertation research. The SLIM doctoral program is fully online with some required synchronous sessions. There is no residency requirement

To meet qualifications for the Instructional Design Technology (IDT) concentration, students may choose 12 credit hours from the courses offered for IDT. The course options are listed in the Guide to SLIM Doctoral Studies. For students who elect to do the IDT concentration, their transcript will state “Doctor of Philosophy” with a major in Library and Information Management and concentration in Instructional Design Technology. This concentration is designed for professionals who wish to apply technology and related software to instructional processes of the library and information field.

The Guide to SLIM Doctoral Studies (2022) provides detailed information about program requirements and applying to the ESU Office of Graduate Studies and Research and the School of Library and Information Management. The program accepts new students every two years.

Applicants are accepted based on their educational achievement, experience, and interests. The program requires a minimum of 56 credit hours for the doctoral degree. Applicants must have already completed a master’s degree (in any related discipline) of at least 34 credit hours to meet ESU’s requirement of 90 graduate credits for the degree.

For more information about the SLIM Ph.D. program, please contact Dr. Mirah Dow, Doctoral Program Coordinator, at mdow@emporia.edu.

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