The Advanced Certificate in Social Justice in the Information Professions offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of social justice and to develop practical advocacy skills for the information professions. This 12-credit, fully online program can be completed in one year as a stand-alone credential or taken concurrently with the Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MS-LIS) program.
Grounded in the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility, the Certificate provides the knowledge, leadership capabilities, and applied tools needed to address systemic inequities and promote collective well-being in an information-driven society. The program emphasizes social justice, ethical responsibility, and professional advocacy by preparing graduates to lead with integrity and insight in complex and multicultural environments.
Course Descriptions
LIS 222 Materials and Services to Diverse Populations
Explores the information needs, seeking behaviors, and use patterns of diverse user groups. Emphasizes service to racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited access to print or digital information. Topics include needs assessment, resource evaluation, program planning, the digital divide, and compliance with relevant federal regulations. Encourages practical strategies for engaging and serving historically underserved populations.
LIS 275 Cultural Competence for Information Professionals
Prepares students to apply the principles and practices of cultural competence across individual, organizational, and community contexts. Focuses on inclusive decision-making, equitable program design, and service development. Includes experiential learning and reflective exercises to foster DEI-centered leadership within information organizations.
LIS 283 Social Justice in the Information Professions
Examines the intersection of social justice and information work through theoretical study and collaborative dialogue. Topics include social justice theory, the philosophy and history of human rights, and activism in the field of librarianship. Explores information access as a human development issue, with particular attention to services for underserved populations—including ethnic, religious, sexual, and linguistic minorities; those living in poverty; and communities in the Global South.
LIS 320 Fake News and Misinformation
Frames access to accurate and authoritative information as a social justice issue. Examines the spread of misinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories, along with their impact on civic life and public health. Investigates the emotional and cognitive factors that shape information behavior and offers tools for critical media literacy, strategies to counter misinformation, and practices that support informed democratic participation.