Overview
As do many other professionals, attorneys require
both specialized and general information. The
highly sophisticated electronic information storage
and retrieval systems available for researching
the law are extremely complex. Sometimes this
complexity creates problems for information seekers
and can limit their access to relevant information.
For this reason, many lawyers rely on knowledgeable
information professionals to obtain the information
they seek.
To prepare working professionals for a new career
or advancement in legal information management,
Emporia State University and the University of
Kansas School of Law are offering two new options:
- A master of legal information management
degree
- A legal information management certificate
The objective of the program is to prepare knowledgeable
information professionals who can identify, retrieve,
repackage, and reorganize information required
in legal research and case preparation. Graduates
and certificate holders are qualified to work
in a variety of academic and nonacademic professional
settings, including law firms, corporate law departments,
and government agencies. They are also qualified
to practice as information brokers and entrepreneurs
in established and emerging markets.
“The legal information management program
is an exciting proposition and an excellent door-opener
for anyone interested in getting into the field
of law librarianship.”
--Marie Mack, JD, MLS, Emporia State University
(1999); Academic Account Manager, West Group
“I wish the legal information management
program had been in place when I was going through
school. I see program graduates as having job
opportunities in the court system and in county,
state, law firm, and academic law libraries.”
--Kaaren Pupino, Head of Technical Services,
Thormodsgard Law Library, University of North
Dakota; Graduate, Emporia State School of Library
and Information Management (1996)
The Program
Emporia State University and the University of
Kansas School of Law provide a high-quality curriculum
in the specialty area of legal information management.
The program blends knowledge of law with knowledge
of information management to produce information
professionals who provide client-centered information
services for the legal profession.
The program was developed for a national audience
because of its unique approach and need. Courses
are delivered using a combination of face-to-face
and Internet-based methods. Many courses are delivered
solely via the Internet.
All face-to-face classes occur in an intensive
weekend format especially suited for working professionals.
Classes meet Friday evening, all day Saturday,
and Sunday morning, once or twice a semester.
Emporia State University awards the degrees and
certificates.
The courses are be offered in Lawrence on the University
of Kansas campus and other locations and can be
taken for degree credit leading to a master of
legal information management degree or for a fifteen
credit-hour certificate in legal information management.
Program Sponsors
ESU School of Library and Information Management
The mission of the ESU
School of Library
and Information Management is “to offer
high-quality, learner-centered programs necessary
for the preparation of library and information
professionals in the knowledge society of the
21st century.” To fulfill this mission,
the school prepares library and information professionals
for careers in information agencies, including
libraries, archives, and research centers, and
for other information positions in the public
and private sectors. The school celebrated its
100th year in 2002.
KU School of Law
The University of Kansas
School of Law
is among the oldest in the nation and has a long
and valued tradition of graduating men and women
who are well-trained in the law and committed
to professional achievement and public service.
The school provides a varied curriculum and a
full complement of extracurricular activities
to introduce students to the range of opportunities
for traditional and nontraditional practice. Students
develop technical competence and pride in legal
craftsmanship. They come to understand the role
of law and the importance of lawyering in an orderly
society.
Delivery of Courses
Classes for the certificate and master's degree
programs are delivered in formats designed for
students who work full time. Many courses will
be offered as Internet courses.
For Further Information
Priority application deadline for graduate
program and certificate: May 15, 2005
Regarding prerequisites or degree requirements:
Contact Robert A. Mead, rmead@ku.edu
, 785-864-9280, or (toll free) 866-540-4997.
