25 Best Masters’ Degrees in Library Science

The University of Michigan offers a Master of Science in Information through its School of Information. The professional degree program prepares students for innovative careers in information management. Students can choose from three broad interest areas in archives and library science, data science, and user experience and computing. The MSI program consists of 48 credits of study. All students are required to spend at least two academic years in residence and to complete an internship experience. Students have the option to culminate their studies through a professional mastery course or a research thesis. The degree program can be completed in two years on a full-time basis or in three to four part-time years.

Founded in 1817 in Detroit, U of M is a public research university in Ann Arbor, with regional campuses in the Michigan towns of Dearborn and Flint. It is considered one of the most prominent research universities in the nation. The U of M library system consists of 19 libraries and 24 separate collections, totaling more than 13 million volumes. The university was the original home of the JSTOR research journal database. At the graduate level, U.S. News & World Reportranks U of M fifth in Library and Information Studies Programs, and first in both Archives and Preservation and Information Systems. The site also lists the university 27th overall nationally, 12th in innovation, and fourth among public schools.

Drexel University offers a Master of Science in Information with a major in Library & Information Science. Offered through the university's College of Computing & Informatics, the program builds students' skills in collaboration, data analysis, innovation, and leadership. It can be completed online or residentially on a full- or part-time basis. The curriculum consists of 15 courses, totaling 45 credits. Library Science courses include Leading and Managing Information Organizations; Organization of Data and Information; and Users, Services & Resources. Students culminate the program through a project-based capstone or research project. Graduates of the program are prepared to work in archives, corporations, government agencies, and libraries.

Drexel was founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony Drexel. Previously an institute of technology, it is now a private research university. It operates three campuses across the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan area. A key feature of the university is its cooperative education program, which offers students the opportunity to gain paid, full-time work experience in their field. The American Library Association has accredited the university's MS in Information in Library & Information Science since 1924. U.S. News & World Reportranks the program No. 11 in Best Library and Information Studies Programs at the graduate level. U.S. Newsalso ranks Drexel No. 102 in National Universities, No. 67 in Best Value Schools, and No. 13 in Most Innovative Schools.

The University of Southern California offers a Master of Management in Library and Information Science. The degree program can be completed entirely online to meet the needs of working professionals. It emphasizes leadership and management skills in the fields of library and information science. The curriculum consists of 12 courses, totaling 31 credits. Core courses include Business Fundamentals for Non-Business Professionals, Collection Development and Management, and Management Communication for Leaders. Elective offerings include Library and Information Technology Management and Strategic Information and Competitive Analysis. The curriculum culminates in a Research and Professional Application capstone. The program spans five 15-week semesters and can be completed in as few as 20 months.

Founded in 1880, USC is a member of the Association of American Universities. The university's innovations include antivirus software, DNA computing, and the Domain Name System. It is home to a network of 24 libraries and information centers. This network consists of the university's digital library, and libraries focused on cinema, medicine, and philosophy. The American Library Association accredits the university's MMLIS program. U.S. News & World Reportlists USC No. 37 in Best Value Schools, No. 28 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 22 in National Universities.

Simmons University offers a Master of Library and Information Science. The customizable degree program may be completed in a hybrid or fully online format. Students can choose from Archives Management, Cultural Heritage, and School Library Teacher program concentrations. The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours of study. Course offerings include Book Publishing and Librarianship, Information Services for Diverse Users, and Social Informatics. The program also offers opportunities for hands-on internships, site visits, and work experiences across New England. Graduates of the program go on to careers as digital librarians, school media specialists, web developers, and more.

Simmons University was founded in 1899 by clothing manufacturer John Simmons. On the undergraduate level, it is a private women's university. The university's graduate programs are co-educational, accepting students regardless of gender. The campus is located near the Back Bay Fens parkland in Boston, Massachusetts. A notable alumnus of the MLIS program is the information architect, professor, and writer Alex Wright. The university's MLIS program is ranked 12th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. It ranks fourth in children and youth services and third in archives and preservation. The site also ranks Simmons the 11th best university in the northern United States and fourth nationally for best value.

The State University of New York at Albany offers a Master of Science in Information Science. The interdisciplinary degree program covers the areas of data analysis, information management and processing, and library science. It offers five concentration options: Archives and Records Administration, Data Analysis, Information Management and Technology, Intelligence Analysis, and Library and Information Services. Core courses include the Administration of Information Agencies, The Information Environment, and Research Methods. The program also requires a 150-hour supervised internship in an information services agency. The internship experience culminates in a paper or project report. Graduates are prepared for careers as historic document archivists, information architects, intelligence analysts, and special collections librarians.

SUNY Albany was founded in 1844 as an educator preparation school. Today, the school is a public research university and a constituent of the State University of New York System. The university operates two campuses in Albany County and one in Rensselaer, New York. It has two libraries, which together hold more than two million volumes. The libraries offer information literacy and user education programs. The university's MS in Information Science is accredited by the American Library Association and ranked 22nd in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. Newsalso ranks SUNY Albany at No. 140 in National Universities, No. 82 in Best Value Schools, and No. 70 in Top Public Schools.

Syracuse University offers a Master of Science in Library and Information Science. Offered through the university's School of Information Studies, the degree program covers contemporary librarianship in communities and organizations. Students can choose from 11 focus areas, including but not limited to, data librarianship, historical materials, management, and youth services librarianship. The degree requires 36 credits of study. Core courses include Information Policy and Reference and Information Literacy Services. The curriculum also consists of a two- to three-day graduate immersion residency workshop. The degree program is typically completed within two years. Students may also choose to pursue a LIS degree with a School Media specialization, which can be completed in a hybrid or fully online format.

Syracuse traces its roots to a seminary founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in Lima, New York. Today, it is a private research university in Syracuse, New York. Its main library is the Ernest S. Bird Library, which includes a special collections center with works by such figures as Descartes, Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton, and Voltaire. It is also home to the personal library of Leopold Von Ranke, and first edition works by Rudyard Kipling. The university's LIS program has been accredited by the American Library Association since 1928 and is ranked fourth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.It ranks fourth in both its Digital Librarianship and School Library Media specializations, and second in Information Systems. The site also lists the university at No. 53 nationally and No. 51 for best value.

The University of Alabama offers a Master of Library and Information Studies. Applicants should have a recent graduate degree or five years of experience in the field. The degree program requires 36 credit hours of study. It follows a cohort model, meaning peer groups of students move through the coursework together, and is designed to be completed in a primarily online format, with live virtual sessions one evening per week. In addition, students are required to take a few weekend courses at the university's Gadsden Center. Required courses include Information Technologies, Organization of Information, and Research Methods. The curriculum also consists of a management component, with course options such as Academic Libraries, Public Libraries, and School Media Centers. Students also have the opportunity to pursue a State of Alabama School Library Media Certification.

Established in 1820, UA is the oldest and largest public university in Alabama. It is a public sea- and space-grant research university. Located in the heart of Tuscaloosa, UA is the flagship institution of the University of Alabama System. The university was notably a center of activity throughout the Civil Rights Movement and the American Civil War. Its University Libraries system consists of six libraries, including those specializing in business, government documents, health sciences, science and engineering, and special collections. The university's MLIS degree is accredited by the American Library Association and ranked at No. 28 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The site also ranks UA at No. 129 nationally, No. 80 for best value, and No. 61 among public institutions.

The University of Arizona offers a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science. The degree program is offered through the university's College of Social & Behavioral Sciences and School of Information. It can be completed on campus or entirely online. Students may choose to concentrate in an area such as archival studies, digital information management, or medical and community health information. The degree requires 37 units of study. Core courses include Ethics for Library and Information Professionals and Research Methods for Library and Information Professionals. The curriculum culminates in a capstone internship experience. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in archives, government, information centers, libraries, and museums.

UA was founded in 1885 as the first university in Arizona. Today, the public research university is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Located in Tucson, the campus includes the Arizona Health Sciences Library, the Science and Engineering Library, and the University of Arizona Poetry Center. Writer David Foster Wallace was a UA alumnus, and linguist Noam Chomsky is a UA professor. The American Library Association accredits the university's MA in Library and Information Science. U.S. News & World Reportranks the program at No. 22 in the nation. The university is also listed at No. 106 nationally, No. 97 for best value, and No. 46 among public schools.

Kent State University offers a Master of Library & Information Science through its School of Information. The degree requires a minimum of 37 credits of study. Core courses include The Information Landscape, People in the Information Ecology, and Research and Assessment in Library and Information Science. The curriculum culminates in a master's portfolio, though students who wish to pursue further education or research careers may also pursue a thesis. Students have the option to take interdisciplinary courses in areas such as health informatics, knowledge management, and user experience design. They may also choose to pursue a dual degree in a subject such as business administration or education. Graduates of the MLIS program go on to work in various companies, cultural organizations, information agencies, libraries, and museums.

KSU was established in 1910 as a teacher training school. It has since become a public research university. The university was noted in the 1970s for its anti-Vietnam War student activism. In addition to its main campus in Kent, KSU operates schools and facilities across Ohio, as well as locations in New York City and Florence, Italy. The university offers the only MLIS program in the state of Ohio. It is accredited by the American Library Association and ranked at No. 19 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The site also ranks KSU at No. 191 in National Universities and No. 104 in Top Public Schools.

The Kutztown University of Pennsylvania offers multiple routes to its Master of Library Science degree. Students may choose to pursue degrees with initial or extended certifications. The standard MLS without certification is ideal for students interested in working in corporate or public libraries. It requires 36 credit hours of study. The core curriculum covers areas such as collection development, information organization, information sources and services, and library management. Required courses include Collecting and Curating Print and Digital Resources, Educational Program of the School Library Media Center, and Technologies for the 21st Century Educator. Students may choose to complete an independent study or an internship in a public or unique library setting. The program culminates in a comprehensive portfolio and review.

Kutztown University was established in 1866 as a teacher training school. Today, it is a public university and a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university is a census-designated place just outside the borough of Kutztown in Pennsylvania. Campus facilities include a planetarium and observatory, an early learning center and curriculum materials center, and the Pennsylvania German Heritage Center. The campus is about a half an hour drive from Philadelphia and a two-hour drive from New York City. U.S. News & World Reportlists KU at No. 137 in Regional Universities North and No. 44 in Top Public Schools.

The Catholic University of America offers a Master of Science in Library and Information Science. The degree program emphasizes hands-on learning through fieldwork and internships. It requires 36 semester hours of graduate credit. The core curriculum covers areas such as ethics, information management, and technological applications. Students may choose to focus the remainder of their program on an area such as Cultural Heritage Information Management, School Library Media, or Law Librarianship. The curriculum culminates in a comprehensive exam. The degree program is typically completed within three years. Graduates of the program are prepared for work in academic libraries, special libraries, and information organizations.

CUA was founded in 1887 by U.S. Catholic bishops. It is now a private pontifical Catholic university. The campus is located in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The community is known as "Little Rome" for its several Catholic institutions. The university has 22 research facilities and seven specialized libraries. The university's MS in Library and Information Science is the only LIS master's degree program offered in Washington, D.C. U.S. News & World Reportranks CUA at No. 129 nationally and No. 70 for best value. The university is ranked at No. 32 in Best Library and Information Studies Programs at the graduate level.

The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee offers a Master of Library & Information Science. The highly customizable program can be completed online or on campus. Students must complete a minimum of 36 graduate credits. Required courses include Information Access and Retrieval and Organization of Information. The program offers concentration options such as Archival Studies and Information Technology, as well as specializations such as Digital Libraries and Special Libraries. It also provides a School Media Certification option. Students can culminate the curriculum with a master's thesis or field experience. They may also choose to pursue a concurrent master's degree in a subject such as Anthropology, Music, or Urban Studies.

UW - Milwaukee was established in 1956 as a teacher training school. Today, it is a public university categorized in the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation. Located in Milwaukee, it is a member of the University of Wisconsin System and the second-largest university in the state. The American Library Association accredits the university's MLIS program. The main UWM campus library is the Golda Meir Library, which was named for alumnus and former Prime Minister of Israel Golda Meir. The vast library includes the extensive American Geographical Society Library. U.S. News & World Reportranks UWM at No. 14 in Best Library and Information Studies Programs at the graduate level. The university is also listed at No. 12 in Digital Librarianship and ninth in Archives and Preservation.

The University of Pittsburgh offers a Master of Library and Information Science through its School of Computing and Information. The degree program is designed to build students' creative and entrepreneurial skills for the contemporary information landscape. It requires 36 credits of study. Required courses include Data and Information in Systems, The Information Professional in the Community, and Lifecycles of Data and Information. Students can focus on a particular thematic area, such as Children and Youth Services, Information Technology, or a School Library Certification Program. The degree can be completed in three consecutive terms of full-time study or on a part-time basis in 12 terms, or four years. Graduates leave prepared for careers in archival, corporate, entrepreneurial, government, library, museum, and nonprofit settings.

Founded in 1787, Pitt is the nation's oldest continuously chartered school west of the Allegheny Mountains. Today, it is a state-related research university and part of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education. It operates a main campus in Pittsburgh and four additional campuses throughout Western Pennsylvania. Through the Oakland Library Consortium, Pitt students have access to the library system of the nearby Carnegie Mellon University, including the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The American Library Association accredits Pitt's MS in Library and Information Science program. U.S. News & World Reportranks Pitt at No. 70 nationally, No. 55 in innovation, and No. 26 among public schools. At the graduate level, the university is ranked at No. 10 nationally in library studies and first in Health Librarianship.

The University of Kentucky offers a Master of Science in Library Science through its School of Information Science. The degree program trains graduates for librarian careers in academic, health sciences, or public settings. The curriculum can be completed entirely online on a full- or part-time basis. The degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of study. Concentration options include Academic Libraries, Health Information, and Youth Services and Literature. Course offerings include Data Analysis & Visualization, Information Architecture, and Information in Society. The program offers opportunities to complete professional field practicum experiences and to study abroad in countries such as Germany or The Netherlands. Students may apply for an Alternative Spring Break internship in Washington, D.C., in settings such as the Library of Congress or the Smithsonian Libraries. Students may also choose to pursue a School Librarian Certification.

UK was founded in 1865 by lawyer and educator John Bryan Bowman. Formerly an agricultural and mechanical college, it is now a public land-grant university. It has grown into the largest institution of higher education in Kentucky by student enrollment. Located in Lexington, the campus includes 15 libraries. The largest is the William T. Young Library, a federal depository specializing in the humanities, life sciences, and social sciences. The American Library Association accredits the university's MS in Library Science. U.S. News & World Reportranks UK at No. 147 in National Universities, No. 140 in Best Value Schools, and No. 75 in Top Public Schools. At the graduate level, the university is ranked at No. 20 in Best Library and Information Studies Programs and fourth in Health Librarianship.

The University of Oklahoma offers a 36-credit Master of Library and Information Studies. The degree program combines coursework and practical experience in library studies. It is designed to build students' skills in the access, management, organization, storage, and use of information. Students have the option to focus on an area of library and information studies such as information technology, school library media, and reference services. Students can choose to culminate the program through a comprehensive exam, portfolio, or written thesis. Graduates go on to work in settings such as academic and public libraries, archives and special collections, government information centers, and the publishing industry.

UO was established in 1890 by the Oklahoma Territorial legislature. Located in Norman, it is the flagship institution of the University of Oklahoma system. OU is a public, space-grant research university. The university's library system has eight locations on campus and is the most extensive research library in the state of Oklahoma. The primary site is the Bizzell Memorial Library. The system also includes the Architecture Library, Engineering Library, Fine Arts Library, Geology Library, and the Physics and Astronomy Library. Unique collections include the Bizzell Bible Collection, the Western History Collection, and science volumes hand-noted by Galileo Galileo. The university's School of Library and Information Studies is the only program in Oklahoma accredited by the American Library Association.