With a Masters in Library Science (MLS or MLIS) degree, also referred to as a master of library and information science or MLIS, you can work at the forefront of the dynamic field of librarianship. School librarians help teachers and students navigate the evolving world of information and technology, and they help students develop the lifelong skill of research.
Syracuse University offers an online, ALA-accredited MS in Library and Information Science that prepares students to help communities access and understand information, technology, and media resources. The program can be completed in 18 months, and no GRE scores are required to apply.
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Thanks to rapid advances in technology and systems, librarianship today is radically different from librarianship just a couple of decades ago. With this change has come the emergence of online master of library science programs as the most efficient way to jumpstart your career in librarianship. An online master of library science program prepares you for the changing environment of digital trends and ensures a comprehensive understanding of library resources, both tech-based and otherwise. Some responsibilities of a librarian in a school setting include service to faculty and students, reference, circulation, technical services, serials management, manuscripts, music, digital files, media services, teaching, management, and more.
With technology becoming so integral to the field of library science, enrolling in a masters in library science online program is an easy way to begin developing the tech skills necessary to be a librarian in the digital age. A master’s degree from an accredited institution is essential to becoming a practicing school librarian. This, along with state certification, will allow you to become a librarian at any grade level.
Each online library science master’s degree program has its own set of prerequisites, so you should contact your accredited institution for detailed information regarding its policies. With that being said, here are some example components that might go into an application for an online MLS program:
The curriculum and number of credits required to complete a master’s program vary widely depending on your school and specialization. However, a typical online MLIS program includes courses in:
Many students completing a masters in library science online have the option of concentrating their studies in a specific field of librarianship. Although concentration options vary widely from program to program, here are a few example concentrations and descriptions of what their curriculum might look like:
School Media
Gain enhanced insight into developing and managing educational media and providing library services and resources to students of all ages.
Information Management
Learn skills in managing information acquisition, utility, retention, and transfer to help organizations succeed.
After completing an online MLS program, the next step is to get licensed. This certification will enable you to officially work in the field of your choice. Every state has its own licensure requirements to become a school librarian. The median annual salary for a librarian was $59,050 in 2018. School librarians with a MLS or MLIS degree can work at the elementary through high school level. Take a look at an in-depth look into the career prospects for librarians.
In addition to these common school librarian roles, there are also specializations and different roles that a recent graduate from an online MLS program can pursue, including:
| University and Program Name | Number of Credits | Study Length |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Denver
Master of Library and Information Science SPONSORED | 58 | As few as 21 months |
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Syracuse University
Master of Science in Library and Information Science SPONSORED | 36 | As few as 18 months |
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Teach.com has compiled a comprehensive list of all the master of library science online programs in the United States along with their classroom setting, accreditation Status, degree type and credit requirements. In searching for the best online master of library science program that fits your needs, carefully consider the structure of the coursework and the admissions requirements to make your decision. Find a school that interests you and find out what it takes to graduate with an online master of library science!
| University and Program Name | Number of Credits | Study Length |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State University Master of Library Science | 36 | 2 years |
| Clarion University Master of Science in Information and Library Science | 36 | 2 years |
| Dominican University Master of Library and Information Science | 36 | 2 years |
| East Carolina University Master of Library Science | 39 | 2 years |
| Emporia State University Master of Library Science | 36 | 1.5 years |
| Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis Master of Library and Information Science | 39 | 2 years |
| Louisiana State University Master of Library and Information Science | 36 | 1.5 years |
| Murray State University Master of Arts in Education in Library Media | 33 | 1.5 years |
| North Carolina Central University Master of Library Science | 36 | 1.5 years |
| Northeastern State University Master of Science in Library Media and Information Technology | 33 | 1.5 years |
| Sam Houston State University Master of Library Science | 36 | 1.5 years |
| San Jose State University Master of Library and Information Science | 43 | 2 years |
| St. John's University Master of Science in Library and Information Science | 36 | 1.5 years |
|
Syracuse University
Master of Science in Library and Information Science SPONSORED | 36 | As few as 18 months |
| Texas A&M University at Commerce Master of Educational Technology in Library Science | 36 | 2 years |
| Texas Woman's University Master of Library Science | 36 | 1.5 years |
| The University of Alabama Master of Library and Information Studies | 36 | 2 years |
| State University of New York at Buffalo Master of Science in Information and Library Studies | 36 | 2+ years |
| University of Central Missouri Master of Science in Library Science and Information Services | 33 | 1.5 years |
|
University of Denver
Master of Library and Information Science SPONSORED | 58 | As few as 21 months |
| University of Houston at Clear Lake Master of Science in School Library and Information Science | 33 | 1.5 years |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Master of Science in Library and Information Science | 40 | 2 years |
| University of Kentucky Master’s in Library Science | 36 | 2+ years |
| University of Maryland Master of Library and Information Science | 36 | 2 years |
| University of Missouri Master of Library and Information Science | 39 | 2+ years |
| University of North Carolina Greensboro Master of Library and Information Science | 36 | 2+ years |
| University of North Texas at Dallas Master of Science in Library Sciences | 36 | N/A |
| University of Northern Iowa Master of Arts in School Library Studies | 33 | 2.5+ years |
| The University of Oklahoma Master of Library and Information Studies | 36 | 2 years |
| University of Pittsburgh Master of Library and Information Science | 36 | 1+ years |
| University of South Alabama Master of Education in Educational Media | 30 | 1.5+ years |
| University of South Carolina Master of Library and Information Science | 36 | 2 years |
| University of Southern California Master of Management in Library and Information Science | 40 | 2 years |
| The University of Southern Mississippi Master of Library and Information Science | 40 | 1+ years |
| University of Washington Master of Library and Information Science | 63 | 3 years |
| University of Wisconsin – Madison Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies | 39 | 2+ years |
| Wayne State University Master of Library and Information Science | 36 | 2 years |
| Valley City State university Master of Education Program – Library and Information Technologies | 37 | N/A |
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Name of Degree: Master of Library Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Information and Library Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Local and Archival Studies, Reference and User Services, School Library Media
Admission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 39
Concentrations:Academic Libraries, Public Libraries, School Library
Admission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Archive Studies, Health Information Professionals, Informatics, Leadership and Administration, Youth Services
Admission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 39
Concentrations:Academic Libraries, Archives and Records Management, Digital Curation, Facilitated Learning, Public Libraries, School Library, Technical Services, Youth Services
Admission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Arts in Education in Library Media
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 33
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Library Media and Information Technology
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 33
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 43
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Academic Libraries, Archives and Records Management, Public Libraries, Special Libraries, Youth Services
Admission Requirements:
In its tradition of preparing students to shape our world through the power of information, Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies (iSchool) offers a Master of Science in Library and Information Science degree delivered online. The program is accredited by the American Library Association and prepares students to help communities better access and understand information and media resources. Students may also specialize in School Media to prepare for library and information roles in elementary and secondary school settings. The program can be completed in 18 months. No GRE scores are required to apply.
Enrollment Type: N/A
Length of Program: As few as 18 months
Credits: 36
User Services and Community Engagement, Data Curation and Services, Organization and Management of Information and Knowledge, Children and Youth Services, Digital Information Systems, Information Research and Analytics
Name of Degree: Master of Educational Technology in Library Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Studies
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Academic Libraries, Digital Stewardship, Information Literacy, Public Libraries, Special Libraries, Social Justice, Youth Services
Admission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Information and Library Studies
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Library Science and Information Services
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 33
Concentrations:School Library
Admission Requirements:
Serve as a steward of your community’s history. Earn a Master of Library and Information Science online from University of Denver’s ALA-accredited program in as few as 21 months. With no GRE required, apply now to learn to empower your community by improving information access and promoting intellectual freedom.
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: As few as 21 months
Credits: 58
Admission Requirements:
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Name of Degree: Master of Science in School Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5 years
Credits: 33
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: N/A
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 40
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master’s in Library Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 39
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:School Library, Instructional Technology Licensure
Admission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Library Sciences
Enrollment Type: N/A
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Archival Studies and Imaging Technology, Information Organization, Law Librarianship and Legal Informatics, Music Librarianship, Youth Librarianship, School Library Certification
Admission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Arts in School Library Studies
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2.5+ years
Credits: 33
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Studies
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Education in Educational Media
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1.5+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Management in Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 40
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 40
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 3 years
Credits: 63
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 39
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Library and Information Science
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Library Users and Communities, Library Tools and Resources, Library Systems and Infrastructure
Admission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Education Program – Library and Information Technologies
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 37
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Last Updated May 2020