Best Online Master’s in Library Science Programs of 2023

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers an online Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) that is consistently ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as the top program of its kind in the country. This program gives students the skills to manage, analyze, and preserve information in various fields, including public, academic, and school libraries. After completing two required core courses, students can customize their degrees by choosing classes that reflect their interests or selecting a concentration like archival and special collections, youth and K-12, data and asset management, or information organization and management. Students will be able to engage with their peers and instructors through real-time virtual classrooms, and both on-campus and online students must attend an in-person orientation before beginning the program.

The top-ranked master of library science program offered by the University of Washington is designed to prepare students for careers at diverse organizations and companies. This school stands out as one of few to provide a highly-ranked Master of Library Science with an emphasis on law librarianship. Students who choose this concentration will learn to combine their backgrounds in law with new skills in knowledge organization to support courts, federal and state governments, law schools, corporations, and more. The law librarianship program includes an experiential component during which students will intern at the Gallagher Law Library to gain practical experience. The University of Washington's Master of Library Science program is available online and can be completed asynchronously, giving students the opportunity to earn their degrees on their own schedules.

San Jose State University's Master of Library and Information Science online degree program does not require in-person orientations or events, making it ideal for students that don't live near campus. As part of this program, students will have to complete 43 units, culminating with a thesis or an e-portfolio required to complete the program. The online learning portal gives students access to all of the resources and support services they need, including academic advising, faculty office hours, research assistant opportunities, and guest speaker presentations. San Jose State University stands out by offering an exceptional internship program to help students gain real-world experience. The school works directly with internship site supervisors to maintain an extensive database of internship opportunities every semester. Students can participate in virtual or in-person internships during their studies.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Information and Library Science offers a highly-ranked Master of Science in Library Science degree program. During this program, students will gain a deeper understanding of collecting, organizing, and storing recorded knowledge while serving their communities. Students will gain a solid theoretical understanding of information science and learn how to apply these skills in real-world scenarios. UNC is an excellent choice for students that want to gain valuable field experience. The school's field experience program allows students to receive class credit while working at an information organization. While participating in this program, students are mentored by a supervising professional as well as a professor from the School of Information and Library Science.

Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private institution that offers many high-quality online programs, including a Master's in Library and Information Science. Students who want to explore many potential professional pathways should consider Syracuse due to the wide variety of available concentrations. Students can focus their programs on user services and community engagement, data curation, and services, children and youth services, or several other professional pathways. The program consists of 36 total credit hours and can be completed in as few as 18 months. To supplement their degrees, students can pursue a certificate of advanced study in areas like data science, information security management, or school media without taking any extra classes.

Drexel University is the best choice for students interested in using their degrees in library science to positively impact their local communities and promote positive social justice outcomes. Prior to joining Drexel's master's in library and information sciences program, students can earn a certificate in community-based librarianship, which emphasizes learning about the use of libraries as centers for community support and engagement. The online master's program builds on this certificate program by providing a highly-interactive curriculum designed to challenge and engage students. Individuals will gain essential skills related to managing and organizing information, and all courses are taught by the distinguished faculty of Drexel University's College of Computing and Informatics.

Students interested in pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science with an emphasis on archiving should have the University of Denver at the top of their lists. This master's program helps students build the core theory and practice skills they need to become information leaders in their communities and organizations. Students can earn their degrees in as few as 21 months, and during their studies, students will receive one-to-one mentorship from faculty. As part of the online program, students can choose to participate in an optional three-course focus in archiving. This focus will help students gain a deeper understanding of managing records and archives, maintaining digital collections, and overseeing digitizing projects. These skills are taught while emphasizing social justice, setting students up for success as community leaders.

East Carolina University's College of Education offers an affordable Master of Library Science program. At $263.83 per credit, this program is the best option for students that live near the school's campus in Greenville, NC, and qualify for in-state tuition. Students can earn their degrees entirely online and choose from three concentrations: academic library, public library, and school library media. Students are able to set their own pace and earn their degrees around their work schedules. Through internship opportunities, students can gain real-world experience, and they'll develop important skills taught by core courses like Introduction to Reference, Organization of Information in Libraries, and Library Administration and Management.

The Master of Library and Information Science degree program offered by Kent State University prepares students for careers in public, academic, special, and school libraries, archives, museums, and other types of information organizations. As the only American Library Association-accredited MLIS program in Ohio, it is the best option for students interested in studying at a midwestern institution. Students will take core courses that give them the foundational skills they need to work in the library and information science field. This curriculum is enhanced by other masters of science programs like health informatics, knowledge management, and user experience design. Students will also have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the master of business administration (MBA) degree and the MLIS degree.

Students that don't qualify for in-state tuition at other top-ranked schools should consider applying to the University of Alabama's MLIS program. At only $440 per credit, this program is more affordable than comparable programs for out-of-state students. The program consists of 36 total credit hours, all of which can be completed online. Students can earn their degrees in under two years by enrolling in two courses per semester. The core curriculum includes courses like Information and Media, Information in Communities, and Professional Paths. Students will then need to choose an area of emphasis, like school library media or archival studies. The University of Alabama uses a cohort model for its MLIS program, allowing students to learn alongside the same group of peers throughout the program.