Master of Library and Information Science

Not to be confused with Master of Liberal Studies.

The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) is the master's degree that is required for most professional librarian positions in the United States and Canada. The MLIS is a relatively recent degree; an older and still common degree designation for librarians to acquire is the Master of Library Science (MLS), or Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) degree. In some universities, these degrees are denoted as MLISc or MLSc or MSLS, as in the case of M.S. for MSc. However, in most Commonwealth universities, both bachelor's program and master's program has been merged to provide MLIS/MLISc degree. Admission to MLIS programs normally requires holding a bachelor's degree in any academic discipline, and library schools encourage applications from people with diverse academic backgrounds.

In the United Kingdom it is more common for a vocational degree in library and information science to bear the standard designation M.A. or M.Sc.

Schools

The MLIS or MLS degree is usually acquired from an accredited library school. The American Library Association accredits 63 programs at 58 institutions across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.^[1]

Curriculum

The MLIS/MLS curriculum can vary widely. Typically both practical and theoretical components are included, often along with a practicum or internship. Course work may entail traditional library topics, such as reference work, cataloging, collection development, school libraries, or archiving. There may also be a focus on information science and computer science topics, such as database and website design, as well as information architecture. Other skills taught may include management or pedagogy. Students generally complete a research project or thesis during the last semester of their programs.

Professional Library Organizations

American Library Association (ALA) ^[2]
Guidelines for Choosing a Master's Program in Library and Information Studies ^[3]

External links

Levels of academic degree

First-tier	Associate degree Foundation degree Higher National Diploma

Second-tier	Bachelor's degree Honours degree Diploma Specialist degree Engineer's degree

Third-tier	Master's degree Magister degree

Fourth-tier	Doctorate Magister degree Candidate of Sciences Doctor of Letters

Higher doctorate Habilitation Tenure Professorial degree Graduate certificate Licentiate First professional degree Terminal degree Honorary degree

References

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