University of South Florida - Tampa, Florida, USA
Do you love libraries, organizing vast stores of information, and helping others access that information? A Master of Arts in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida can help build your career in librarianship, which is a fascinating path where you are always learning new things.
Title/Degree
masters
Duration
3 Years
Enrollment
fixed-date
Credits
yes
Selective
yes
Language
English
The Master of Arts in library and Information Science helps prepare those looking to start a career in information sciences. Graduates of the MLIS program have gone on to successful and fulfilling careers in libraries and information agencies. Faculty and staff of the school are devoted to helping students and graduates find jobs in their field and have many contacts in the industry. The school also encourages internships and volunteer work for students to strengthen their resumes, and help graduates to find information jobs in industries outside of libraries if they are interested.
University of South Florida's MLIS program provides students with the knowledge and experience that they need to successfully perform as a librarian or other information science professional. Students complete 39 course hours through the online learning platform, and also have the option of earning a School Librarian/School Media Specialist certification from the Florida Department of Education.
To earn their Master's, students must complete six core courses in the IA degree program. These courses are Foundations of Library and Information Science (OR Information Science in Librarianship), Introduction to Library Administration, Research Methods in Library and Information Science, Collection Development and Maintenance, Basic Information Sources and Services, and Organization of Knowledge (OR Technical Services in Libraries). In addition, students must take 21 credit hours of elective courses, which must be approved by their advisor.
Students following the School Library/School Media Specialist track take a prescribed set of electives for a certificate from the Florida Department of Education. Students interested in this track should meet with their advisor to learn more about the program.
The MLIS program of study is completed entirely online, so students need to be self-motivated and have good time-management skills to get the most out of their education. Students must maintain at least a B average to graduate, and cannot receive more than two C grades. This requirement ensures that every graduate is competent in every area of study covered in the program.
The MLIS program has four primary goals for its graduates. These are: to be innovative and ethical leaders, to understand the systems and technologies used in library science, to understand the theory behind knowledge representation, and to have a grounding in theoretical perspectives in library and information science. Upon graduation, every alumnus of the IA program should be proficient in each of these goals.
The MA in Library and Information Science is accredited by the American Library Association, enhancing your career mobility. The graduate application deadline is two weeks earlier than the university deadline – June 1 for the fall, October 15 for the spring, and March 1 for summer. Deadlines are 4-6 weeks earlier for international applicants. The application can be completed online.
The University of South Florida is a public research university located in Tampa, Florida. It is a part of the State University System of Florida and was founded in 1956. More than 50,000 students attend the university, and approximately 20 percent of those are enrolled in graduate programs. The school offers more than 130 masters and doctoral level programs.
A thorough understanding of information science is foundational for all types of information professionals, and the University of South Florida makes it attainable to many. This online IA program is open to anyone with a strong academic record and an interest in knowledge management. We recommend this program to anyone that is looking to make the switch into information management that desires a formal information architecture education on the topic.
Applicants should have either a GPA of 3.25 or higher from an undergraduate institution, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher in a master’s program, or a doctoral degree. Students who do not meet this requirement may apply for conditional admission.
