Library Science

Master's Degree Program

Graduate opportunities

Administered by the Department of Library and Information Sciences at the University of North Texas, our Master of Science degree program gives you a strong foundation and sets you apart in the rapidly changing field of library science.

Our program provides the knowledge and skills needed to thrive as a library science and information professional. Many graduates work in public libraries, academic libraries or special libraries maintained by government agencies, corporations, law firms, museums or medical centers.

You can pursue a major in Library Science and choose a general program of study or an emphasis in:

• Archival studies and digital image management
• Distributed learning librarianship
• Health informatics
• Information organization
• Information systems
• Law librarianship and legal informatics
• Youth librarianship

The Library Science program has been accredited since 1965 by the American Library Association (50 E. Huron St.; Chicago, Ill. 60611-2795; telephone 800- 545-2433). This distinction means we have secured a place among the leaders in academic standards of excellence in education.

Innovative course delivery

Courses are offered in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, online and blended. The core courses are offered online with a face-to-face component known as a web institute. Distance students participating in one of nine cohort locations meet at the web institute host site for either one nine-day institute or two four-day institutes and complete the remaining courses online. Cohorts are available in El Paso; Houston; Georgia; Los Angeles; the Nevada and Utah region; the South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana region; and Virginia.

Outstanding support

The educational experience is enhanced by student organization activities, interaction with local chapters of national professional associations and pre-professional work with community libraries and corporations.

Our programs have been nationally recognized by the ALA and other institutions. Most recently, the school library program was ranked No. 8 nationally by U.S. News and World Report. The program offers a hands-on approach to managing school libraries and media resources, including opportunities for practicum and study abroad.

Our department has the third largest endowment among library and information science programs in the U.S. In recent years, we have received funds for research and student support from national, state and local agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Library of Congress, the Online Computer Library Center and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

The Department of Library and Information Sciences is part of the College of Information. The college is located at Discovery Park, a 300-acre research facility about four miles north of UNT’s main campus.

Research resources

Through the Web-based Information Science Education (WISE) Consortium, our students have access to a variety of offerings from other consortium members. We plan to enrich the WISE offerings through several of our courses each semester.

The Texas Center for Digital Knowledge assembles scholars from multiple disciplines to investigate and consult on technologies and practices that enhance organizational and workplace effectiveness. TxCDK provides research support services for faculty members and doctoral students, and it sponsors lectures and workshops. Additional research labs include the Information Research and Analysis Lab, the Intelligent Information Access Lab and the Visual Thinking Lab.

We are members of several key organizations and consortiums that provide unique opportunities for our students. As a member of the iSchools organization, we join a group of information schools dedicated to advancing the information field and that share a fundamental interest in the relationship among information, people and technology. This partnership opens many opportunities for our students to be trained in research by world renowned scholars.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

You will need to meet the admission requirements of the Toulouse Graduate School®. In addition, the department requires:

• Program application
• Statement of purpose, indicating qualifications and your goals in applying to our program
• Three letters of recommendation

For forms and more information about program admission requirements, visit our website. We also offer personal advising by phone and in person.

Degree requirements

• 9 semester hours of core courses
• 6 semester hours of major course requirements
• 21 semester hours of electives (The electives are determined in consultation with a faculty advisor and depend on your career objectives, interests and previous experience.)
• Field experience with six months of professional experience in a paid position or a 120-hour practicum/internship in a library environment
• In lieu of a thesis, an end of program examination is required during your last semester before graduation

Financial assistance

The university and department offer multiple options to help you pursue your graduate education, including loans, library or teaching assistantships, scholarships, internships or co-ops, and part-time employment.

Information about federal financial assistance programs is available on the Financial Aid website. Department scholarship information is available on our website.

Flexible scheduling allows you to work part time or full time while pursuing your degree. Libraries, agencies and corporations offer part-time employment, internships or co-op experiences.