Library Science Master's

Program type:

Major

Format:

On Campus

Online

Hybrid

Est. time to complete:

2 years

Credit Hours:

Specialize in information and research and learn how to share knowledge with the world.

UNT's Information Science master's program with a major in Library Science prepares information professionals for work in a variety of roles and application settings, including all types of libraries and other information agencies. The program rests on a broad conceptual framework that explores the nature of information, its organization and retrieval, and its access and use from the user's viewpoint. In addition, the program prepares individuals who wish to pursue doctoral studies in information science theory, research and practice.

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Why Earn a Library Science Master's?

The Department of Information Science offers an ALA-accredited Master of Science degree in Library Science. The program has been continuously accredited by the American Library Association since 1965. The degree is offered:

Completely Online
In Denton (with a mix of online and face-to-face courses)
In an off-campus format in Houston
In the form of cohorts in some states

Each student works with a faculty advisor to create an individualized program reflecting the student’s career goals. The concentrations are intended to prepare graduates to succeed in a wide range of positions and information settings in both private and public organizations.

Current Concentrations are:

The master's program prepares information professionals for work in a variety of roles and application settings, including various information agencies and all types of libraries. In addition, the program prepares at a master's level, individuals who wish to pursue study in the theoretical development of information science.

To provide this education, the program rests on a broad conceptual framework that is covered in the core courses, and the program is elaborated in courses that educate information professionals for a number of different client settings. The unique nature of this program, and what sets it apart from other programs in the university that may deal in some way with the topic of information, is the approach to the study of information, its behavior, and its use from the point of view of the user.

Marketable Skills

Information resource management
Information access and services
Information organization, cataloging, and classification
Curation and preservation
Information behavior and systems

Library Science Master's Highlights

Special lectures hosted by the college and the department feature renowned scholars who provide different perspectives and insights into the information science field.

Our students and faculty are active members of different professional associations and learned societies, such as the iSchools consortium, the American Library Association, the Association for Information Science and Technology, and the Knowledge & Information Professional Association.

The Department of Information Science provides limited travel support to select students who are in good academic standing. These travel grants are offered to support the costs of travel to conferences, seminars, workshops and professional meetings relevant to their degree and course of study.

The Master of Science in Library Science is ranked 20th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. The Health Informatics program is ranked sixth in the nation.

Instruction is offered in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, online and blended, that allows you to balance classes with full-time or part-time employment.

What Can You Do With a Library Science Master's?

Students earning this degree will be prepared for a wide range of careers, such as:

Reference librarian
Technical services librarian
Youth and children's librarian
Museum/archive curator
Special collections librarian
Electronic resources librarian
Cataloging/metadata librarian
Instructional services librarian
Law/legal librarian
Institutional repository /digital collection manager
Data curation specialist

Library Science Master's Courses You Could Take

Epistemological foundations of information use. Basic principles and techniques of information access and knowledge inquiry. Survey of research in information seeking behavior and user interaction. Introduction to systems of access, search, retrieval, and navigation, as well as reference collection management and services.

Principles, concepts and practices of information organization and presentation. Concepts and problems of human information behavior, classification and categorization related to information organization. Database technology, structure and design. Standards for information organization, data representation and information exchange. Systems for organizing information and facilitating information access in various information use environments.

Information as an economic good and resource. Equity and distribution of information as public good and as a commodity. Economics of the information industry. Supply and demand of information and its pricing. Micro- and macro-economic information indication and studies in national economics.

Investigates best practices for the use of technology in schools and libraries. The nine elements of digital citizenship are examined extensively: digital access, digital commerce, digital communication, digital literacy, digital etiquette, digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness, and digital security.

Storytelling ethnography, history, theory, methods and bibliographic resources. Story research, analysis, selection, adaptation and preparation. Oral performance development and audience dynamics. Program planning, implementation, evaluation and grant writing for schools, libraries or other information settings.

History, roles and scope of the information and knowledge professions. Basic concepts and issues including impact of information technology on the individual, intellectual freedom, privacy and diversity. Legal and ethical aspects of managing information and knowledge organizations. Course activities emphasize team building and leadership skills.