Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MS/LIS)

Affordable Tuition

Sound Investment
A top program at an affordable price.

Customize Your Curriculum

Flexible
Six professional pathway options.

#1 Library & Information Science Program

Career Opportunities
Access to career services
and internship opportunities.

Consistently ranked as the best program of its kind, the MS/LIS—offered both online and on campus—provides an exceptional professional education. Students gain the skills they need to creatively and effectively manage, analyze, and preserve information. Graduates go on to fill leadership positions in a variety of information settings, including public, academic, and school libraries as well as healthcare, business, and science.

Identify and Land Your Dream Job

With only two required courses, the curriculum is very flexible and can be customized based on career interests. Students work with professors and advisors to identify strengths and build the skills required to meet the needs of employers in that field. The MS/LIS helps you identify your dream job and then positions you for a successful career.

You have the opportunity to choose from six professional pathways at the intersection of people, information, and technology:

Archival and special collections
Youth and school librarianship
Information organization and management
Research and information services
Data and asset management
Knowledge management and competitive intelligence

What are the requirements for admission?

The MS/LIS program is flexible, and our application requirements are as well.
While a bachelor's degree is required, your degree can be in any discipline.
For those with a GPA below a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, GRE test scores are required.

How do I apply?

For Spring 2022 admission, applications are due by September 15, 2021.
For Fall 2022 admission, applications are due by December 1, 2021.
Visit the Graduate College's application page, review the information, and select the "Apply Now" button.

Where do students from this program get jobs?

Higher education institutions including Arizona State University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Iowa
Pre-K-12 schools including Gurnee School District 56 and Naperville North High School
Library, museums, and nonprofit organizations including the Minnesota Genealogical Society
Public libraries including North Riverside Public Library and Warren County Public Library District

Hear from others

Maria Bonn
Associate Professor and MS/LIS Program Director

"Our MS/LIS is an important venue for the intellectual and professional conversation that shapes and guides our profession. We are leaders in creating well-trained professionals who support information access and think critically about the values that inform and drive their practice."

Megdi Aebe
MS/LIS Student

"The program’s versatility, esteemed faculty, and reputation drew me in. There are so many courses that interest me, so building my schedule was exciting. I benefit so much from the program’s flexibility because I am open to many different topics."

Ben Chiewphasa, MS '19
Economics and Data Librarian, University of Notre Dame

"I chose the iSchool at Illinois for my MS/LIS degree because of the level of customization and flexibility for configuring your own 'pathway.' I knew I wanted to dabble in data science and instruction, but I also wanted room to explore other interests that may organically come up."

Anthony Martinez
MS/LIS Student

"I chose the iSchool because of its #1-ranked program and top-ranked youth services pathway; positive word of mouth from former students; long history of success with virtual instruction; and 'walk the walk' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—specifically the tuition waiver for Spectrum Scholars."

Charlotte Roh, MS' 14
Scholarly Communications Librarian, University of San Francisco

"The amazing teaching and scholarship at the iSchool serves as a model for what is possible in LIS. I was particularly happy with the many practical experiences available to me as a student—internships, programs, volunteer opportunities. The iSchool's reputation opened a lot of doors for me.”