Master of Science in Library and Information Sciences

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 2021 admission, applications are due by September 15, 2020.
For Fall 2021 admission, applications are due by December 1, 2020.
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."

Sarah Shreeves, MS '02
Vice Dean of University of Arizona Libraries

"At the iSchool, I was able to deepen my understanding of LIS theory and practice, learn research methods that I use to this day, gain incredibly valuable experience in my graduate assistantship on what was then a brand new digital library protocol (the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting), and develop relationships with fellow students and faculty that I still value."

Ben Chiewphasa, MS '19

"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."

Liza Booker, MS '13
User Experience Analyst, Argonne National Laboratory

"I like that I can incorporate my library skills by working with users and provide them with the information they need, as well as explore the realm of information technology and science"

Laura Fruhauff
MS/LIS student and scholarship recipient

"No other program of such high quality is as financially accessible as the iSchool, and the online courses do not prevent me from working or caring for family. I was worried at first that distance learning would not provide the best quality of instruction, but the iSchool has been the most ideal program, with courses that have been dynamic, engaging, and demanding. I feel like I am making the very best investment in my future."