What you will study
Every course in the Master of Library Science will enhance your favorite skill: connecting people with books and
information. We offer a couple of program options to choose from based on your career
goals and interests:
- The Master of Library Science offers students a core curriculum of 24 credits designed to meet the ALA Core Competencies
of Librarianship.
- Students can choose from 12 hours of electives within the following specializations:
School Librarian, Public Librarian and Academic Librarian.
- The School Librarian specialization is designed for graduate students who want to be an educator in a school library.
This specialized coursework provides the information-literacy skills you need to work
with both students and teachers.
- The School Librarian specialization plus initial teacher certification adds specialized education courses and a student-teaching internship experience so
you can teach in a classroom.
- The Public Librarian specialization is designed for graduate students who want to be a librarian in a public library
or community library. Coursework in this specialization examines issues impacting
public libraries and develops skills for working with lifelong learning, outreach
and developing dynamic programming.
- The Academic Librarian specialization is designed for graduate students who wish to work in higher education. Coursework
in this specialization provides the skills needed for teaching information literacy,
supporting curriculum and scholarly communication.
Whichever Library Sciences degree option you choose, your training will be informed by real-world
experience. Our instructors bring industry knowledge into the virtual classroom and
directly to you, passing on lessons from their days as school librarians, public librarians,
academic librarians and more.
Some of our most popular courses include:
- Children’s, Adolescent and Young Adult Literature: Even in today’s world of streaming services and social media, people still love reading
books. This course will spark your inner bookworm and offer expertise in connecting
young people with the right books for them.
- Technology in Libraries: This course trains you in the most current technology available, giving you an edge
over competing job applicants for library science colleges.
Excellence in Library Science
- As one of the most affordable online Library Science degrees, ranked by EduRef.net, the University of Central Missouri’s Master of Library Science,
MLS program ensures you receive top training without paying top dollar.
- With one of the best Library Science master’s degree programs in the country, ranked by Intelligent, UCM offers you excellent academic quality at a low cost.
- The vast majority of graduates successfully build careers in our field. Our program
has a 94% placement rate in Library Science master’s jobs.
- With AASL and CAEP accreditations, UCM’s Library Sciences master’s degree program
has been tested and proven by the experts, so you — and your employer — can trust
your education will serve you well.
- Our graduate program curriculum also already follows American Library Association
(ALA) accreditation standards. Currently, the UCM Library Sciences master’s degree program is in candidacy status for ALA accreditation, which will benefit graduates in their careers — especially if you are interested
in a job at a public, school or academic library.
Unique learning opportunities with a Master of Library Science
Our Masters of Library and Information Science gives you the real-world experience you need to hit the ground
running after graduation.
- Practical experiences: From day one, you'll be completing projects you can use in your career, like designing
reading promotion projects, coordinating collection development policies and cataloging
books.
- Research opportunities: You may work with program faculty on a research paper and get published before you
even graduate. Research topics have been as diverse as our graduate students, centering
around the school librarian’s role in supporting teaching, the impact of STEM in libraries
and parents choosing public library story times, just to name a few.
- Student-directed learning: In our program, choose projects that are meaningful to you so you can make choices
related to your own education. This gives you an opportunity to deep-dive into your
favorite library topic and receive thoughtful feedback on your work from our expert
faculty.
For more information about program requirements, admissions, practicum and research
opportunities click here.
What can you do with a Master of Library Science, MLS degree?
As a graduate from the University of Central Missouri’s master’s in Library Science
program, you will be equipped to:
- Design inclusive spaces that welcome every individual your library serves.
- Oversee your staff as an effective manager and prepare budgets that meet the needs
of the library.
- Be a competitive employee or candidate for jobs - bringing policies, advocacy and
professional development to your library.
By earning your Master of Library Science degree from the University of Central Missouri,
you can increase your job security. Librarians are needed in all 50 states and all
over the world, in nearly every K–12 school, every university and every community.
Library Science master’s jobs are always in demand, in big cities and small towns
alike.
Beyond job security, our Masters of Library Science degree can also lead to advancement
in your career. Our Masters of Library Science degree can help prepare you for different
positions within a variety of libraries. The potential for a better salary with our
Master of Library Science, MLS degree may surprise you — for example, for those working
in schools, many school districts offer raises to employees with additional college
credit hours.
Financial assistance options for your Masters of Library Science degree
As one of the most affordable online library science degrees among library science
programs, the University of Central Missouri’s Master of Library Science ensures you
have the support you need to succeed.
Explore our financial aid options to get help paying for college, such as program scholarships for Library Science
grad students:
- Suzanne Foster Scholarship in Library Science
- Beatrice Ricks Library Scholarship
- Dr. Aileen Helmick Memorial Scholarship in Library Science
A Masters of Library Science from the University of Central Missouri is a valuable investment in
a lifetime career. You'll get a high-quality, future-focused education at an affordable
cost.
Meet Tina K.
MS Library Science and Information Services ’20 - Library Media Specialist, Whiteman
Elementary School
“From the time I started grad school, I've had two children. Juggling that and working
full time has been a challenge, so the accessibility of online classes has been instrumental
for me. I would not have been able to go to grad school if I had to attend in person.
An online program allows you to work within your own schedule to take the classes
and work at your own pace.”
Meet Alyssa S.
MS Library Science and Information Services ’19 - Librarian, West Coast Baptist College
“The Library Sciences master’s degree at UCM was recommended to me by a professional
colleague. It was the best decision! I learned so many practical concepts about librarianship,
serving all my patrons, new technology and principles that will enable me to be a
better leader, librarian, educator and collaborator.”
What the Class of 2020 Says About UCM Master of Library Science, MLS
“I’m a nontraditional, online-only student, and UCM welcomed me and made me feel like
part of the student body.”
“I’m on top of the world! I’m the second person in my family to graduate.”
“For me, it was much more than an education. It was a place to build a family.”
“Your professors are there to make sure you succeed and learn to a greater degree.”
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Graduation, Retention, and Placement Rates
Source: UCM Academic Digital Innovations and Analytics
Master of Library Science program accreditation
Our Library Sciences degree program also has candidacy status for accreditation with
the American Library Association (ALA)*. This will benefit you in your career, especially
if you’re interested in a job at a public, state or academic library, rather than
a school library. We’ve already updated the program curriculum, so our graduate students
are prepared to work anywhere.
*UCM's Master of Science in Library Science program has been granted candidacy status
by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association. Candidacy status
is an indication that the MLS program at UCM is ready to begin the two-year process
that culminates in the Program Presentation, comprehensive review of the program,
and accreditation decision by the COA. Candidacy does not indicate that the program
is accredited nor does it guarantee eventual accreditation of the program by ALA.
Accreditations and Accolades
UCM is the longest continuously CAEP accredited public institution in Missouri
Nationally recognized by the American Association of School Librarians
Named a 2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree in Library Science by OnlineU
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