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The online master's degree in library and information science from MU will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to be an information expert in the information age. If you want to advance your career providing relevant and meaningful services to library users, this may be the degree for you.
The School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT) is a proud member of iSchools, an international coalition of leading information schools.
Top-ranked programs in two categories
Mizzou’s online master’s in education programs ranked among the nation’s finest in two U.S. News & World Report 2023 categories.
Quick facts
Official name
Master of library and information scienceCampus
Program type
Master's degreeAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | School of Information Science and Learning TechnologiesDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning Commission, Teacher Education Accreditation Council, American Library AssociationCredit hours
39Estimated cost
$19,909.50*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Positions our graduates have taken
- Archives specialist
- Children’s librarian
- Electronic resources coordinator
- Emerging technologies librarian
- Library acquisition and e-resource specialist
- Medical reference librarian
- Research analyst
Program structure
You can complete this program entirely online. Occasional face-to-face courses and events may be offered.
Courses are semester-based, though some courses are in an eight-week format. Students typically take one or two classes each semester and finish the program in two to four years. Students who attend full-time typically finish in two years.
Most library and information science faculty are based in Columbia, MO with faculty in Kansas City.
Course work includes
- Information services, systems, and technologies
- Organization of information, cataloging, and classification
- Digital libraries and media
- E-Learning information services
- Community and diversity leadership
- Management of information collections and agencies
- Archival sciences
- Digital humanities
- School librarianship
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
2-4 yearsTypical course load
1 or 2 classes each semesterEarn a dual master’s degree
With this program, you can concurrently earn a master of public affairs.
The programs have separate applications and require a minimum of 12 hours of shared 8000-level or above graduate credit. Learn more about the academic process for dual master’s degree students at the Mizzou Graduate School website.
Accreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The College of Education and Human Development is a member of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. The library and information science master’s program is accredited by the American Library Association.
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Cynthia Dudenhoffer joined Mizzou in 2021 as an associate teaching professor and program coordinator for the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies. Previously, she held the role of Director of Information Resources and Assessment at Central Methodist University. She has served in many leadership roles locally and nationally, including president of the Missouri Library Association. She also serves as a professional consultant in areas of academic library accreditation, program review, project management, and leadership through innovation. Areas of expertise include emerging technologies in information agencies and data literacy.