Master's in Information - Library & Information Science

Who is the MSI in Library & Information Science program for?

Drexel’s College of Computing & Informatics’ Library and Information Science (LIS) graduate major in the Master of Science in Information (MSI) program is designed for students of all backgrounds who are interested in the study of the intersection of people, information, and technology. It prepares graduates to work in libraries and corporations, educational institutions, government agencies and other information-intensive environments.

Program Mission Statement

The mission of Drexel’s Master of Science in Information – Library & Information Science (MSILIS) program is to integrate information technology, professional knowledge and experiential learning and prepare our graduates to lead and innovate in libraries and information organizations of all types. (Approved Sept. 21, 2018.)

LIS Data and Program Assessment

Fast Facts

Library & Information Science Degree Program Overview

This graduate major takes an interdisciplinary and technology-infused approach to information and its application to everyday opportunities and challenges. This is a flexible, American Library Association-accredited program since 1924, and you benefit from being a part of one of the oldest continuously operating LIS graduate programs in North America. 

You will learn to create, protect, organize, manage, curate, analyze, retrieve and disseminate data and information in multiple media across the wide range of information domains. As a graduate, you will help advance knowledge, manifest social responsibility, promote community outreach, improve society as global citizens, and lead the library and information field as practitioners and scholars.

• Subject knowledge in areas such as information literacy, responsible citizenship and ethical reasoning, as well as “soft skills” including communication, critical thinking, leadership, customer service, professional practice, and personnel management concepts are included in the program
• A two-term, experiential capstone project ensures that you have practical work experience by the time you graduate and are prepared to enter the workforce at a professional level
• The program is consistently highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report (13th in 2025), which also rated the College in the following specialty areas (2025): Information Systems (1st) and Digital Librarianship (3rd)

Library & Information Science Curriculum

Students gain knowledge in LIS service and operations, information ethics and information service management, while advancing skills in technology-focused digital content. The curriculum combines core and specialized knowledge and aligns theory and practice in a two-term capstone, preparing LIS majors for the professional workplace.

The program features:

• Six core courses
• A choice of one of three LIS certificates as an area of focus:
  • Archives and Curation
  • Metadata and Digital Technologies
  • Users and Library Services
• For a total of 12-15 additional credit hours, students may use electives to add a second LIS certificate or another CCI graduate certificate
  • Other graduate courses in CI, CS, CT, DSCI, INFO, and SE are also an option. Please consult your advisors for the options and course requirements.
• A capstone course (spanning two quarters): students can pursue a project-based capstone or an optional research project. Learn more about the LIS capstone experience from current students and recent alumni.

Please visit Drexel’s Course Catalog for a full description of each required course and elective for this program. You can also find a sample Plan of Study for the degree.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Drexel operates on the quarter, not semester, system, offering classes during four 10-week terms throughout the year. (You are not required to take classes every quarter, but full-time students must complete the degree in 3 years.)

Our master’s degrees are 45 credits (15 courses) which is equivalent to 30- to 33-credit degrees at other universities. The benefit of the quarter system is that students receive instruction in more topic areas than through the semester system and have more freedom to personalize their curriculum using electives.

Meet a Library & Information Science Student

Where Our LIS Graduates Work

• Drexel University Libraries
• University of Pennsylvania
• Smith College
• St. Mary's College of Maryland
• The Free Library of Philadelphia
• District of Columbia Public Library
• Upper Dublin Public Library
• The Library Company of Philadelphia
• Historical Society of Pennsylvania
• CVS Caremark

Career Outlook for Library & Information Science

Read more about the Library and Information Science and the places you can go with this master’s degree here.

Admissions Requirements

Please visit our Graduate Admissions section for admissions requirements and application deadlines.

Finances

Tuition

Please visit Drexel’s official Graduate Tuition & Fees page. Note that this master’s degree requires 45 quarter credits.

Scholarships

There are a variety of sources of financial aid and scholarships to help you fund your master’s degree — explore them here.

Get in Touch

Our Recruitment Specialists are here to walk you through the sometimes confusing world of financing your graduate education. Get in touch with us now by filling out this form.

Schedule a Visit or Register for an Online Information Session

Learn more about the College of Computing & Informatics experience through an online information session or an in-person visit. Contact our recruitment team to schedule your visit today by contacting us at cciinfo@drexel.edu!