Who is the MS in Library & Information Science program for?
Drexel’s College of Computing & Informatics’ Library and Information Systems (LIS) graduate major in the Master of 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 Library & Information Science (MSLIS) 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
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Hours
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Full-time (FT) or Part-time (PT)
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Time-to-Degree
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1.5 years (FT); 2.5 years (PT)
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Format
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On campus or online
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Term Starts
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Fall, Winter
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Curriculum Design
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Traditional Course-by-Course. Credits earned in the following Graduate Certificates may be applied to this master’s degree:
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Hands-on Experience?
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Hands-on, collaborative capstone project
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Technical experience required?
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No
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GRE required?
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No
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Meets F1 Visa STEM Requirements?
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No
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Library & Information Science Degree Program Overview
This 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 library and information science (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 (14th in 2021), which also rated the College in the following specialty areas (2021): Digital Librarianship (5th), Health Librarianship (6th), Information Systems (4th), and Services for Children and Youth (8th)
Request More Information
Be in touch with us to get answers to all your questions! We can connect you with a Recruitment Specialist, one of our Graduate Dean’s Ambassadors, or a faculty member to help. Contact our graduate recruitment team at cciinfo@drexel.edu and we’ll get back to you soon.
Meet a Library & Information Science Student
"[The LIS program's] flexibility allows you to build a study routine around your schedule and needs. The Blackboard discussions, group projects, and one-on-one professor Zoom meetings enable you to establish relationships and expand your professional network."
- Sophia Ezomoghene
Read More About Sophia's Experience
Library & Information Science Curriculum
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.
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:
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.
Where Our LIS Graduates Work
- Drexel University Libraries
- Smith College
- The Free Library of Philadelphia
- District of Columbia Public Library
- University of Pennsylvania
- The Library Company of Philadelphia
- CVS Caremark
- Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law
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.
Other Drexel CCI Programs in Library & Information Science
- A completed application for the online format or on-campus format.
- A four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher, in a completed degree program, bachelor’s degree or above.
- Official final transcripts from ALL Colleges/Universities attended. Please note: For students who have attended an institution outside of the US, it is highly recommended to submit a NACES approved course-by-course transcript evaluation (i.e., WES) for expedited review of your application. This approved evaluation will take the place of the transcript requirement to complete your application.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores are not required.
- One letter of recommendation required, two recommended (academic, professional, or both).
- Essay/Statement of Purpose.
- Current Resume.
- Pre-requisites for all graduate level programs: computer requirements and skills
- Additional requirements for International Students.
Please visit our Graduate Admissions section for 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!