Library and Information Science, MSLS

The MSLS program has continuing accreditation from the American Library Association and is the only ALA-accredited Library Science program in Kentucky. Offered fully online, the program prepares students to work as information processionals in a variety of settings like medical, public, academic, and school libraries.

Academic concentrations within the MSLS program include academic libraries, health information, information technology and systems, public libraries, school libraries, youth services and literature, and a generalist option.

See the LIS website at: Online Master’s in Library and Information Science Technology | School of Information Science (uky.edu).

Interested applicants might also review our Student Handbook.

Admission Requirements

The MSLS program invites applicants to apply for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Admission to the program requires:

a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
a grade point average of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale) on any prior undergraduate or graduate work
submission of a personal statement and current resumé/CV

three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references

Degree Requirements

To earn the MSLS, students must complete a total of 36 credit hours, successfully pass the exit requirement, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Core Courses

Within the 36 hours, students must complete 4 required core courses (12 hours), 1 technology course (3 hours), and 7 elective courses (21 hours). The required core courses are as follows:

LIS 600 - Information in Society
LIS 601 - Information Search
LIS 602 - Knowledge Organization
LIS 603 - Management in Information Organizations
Elective offerings span across the concentration areas. With prior permission of the Director of Graduate Studies, students may also elect to complete up to 6 hours of course work outside of Library Science to count toward their degree.

Students in the school libraries concentration may have more restricted election options as they fulfill the requirement for school library media certification and change of rank.