Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS)
Best Program in the Nation
Consistently ranked the No. 1 Library & Information Science Program in the nation.
U.S. News & World Report
A Great Investment
A top program at an affordable price.
Career Opportunities
Access to career services and internship opportunities.
The MSLIS—offered both online and on campus—provides an exceptional professional education. Students gain the skills they need to creatively and effectively manage, analyze, and preserve information. Graduates go on to fill leadership positions in a variety of information settings, including public, academic, and school libraries as well as healthcare, business, and science.
Identify and Land Your Dream Job
Choose Your Pathway
You have the opportunity to choose from seven professional pathways at the intersection of people, information, and technology:
- Management and Administration of Libraries and Information and Organizations
- Digital Curation and Data Stewardship
- Academic Librarianship
- Research and Information Services
- Public Librarianship
- Youth Services Librarianship
- Archives, Museums, and Special Collections
Become a leader in the information professions
Our graduates fill leadership positions in diverse information settings, including public, academic, and school libraries as well as healthcare, business, and science.
- Archivist Reference
- Information Technology
- Children's Librarian Rights
- Competitive Intelligence
- Information Architect
- Library Director
- Librarian
- Manager Information Architect
- Reproductions Coordinator
- Analyst Reference Librarian
- User Experience Designer
- Web Developer
*Continued accreditation status since first approval in 1926
What are the requirements for admission?
- The MSLIS program is flexible, and our application requirements are as well.
- While a bachelor's degree is required, your degree can be in any discipline.
How do I apply?
- Applications are due by September 16, 2025, for Spring 2026 admission and January 15, 2026, for Fall 2026 admission.
- Visit the Graduate College's application page, review the information, and select the "Apply Now" button.
Where do students get jobs?
- Higher education institutions, including Arizona State University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Iowa
- Pre-K-12 schools, including Gurnee School District 56 and Naperville North High School
- Libraries, museums, and nonprofit organizations, including the Minnesota Genealogical Society
- Public libraries, including North Riverside Public Library and Warren County Public Library District
iSchool Profiles
Meet MSLIS Student Anna Wiegand and her experience in the program.
Hear more from others
Armaan Singh Kalkat
Current MSLIS Student
“I greatly value the flexibility the MSLIS program offers in allowing me to combine areas of focus and explore a wide variety of topics. LIS is such a multifaceted field that there are a variety of ways to approach any one problem, and I’m sure that during my time here at Illinois, I will discover even more potential pathways and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration that will alter my trajectory, and that's part of the fun!”
Dalia Ortiz Pon
Current MSLIS Student
“Being a participant of the Leep program has provided valuable opportunities that help reinforce my development as a growing professional. While being virtual, there is a high touchpoint quality to the learning environment.”
Shuyi Liu, MSLIS '19
Health Sciences Librarian, California State University, Fresno
“The iSchool gave me a strong foundation and the confidence to explore interdisciplinary opportunities. The MSLIS program encouraged me to think creatively and equipped me with the practical skills needed to navigate real-world challenges.”
Kelly Schulz, MSLIS '18
Archivist, National Gallery of Art
“The iSchool really laid a great foundation for me to become an archivist. The classes I took and the professors teaching them prepared me for my internships, which only built on what I was learning. I felt confident in my abilities, knowing that when I told people I attended the iSchool, they would recognize the high caliber of education I received.”
