Best Master's in Library & Information Science Programs Online 2026

Texas Woman's University's online Master of Library Science (MLS) program is ALA-accredited and prepares graduates for diverse information environments. This flexible program offers specialization tracks and requires a 3.0 GPA, bachelor's degree, statement of intent, and resume for admission. No entrance exam is mentioned as required. The fully online format features application deadlines in June (Fall), November (Spring), and April (Summer), making it accessible for working professionals and recent graduates seeking careers in libraries, archives, or information management.

• ALA-accredited online MLS program.
• Flexible program with specialization tracks.
• Prepare for various information environments.

Texas Woman's University offers a fully online, ALA-accredited Master of Library Science (MLS) program designed to advance careers in library and information science. The program includes a personalized study plan with a practicum component to align with individual career goals. No entrance exam requirement is specified. This online format provides flexibility for professionals at any life stage seeking career advancement or change, preparing graduates for librarian and information specialist roles in various information environments.

• ALA-accredited online program.
• Personalized study plan & practicum.
• Prepares for librarian/information specialist roles.

Texas Woman's University's School of Library & Information Studies provides a fully online Master of Library Science (MLS) degree with continuous ALA accreditation since 1938. This 80+ year established program offers affordable tuition, small class sizes under 25 students, and flexible scheduling. No entrance exam requirement is mentioned. The online curriculum combines interactive coursework with experienced faculty, designed for students at various life stages, with financial aid options available to enhance accessibility.

• Fully online MLS degree.
• Continuous ALA accreditation since 1938.
• Affordable tuition and flexible scheduling.

Texas Woman's University's online Master of Library Science (MLS) program prepares students for careers in libraries and information centers through a flexible curriculum covering information organization, technology, and management. The program emphasizes serving diverse communities and developing skills in digital resources and research methods. No entrance exam is specified as required. This online format allows convenient study from anywhere, making it ideal for working professionals seeking roles in public, academic, or special libraries.

• Online program format
• Master of Library Science
• Flexible for professionals
• Covers information technology
• Serves diverse communities

Texas Woman's University offers an online Master of Library Science with a Community Information concentration, preparing students for specialized roles in community-focused information services. The curriculum covers information organization, community engagement, and digital resource management for serving diverse populations. No entrance exam requirement is mentioned. This online program requires a bachelor's degree with minimum GPA and offers flexible learning options for working professionals, with standard graduate tuition and financial aid available.

• Online program delivery
• Community Information concentration
• Master of Library Science degree
• Flexible learning options
• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum GPA requirement
• Graduate level tuition
• Financial aid available
• Information organization focus
• Community engagement training

Texas Woman's University's online Master of Library Science with a School Librarianship concentration prepares students for school library certification through flexible online coursework. The curriculum covers library management, information technology, and youth services. No entrance exam is specified as required. Applicants need a bachelor's degree and must submit transcripts. This online program suits working professionals and career changers seeking school library roles, with financial aid options available to help manage tuition costs.

• Online program format
• School Librarianship concentration
• Master of Library Science
• Prepares for certification
• Flexible coursework
• Bachelor's degree required
• Transcripts submission needed
• Financial aid available

The University of Arizona offers the only ALA-accredited Master of Arts in Library and Information Science program in Arizona, delivered fully online. This 37-credit program provides comprehensive education across library science disciplines, ethics, and values, preparing graduates for diverse information careers. With tuition at $900 per credit, it offers flexible online learning without requiring entrance exams like the GRE. The curriculum reflects modern library environments, covering areas such as archival studies, academic librarianship, digital information management, and legal information.

This online Master of Arts in Library and Information Science with an Archival Studies concentration prepares students for careers in archives, museums, and cultural institutions. The program focuses specifically on archival skills including preservation techniques, digital archiving, collection management, metadata standards, and ethical practices. Designed for working professionals and career changers, it offers flexible scheduling without entrance exam requirements. Students learn to appraise, arrange, and describe historical materials for advancement in information professions.

• Online program format
• Archival studies concentration
• Master of Arts degree
• Library and information science
• Graduate level program

The University of Arizona's online Master of Arts in Library and Information Science offers concentrations in academic or public librarianship. This flexible program explicitly states no GRE requirement for applicants with strong academic backgrounds, making it accessible for working professionals and career changers. Students gain practical skills in information organization, digital resources, and community engagement through a curriculum balancing theory with real-world applications. With multiple start dates and affordable tuition, it supports career advancement in diverse information settings.

• Online program delivery
• Academic librarianship concentration
• Public librarianship concentration
• Master of Arts degree
• Library science focus
• Information science curriculum
• Flexible scheduling options
• Career advancement preparation
• Working professional friendly
• Multiple start dates

This fully online Master of Arts in Library and Information Science with a Digital Information Management & Curation concentration prepares students for modern information careers. The program focuses specifically on managing digital collections, data preservation, and information organization. Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA and must submit transcripts and a statement of purpose, with no entrance exams required. Offering competitive tuition with financial aid options, it provides flexible scheduling for professionals seeking advancement in libraries, archives, or corporate information roles.

• Fully online program
• Digital curation concentration
• Master's degree level
• Library science focus
• Information management specialization

The University at Buffalo's online MS in School Librarianship prepares graduates for New York State initial certification through a blend of digital coursework and in-person experiences. This program emphasizes practical skills in information organization, access, and preservation, requiring 100 hours of field experience. Students develop professional digital portfolios and instructional videos to showcase expertise. No entrance exam is required for this online program, which offers flexible learning options suitable for various life stages and career advancement.

University at Buffalo's fully online MS in Information and Library Science is an American Library Association-accredited program with a flexible 36-credit curriculum that can be completed in two years. This program prepares graduates for diverse global information careers without requiring any entrance exams. The online format provides accessibility for working professionals, with a $50 application fee and admissions details available through the university's website.

• Fully online, ALA-accredited program.
• Flexible, 2-year completion option.
• Prepare for diverse information careers.

This online MS in Information and Library Science from University at Buffalo offers multiple concentration options including cataloging, digital libraries, law librarianship, music librarianship, and public/academic/special libraries. The program focuses on modern information management, digital preservation, and library technologies for working professionals and career changers. No entrance exam is required for this flexible online program, which provides financial aid options and considers both academic background and professional experience in admissions.

• Master of Science degree
• Online program format
• Information and Library Science
• Multiple concentration options
• Cataloging specialization available
• Digital libraries concentration
• Law librarianship focus
• Music librarianship track
• Public libraries specialization
• Academic libraries concentration

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a fully online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program accredited by the ALA. This 40-credit hour program can be completed in 1-3 years and requires no GRE entrance exam. The curriculum covers essential areas including media utilization, reference sources, cataloging, library management, and web design through synchronous online classes for interactive learning. Tuition is $556.12 per credit hour with scholarships available, including an Online Student Scholarship for first-time online students. Application requires a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and a resume.

• Fully online, ALA-accredited MLIS.
• No GRE required; scholarships available.
• Covers key library skills; synchronous classes.

This online Master of Library and Information Science program from the University of Southern Mississippi prepares students for careers in libraries, archives, and information centers. The curriculum focuses on information organization, digital resources, and management skills to serve diverse communities effectively. Designed for working professionals, the program offers flexible scheduling with core courses and electives for specialization. No entrance exam is required for this master's level program. Graduates gain practical technology and information service skills for various information professions.

• Online program delivery
• Master's degree level
• Library and information focus
• Graduate level coursework
• Flexible scheduling options

The University of Southern Mississippi offers an online Master of Library and Information Science with an Archives and Special Collections concentration. This program prepares students for careers managing historical records and unique materials in museums, libraries, and cultural institutions. The curriculum covers archival theory, digital preservation, and collection management through flexible online scheduling suitable for working professionals. No entrance exam is required for admission, which requires a bachelor's degree and official transcripts. Financial aid options are available for qualified students.

• Online program format
• Archives concentration focus
• Master's degree level
• Library science focus
• Information science curriculum

This online Master of Library and Information Science program features a Youth Services and Literature concentration from the University of Southern Mississippi. Designed to prepare students for careers in children's and young adult library services, the curriculum covers youth literature, programming, and collection development. The fully online format provides flexibility for working professionals to learn how to engage young readers and create inclusive library spaces. No entrance exam is required for this master's program. Graduates develop skills in literacy promotion and community outreach for roles in public libraries, schools, and educational organizations.

• Online program format
• Youth Services concentration
• Library science master's degree
• Literature specialization focus
• Graduate level coursework

The University of Denver offers an ALA-accredited online Master's in Library and Information Science (MLIS) program with no GRE requirement. This fully online program allows completion in as few as 21 months with four annual start dates, featuring small live classes for faculty mentorship and peer collaboration. The curriculum combines core courses, electives, and a capstone or internship to prepare graduates for diverse library and information management roles. This military-friendly program provides flexible career advancement opportunities without entrance exams.

• ALA-accredited MLIS degree.
• Flexible online format, 21-month completion.
• No GRE required, four start dates yearly.

University of Denver's hybrid Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program with an Academic Libraries concentration prepares students for careers in college and university settings. This program blends online flexibility with campus learning, developing skills in information organization, research support, and digital resource management. While GRE scores may be required for some applicants, the curriculum focuses on collection development, reference services, and information literacy instruction. This military-friendly hybrid format combines online and in-person components for academic library preparation.

• Academic Libraries concentration
• Hybrid program format
• Master's degree level
• Information science focus
• Library career preparation

The University of Denver's hybrid Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program with a Research Data Management concentration prepares professionals for data management careers across various sectors. This hybrid format combines online flexibility with campus learning, teaching data curation, preservation, and lifecycle management skills. The curriculum emphasizes ethical data practices and serves professionals at different career stages. This military-friendly program requires a bachelor's degree for admission, with application deadlines varying by term and no specific entrance exam mentioned.

• Research Data Management concentration
• Hybrid program format
• Master's degree level
• Library and Information Science focus
• Combines online and campus learning

Louisiana State University's fully online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) is the only ALA-accredited program in Louisiana. This 36-credit-hour program costs approximately $19,980 and requires a 3.0 GPA (or 2.75 with stipulations) for admission, along with a resume and statement of purpose. No entrance exam is mentioned as required. The flexible 100% online format blends theory and practice, offering electives in areas like archival studies and records management for careers as librarians, archivists, or information managers. Application deadline is March 3, 2025, for Spring 2025 classes starting March 17th.

• ALA-accredited, only one in Louisiana.
• Flexible, 100% online format.
• Diverse career opportunities.

LSU's online Master of Library & Information Science with an academic libraries concentration prepares students for careers in educational institutions. This graduate program focuses on information organization, digital resource management, and research support services, with coursework in collection development, information technology, and library administration. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a competitive GPA; no entrance exam is specified. The online format offers flexible learning for working professionals, with standard graduate tuition and financial aid available. Application deadlines occur multiple times yearly for convenient enrollment planning.

• Online program format
• Academic libraries concentration
• Master's degree level
• Graduate program category
• Flexible learning options
• Library science focus
• Information science curriculum
• Digital resource management
• Collection development training
• Information technology skills

The online Master of Library & Information Science with a public libraries concentration at LSU trains students for community library roles through flexible scheduling. The curriculum emphasizes information organization, community outreach, digital literacy services, collection development, reference services, and library management. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a competitive GPA; no entrance exam is mentioned. Tuition varies by residency, with financial aid options. This program uses project-based learning and professional networking to develop practical skills for working professionals, offering a graduate-level focus on information science.

• Online program delivery
• Public libraries concentration
• Master's degree level
• Flexible scheduling options
• Information science focus
• Community outreach training
• Digital literacy emphasis
• Collection development skills
• Reference services training
• Library management curriculum

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's ALA-accredited Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies prepares graduates for diverse information professions through both campus and online hybrid formats. This program emphasizes developing, providing, and assessing information services for a technological society, with specializations available in digital librarianship, archives, and information organization. A required field practicum offers hands-on experience, and the program accommodates full-time or part-time study. While admission requirements vary, this master's-level program typically requires an entrance exam such as the GRE, though specific requirements should be verified with the program.

• ALA-accredited, ensuring high-quality education standards.
• Offers both campus and online program options.
• Includes a required field practicum for hands-on experience.

University of Wisconsin-Madison's flexible 36-credit MA in Library and Information Studies, ALA-accredited since 1924, offers both on-campus and online hybrid options. Students can specialize in five concentration areas including librarianship, digital archives, information technology, data management, and information organization. The program features a required internship/field placement, cross-departmental course options, and career planning support. This master's-level program typically requires an entrance exam like the GRE for admission, though applicants should confirm current requirements directly with the program.

• ALA Accredited Since 1924
• 36-credit Master's Program
• On-Campus and Online Options
• Five Concentration Areas
• Required Internship/Field Placement
• Flexible Course Scheduling
• Cross-Departmental Course Options
• Career Planning Support
• Professional Leadership Development

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's online Master's program in Library and Information Studies provides ALA-accredited education for careers in libraries, archives, and digital environments through a hybrid format. Students gain practical experience via a required practicum and can tailor studies to areas like digital humanities or social justice. The flexible online learning typically takes two years full-time or three to four years part-time. This master's-level program generally requires an entrance exam such as the GRE, though prospective students should verify specific admission requirements with the program.

• ALA-accredited master's degree.
• Flexible online learning format.
• Required practicum for hands-on experience.