Have you considered a career as a librarian or information professional? Or perhaps you having been working in a library and are ready to take the next step in your career?  At the University of Kentucky’s School of Information Science, we offer courses to help you grow as a public, academic, school or even health sciences librarian. Students in the library science master's program can earn a dual degree with information communication technology and share nine hours across the two programs.

The Master's of Science in Library Science

There are only a number of library schools with ALA-accredited programs), and a few still that offer the Master’s in Library Science (MLS, MSLS, etc.) fully online. Graduate students in the Library Science (LIS) program at UK SIS have the opportunity to earn their degree online and in as little as 36 credit hours. We pride ourselves on offering unique opportunities to our graduate students, including:

• A top 20 overall ranking in US News and World Report, #3 in health librarianship, #11 in library media, and #12 in children and youth services.
• Asynchronous online classes allow students a flexible, individualized schedule, and students may take classes full-time or part-time to meet the degree requirements
• Lower tuition rates for online learners (see current rates here) cuts cost of a graduate degree significantly
• Practicum and Study Abroad possibilities as part of student’s credit hours
• School Librarian Certification for students pursuing a career in school libraries or media centers
• Chance to apply for an Alternative Spring Break internship position in Washington D.C. at places like the Library of Congress, National Library of Medicine, or the Smithsonian Libraries
• Complete a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Communication as part of your degree

As part of the iSchool for the University of Kentucky, we’re committed to growing the information field.

We offer concentration areas in:

• Health Information
• School Librarian Program*
• Youth Services and Literature
• Academic Libraries
• Information Systems
• Public Libraries
• Generalist (for students who want to forge a degree plan based on their professional aspirations)

*The School Librarian Program allows for concurrent school media certification/rank change. See here for more details.

Our Vision

empowered by information
transformed by learning
driven by research
 

Our Mission

We prepare the next generation of information professionals to be leaders in the field through innovative curriculum, research, and professional services. We conduct high quality research that impacts the information fields and aids practitioners. 
Adopted spring 2022.

Want to know more or get in touch with us? You can:

1. Request More Information

Learn more information about our program by signing up for the LIS program newsletter series.

2. Attend an Online Information Session

Sign up for one of our online information sessions where you will be able to talk with our admissions coordinator about the program and the application process.

3. Start Your Application

Ready to get started? Click here to start your application to the UK Graduate School through Apply Yourself. Instructions for how to apply may be found here.

4. Contact Us

Have a specific question not answered on our website’s FAQ, etc.? We would love to hear from you! You can contact Student Affairs at sis [at] uky.edu, and if it’s an admissions-specific question, you can also email or CC our admissions coordinator Ashley Dewitt at ashdewitt [at] uky.edu.

5. Follow Us

With students across the country, you’re sure to find us around social media with some frequency. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn and Pinterest.