Contact
Beth Patin
Program Director
(315) 443-2911
igrad@syr.edu
Website
https://ischool.syr.edu/academics/library-and-information-science-masters-degree/
Overview
As part of the School of Information Studies, the Library and Information Science (LIS) program provides a foundation in the knowledge, skills, and values of librarianship by educating leaders in the library and information profession who will implement and advocate for information justice, equity, and community engagement in their communities of practice. LIS coursework stresses both the theory and practice of library and information science. It includes educational opportunities beyond formal coursework through one-on-one interaction with the faculty; hands-on learning in libraries and information centers; exposure to leaders in the profession; and direct participation in research projects. The program is offered in both campus and online learning formats and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The focus on information justice, equity, and community engagement will be applied and demonstrated through core courses focusing on access and use of information, community information use and users, cultural responsiveness, organization of information and knowledge, evaluation of knowledge, knowledge producing, dissemination and preservation systems, leadership, advocacy, social justice, and best practices for information management.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the completion of their program, MSLIS students will be prepared effectively to:
- Advance information equity and justice by applying professional ethics, values, and standards to work towards a just and equitable information society.
- Connect, engage, and collaborate with users and their communities through the provision of inclusive resources, services, and spaces.
- Design and innovate to create equitable, just, and engaging information artifacts, including services, systems, spaces, resources, and technologies.
- Lead and manage people and projects in an equitable, just, and culturally responsive manner.
- Demonstrate information literacy and technological agility.
Curriculum
The 36-credit LIS curriculum is designed to prepare librarians who have the broad range of knowledge and skills needed for exemplary practice in the library and information profession. Students in the School Media specialization should consult the School Media specific curriculum.
I. Core Knowledge and Skills: 12 credits
LIS core courses provide a solid grounding in the knowledge, skills, and values of the library and information profession. The 12-credit LIS core has three parts:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| IST 511 | Cultural Foundations of Information Studies | 3 |
| IST 605 | Information Literacy, Behavior, and Services | 3 |
| IST 616 | Introduction to Information Organization and Access | 3 |
| IST 717 | Library Leadership and Management | 3 |
II. Concentration: 9 credits
Concentrations allow students to select coursework that matches their professional interests and planned career paths. Students are required to select one concentration below, and complete three classes, or 9 credits, from that concentration. Some concentrations have a required course that needs to be completed, as well as a list of classes from which students need to choose the remainder of their classes from to complete the concentration.
Academic Libraries
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| IST 674 | Academic Libraries | 3 |
| Collection Development and Management | |
| Instruction, Facilitation, and Program Design | |
| Research Project Design: Frameworks, Ethics, Methods | |
| Metadata | |
| GLAM: Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums | |
AI Literacy & Human-Centered AI
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| IST 600 | Selected Topics (must have a focus on AI and Librarianship to count towards this concentration. Students should consult towards this concentration. Students should consult with the program director to ensure the appropriateness of the course and receive permission prior to registration.) | 1-6 |
| IST 649 | Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
| IST 664 | Natural Language Processing | 3 |
| IST 675 | Dynamics of Human AI Interaction | 3 |
| IST 688 | Building Human Centered AI Applications | 3 |
| IST 691 | Deep Learning in Practice | 3 |
| IST 692 | Responsible AI | 3 |
| IST 736 | Large Language Models in Information Contexts | 3 |
Data Curation
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| IST 652 | Scripting for Data Analysis | 3 |
| IST 659 | Data Administration Concepts and Database Management | 3 |
| IST 664 | Natural Language Processing | 3 |
| IST 676 | Digital Curation | 3 |
| IST 681 | Metadata | 3 |
| IST 686 | Quantitative Reasoning for Data Science | 3 |
| IST 687 | Introduction to Applied Data Science | 3 |
| IST 707 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| IST 719 | Data Visualization | 3 |
| IST 736 | Large Language Models in Information Contexts | 3 |
Cultural Heritage Informatics
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| IST 622 | Cultural Heritage and its Preservation | 3 |
| Digital Humanities for Cultural Heritage Professionals | |
| Preservation of Library and Archival Collections | |
| Information Justice & Community Engagement | |
| Arrangement and Description of Archival Collections | |
| Special Collections | |
| Digital Curation | |
| Metadata | |
| Community Responsiveness in the Information Profession | |
| GLAM: Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums | |
Public Libriares
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| IST 672 | Public Libraries | 3 |
| Accessible Library & Information Services | |
| Cataloging | |
| Educational Technology in Libraries | |
| Collection Development and Management | |
| Instruction, Facilitation, and Program Design | |
| Community Responsiveness in the Information Profession | |
| GLAM: Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums | |
Youth Servies
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| IST 612 | Youth Services in School and Public Libraries | 3 |
| Accessible Library & Information Services | |
| Information Justice & Community Engagement | |
| Instruction, Facilitation, and Program Design | |
| Literacy Through School Libraries | |
| Public Libraries | |
| Community Responsiveness in the Information Profession | |
Generalist
Students can select any three IST graduate-level courses, or 9 credits, that provide a coherent experience related to Library Science. Students should consult with the program director to ensure the appropriateness of the courses and consider how they will add to their knowledge and skillset. Courses outside of the iSchool must receive permission prior to registration.
Electives: 12 credits:
Students must select four additional courses, or 12 credits, to count towards their electives. Students can choose any course from a different concentration for 3 credits, an additional course in the chosen concentration if available, or any course from the recommended list below.
Students can select any graduate-level course in the iSchool, including those from other iSchool Master’s programs. Additionally, up to six credits may be taken from other approved graduate programs. In selecting courses that are not LIS-focused, students should consult with the program director to ensure the appropriateness of the courses and consider how the electives will add to their knowledge and skillset as an emerging professional. Courses outside of the iSchool must receive permission prior to registration to be used as elective credit.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| IST 615 | Cloud Management | 3 |
| IST 625 | Enterprise Risk Management | 3 |
| IST 645 | Project Management for Information Systems | 3 |
| IST 651 | Scripting for Computer System Management | 3 |
| IST 654 | Information Systems Analysis | 3 |
| IST 773 | Reflective Portfolio | 3 |
| IST 776 | Research Methods in Information Science and Technology | 3 |
| IST 973 | Internship in Library Science | 1-6 |
Exit Requirement: 3 credits
IST 613 Library Project Design: Analysis to Assessment should be taken in the final semester or term of the MSLIS program.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| IST 613 | Library Project Design: Analysis to Assessment | 3 |
Programs of Study for Specific Types of Libraries or Library Positions:
The generalist core provides a grounding in the knowledge and skills of librarianship. Most electives provide conceptual and practical knowledge and skills that apply across types of libraries. For students wishing to prepare for a specific type of library or position, there are many ways to tailor a program of study to these interests. These include:
- Selecting topics pertaining to areas of interest for papers and projects in core and elective courses.
- Adding an iSchool Certificate of Advanced Study to combine with the master’s degree.
- Choosing electives that are appropriate for a particular type of library or position; see the section on advising guides below.
- Developing an elective internship that offers practical experience in an area of interest.
Faculty or academic advisor can assist students in planing a program of study that will prepare them for positions in their area of interest while also providing a solid generalist knowledge that will allow students flexibility in taking advantage of unexpected opportunities.
