Drexel University's M.S. in Library & Information science has long been acknowledged to be a leading program. In its "America's Best Graduate Schools 2010," U.S. News & World Report has ranked the online degree in library & information science at The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology, 9th in the Nation Overall, while its specialties in Health Librarianship (#5), Digital Librarianship (#6), and Information Systems (#3) were also top-ranked. U.S.News & World Report also ranks Drexel University as having one of the 10 largest online graduate library science programs in the country.
Drexel's online degree program prepares information professionals for successful careers as traditional librarians, knowledge management specialists, web developers, internet content librarians, competitive intelligence agents, and digital librarians.
Available Concentrations
Students can choose from six optional concentrations within this program (students may also select a “no concentration” option).
- Archival Studies: This concentration meets the needs of students planning careers in archival settings, including government agencies, libraries, historical societies, corporations, not-for-profit organizations, museums and religious institutions. The concentration courses may also be of interest to students planning careers in special, public and digital librarianship.
- Competitive Intelligence & Knowledge Management: This concentration focuses on information needs and knowledge management in special library, corporate, and other organizational settings.
- Digital Libraries: This concentration covers a range of topics in digital resources, collections and services. It can serve as a bridging concentration accessible to MSIS students and several courses are a part of the MSIS curriculum.
- Library & Information Services: This is a generalist concentration that includes key professional skills and an orientation to both a work setting and a relevant elective.
- School Library Media: This concentration is for students who wish to work in K-12 school library programs in both public and private schools. Designed to prepare graduates to be eligible for certification as school librarians by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the program meets the requirements of the State of Pennsylvania and provides a strong basis for seeking certification in other states as well. In most instances, students will be required to complete a supervised field study to be eligible for certification.
*NOTE: Currently, all courses in the School Library Media Concentration except the Field Study (INFO 891) are offered online. INFO 891, which is required for certification in the State of Pennsylvania, must be completed within a 50-mile radius of Drexel University's main campus. This course requires a 6-week full time (for students who hold a teacher certification) or 12-week full time (for students who do not have teacher certification) field experience component. Students seeking certification elsewhere should check on requirements in their own jurisdictions. View the concentration handbook for more information.
- Youth Services: This concentration meets the interests of students planning public library careers with a focus on youth populations.
*While completing the Library & Information Science Master's degree students may also recieve the certificate in Healthcare Informatics.
Online degree in library science features and benefits:
- An innovative curriculum with a strong technological background and a focus on teaching career skills in all the aspects of information management.
- A quality program, taught by the distinguished faculty of Drexel University's iSchool (College of Information Science and Technology).
- Fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
- Highly interactive, e-Learning method designed to challenge and engage students while remaining convenient for the working professional.
- Complete the Library & Information Science program at the pace that fits into your lifestyle. Take one course per term up to a full time credit load (9 or more credits per quarter).
The program consists of 45 credits (15 courses) and is organized in 10-week quarters. Breaking the year's academic work into shorter modules of 10 weeks each helps you stay focused and on track.
Available Post Master's Speclialist Programs
Students can choose from four Post Master's Speclialist Programs- see listed below.
Post Master's Archival Studies Specialist Program The Post-Master’s Specialist Program in Archival Studies meets the needs of students who want to gain the skills necessary to work with archival records and papers in all formats. Graduates can work in archival settings, including government agencies, libraries, historical societies, corporations, not-for-profit organizations, museums, and religious institutions.
Post Master's Digital Libraries Specialist Program The Post-Master's Specialist Program in Digital Libraries prepares professionals to work with digital library systems, digital resources, collections, and services in a variety of settings, including academic, public, and special libraries. Courses focus on designing digital library interfaces, organizing and accessing digital collections, and using appropriate and cutting-edge technologies.
Post Master's Youth Services Specialist Program The Post-Master's Specialist Program in Youth Services focuses on the information needs of children and teens and on the design and provision of information services to meet those needs.
Post-Master’s Competitive Intelligence and Knowledge Management Specialist Program The Post-Master's Specialist Program in Competitive Intelligence and Knowledge Management focuses on identifying and satisfying information needs to support critical activities in special libraries, corporate libraries, and other organizational settings by developing the skills necessary to provide organizations of all types access to critical information and knowledge-based assets they need to support strategic decision making.
Online degree in library science features and benefits:
- An innovative curriculum with a strong technological background and a focus on teaching career skills in all the aspects of information management.
- A quality program, taught by the distinguished faculty of Drexel University's iSchool (College of Information Science and Technology).
- Fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
- Highly interactive, e-Learning method designed to challenge and engage students while remaining convenient for the working professional.
- Complete the Post Master's Specialist program at the pace that fits into your lifestyle. Take one course per term up to a full time credit load (9 or more credits per quarter).
Applicants to the Post-Master’s Specialist Program must have a master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program, and have completed all prerequisites for individual courses within their area of specialization.
These programs consists of five 3-credit courses that can be completed online in 6-9 months. The program must be completed in three years. Apply today.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for Fall and Spring terms.
