Library and Information Science
The School of Information Science is committed to supporting the development and improvement of library and information services as an essential part of cultural enrichment, the dissemination of knowledge and the enhancement of overall quality of life.
The school's mission is to provide and promote education and leadership in library and information science, services and studies through the highest levels of teaching, research and service.
The School of Information Science offers a Master of Library and Information Science degree, Ph.D. in Library and Information Science, and two programs of advanced study beyond the master’s degree: the Certificate of Graduate Study in Library and Information Science and the Specialist in Library and Information Science degree.
Graduate Degrees
The School of Information Science offers three graduate-level degree programs and one certificate program for Library and Information Science. In addition, there are two dual degree programs:
The Master of Library and Information Science degree is a program of basic professional education designed to prepare students for entry into positions in libraries and information centers in colleges, schools, communities, industries and businesses. The M.L.I.S. program provides students not only a strong core of general knowledge of the profession but also the opportunity to explore individual areas of interest related to career preparation. Instruction is available to students in all areas of South Carolina through an extensive program of distance education. Advances in educational technology made it possible for the University of South Carolina to work cooperatively with appropriate agencies in Georgia, West Virginia, Maine and Virginia to offer the complete M.L.I.S. program to students in those states who would not otherwise have access to an ALA-accredited program of library and information science.
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
The Ph.D. in Library and Information Science is a research-intensive degree designed to prepare graduates for faculty and administrative careers in universities, research centers and the public sector. The Ph.D. program is broadly interdisciplinary, with a curriculum balanced between the intellectual realms of library science and information science. While providing foundational courses covering theoretical and methodological approaches to information-seeking behavior and interactions with information in its many formats, the program also allows for study in a cognate discipline that sharpens and enriches a student’s major research emphasis.
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
This program, offered by the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Information Science, culminates in a Master of Arts in English and a Master of Library and Information Science.
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
This program, offered by the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Information Science, culminates in a Master of Arts in Public History and a Master of Library and Information Science.
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
The Certificate in Specialized Study in Information Science is tailored to complement the Master of Library and Information Science program by providing post-master’s degree instruction designed to enhance the student’s career opportunities in a chosen area of specialization. Completion of the Certificate in Specialized Study in Information Science will acknowledge to prospective employers the student’s additional preparation for specific job responsibilities.
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
The Specialist in Library and Information Science is a sixth-year degree program for librarians, information managers, media specialists and other related professionals who wish to refresh and update their knowledge and skills, gain greater specialization in their professional training, or redirect their careers from one area to another. The school meets the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards for teacher education programs.
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
Apply to Graduate School
Learn more about The Graduate School, degree options and how to apply for admission to doctoral, master’s, certificate and combination degree programs at South Carolina.
As a first-generation student with three mentors who went through the program at the University of South Carolina, it was a no-brainer that I follow their path and do the same!
