Introduction

Throughout this publication, students have learned about the history, skills, and professional outlook of the information profession through a series of essays, video and written interviews, comics, and activities. As a textbook for undergraduate students pursing information studies, it seems only fitting that the editor concludes on a chapter about graduate school. Whether at the beginning or conclusion of an undergraduate program, students will most likely consider obtaining an advanced degree since, as covered in this chapter, a master’s degree is often required for careers in the information profession.The content in this chapter is a generalized summary of graduate programs and application processes for universities and colleges in the United States. Using the information and methods outlined in this chapter can be applicable and helpful to conduct personal research to learn more about specific domestic or international programs.

Graduate Programs

What is an MSLIS?

Graduate programs in librarianship, archives, or other information professions are referred to as a Master of Library and Information Science or abbreviated as MLIS. Depending on the university, the program name may variate as a Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS) or Master of Library Science (MLS).^[1] This versatile degree offers foundational knowledge and practical skills to successfully information organization and management careers. According to MLIS Skills at Work by San Jose State University, a master’s degree is required or preferred for 63% of information professional job posting, and the degree “is called for explicitly in academic, research, law, government, cultural, and nonprofit job announcements.”^[2] MLIS programs are offered in most states.^[3]. In order to learn more about individual programs, students should review the program websites. After meticulously reviewing the webpages on the program, admissions process, and financial aid, students should contact the program admissions officer(s), the graduate program coordinator, and/or the Director of Graduate Studies with specific questions.

Students interested in pursuing an advanced degree should seriously consider which career pathways they intend to pursue and determine if a MLIS is required before applying to graduate school. To learn more about the wide array of career opportunities for information professionals, review Chapter 11: Various Types of Librarianships and Different Library Career Pathways. This recommendation does not consign someone to a single pathway, and students are allowed and encouraged to explore other pathways at any time during the program to find a field that matches their personal interests as they build skills and gain knowledge from coursework and professional experiences. Rather, identifying job requirements is one of the best methods to determine if going to graduate school is necessary step towards building your career.

ALA Accreditation

Master’s programs in Library and Information Science may promote themselves as ALA-accredited, and a majority of libraries require candidates to have a degree from an ALA-accredited Library and Information Science program. ALA accreditation is a set of standards created by the American Library Association (ALA) that university programs must meet to ensure that students are receiving a high-quality education that will prepare them for professional practice. Obtaining a degree from an ALA-accredited program allows job seekers greater mobility and flexibility when job searching since they will be able to apply to a larger pool of jobs. ALA has an online directory with a list of accredited programs at colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.^[4]

The Application Process

MLIS programs operate on an academic year and will often admit students at the beginning of a Fall or Spring term. Application deadlines are usually months before the start of term, but each program varies, so check each program website for admissions cycle information and deadlines.

Materials

Collecting and refining application materials for graduate school is a dedicated process that can take months, especially if one is planning to apply to multiple programs at several universities. Plan to work backwards months ahead of each application deadline to best prepare your materials.^[5] Each university graduate program has different admission requirements, so it is imperative for prospective applicants to review guidelines carefully. Required application materials vary from program to program, but programs generally request:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher (out of a 4.0 scale)
• Unofficial or official transcripts
• Personal statement or statement of interest
• Resumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Several letters of recommendation from educators and/or professional supervisors or colleagues

International students will need to demonstrate English language proficiency in their applications by indicating fluency, sufficient language coursework, or reporting Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Requirements around the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores have changed since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many university departments, especially those in the humanities, reassessed the benefits and limitations considering GRE scores as part of the application process and determined that the GRE was no longer a required component of the application or was optional to submit.

Prospective MLIS students should reach out in advance of the deadline to their undergraduate institutions about acquiring transcripts, both for unofficial and official. Universities will have their own system of delivering unofficial and official transcripts and may have a fee associated with delivery. Some opt to send the materials to electronic or by mail to the student, or they may send it to the other institutions directly. A MLIS program might ask for an unofficial transcript at the time of application submission, but then may request an official copy if the student is accepted into the program.

Programs generally require students to submit a written personal statement, sometimes referred to as a statement of interest, as part of their application materials. These statements may be limited by a word or page count, typically 1-2 pages. Each university poses a different set of questions or requests information for students to respond to or include in their statements. This is the opportunity for students to express their interest in the profession as well as their demonstrated ability to flourish in a program that is an ideal fit for them. Committee members reviewing applications pay careful attention written portions of the program, so invest time to write a strong personal statement. Ask family, friends, colleagues, supervisors, and/or professors to review statements for edits or suggestions. Ideally, statements should have multiple rounds of drafts and revisions before final submission.

University admissions may require a resumé or CV as part of the application. A resumé  is a one-page document account of one’s professional experiences and educational qualifications, while a CV is a more detailed list that also includes but is not limited to: publications, awards, committees, projects, and achievements. Undergraduate students can get assistance with resumés and/or CVs by attending on-campus or community workshops or meeting with university career advisors.

As mentioned previously, written statements are often consequential components to a graduate application. To approach letters of recommendation, applicants should consider recommenders that can positively and confidently address the applicant’s qualifications and skills. Programs may ask have requirements for letter writers, such as one recommender must be a professor, one recommender must be a direct supervisor, and recommenders cannot be those who have a close personal relationship with the candidate (i.e. family and friends). Writing a letter of recommendation can be a lofty commitment, especially for professors who might be writing and submitting multiple letters for many students. Here are some tips and best practices to contacting a potential letter writer:

• Contact recommenders at least 4-6 weeks before the application deadline to
• Reiterate the relationship between the applicant and potential recommender, especially if contact has ceased.
• Provide a brief description of the interest in graduate school / programs
  • Include names of universities, application deadlines, and how they can submit the letter
  • possibly include a draft version of a personal statement
• Copy of Resumé or CV
• Other materials that might aid in writing
  • ex. written or visual documentation on past assignments, papers, projects
• Thanking them for their time and consideration

Plan to have at least one back-up writer should a recommender should one of them decline to write. Try not to take the rejection personally — there are external factors that may make it difficult for someone to write a letter at any given time.

Application Fee

Most graduate applications require students to pay for an application fee at the time of submission. These fees range by university but often cost around $50 to $150, and costs can add up if a student is applying to multiple programs. To offset the costs, students should contact each program’s admissions office to ask if they offer an application fee waiver. Some programs offer a discount if applicants apply by a specific time, are affiliated with the military, have demonstrated financial need, etc.

Online or Distanced Learning

Some of the most notable attributes of the MLIS degree is that many universities offer both full-time or part-time for in-person or online degree program which allows students to accommodate undertaking master’s-level coursework based on preferences and personal factors. These part-time online programs often appeal to non-traditional students who are working a full-time position in libraries or archives and need the degree to maintain their role or to advance in their organization or for those who want to pivot from their current career pathway into information professional roles.

Financials

A master’s degree can be a massive financial undertaking, especially for students who are concluding their undergraduate degree with debt. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarians and library media specialists earn on average $61,660 annually, while archivists earn around $58,640.^[6] Keep in mind that early career librarians often earn less than mid to late-career counterparts, and salary varies widely by company and geographical location. The cost of a master’s degree varies significantly depending on the university, degree, and length of program, but the average cost of a master’s degree is almost as much as a librarian might expect to make annually at $65,134.^[7] Some universities offer tuition remission through assistantships, which are part-time positions that offer tuition remission and other fee waivers to offset the cost of graduate school. These positions are competitive, since universities often do not offer enough positions to cover all admitted students. Another option to fund graduate school is to apply for scholarships. The American Library Association offers scholarships each year to MLIS students to help financially support them through their educational experience.^[8]

Conclusion

Graduate school is an investment that requires time, energy, and funding. Pursuing an advanced degree is a personal decision that involves personal and professional considerations. People entering the profession should evaluate personal and professional experiences, as well as research individualized programs, before deciding whether or not to go to graduate school.