This graduate program, founded in 1893, offers a doctoral program, an online education program, and an advanced digital libraries degree. This graduate school department is part of the iSchools project, which includes schools interested in the intersection of information, technology and people. The programs ranks high in the specialty areas of children and youth services, digital librarianship and information systems. The master’s program at the University of Illinois is a 40-hour program, and students are able to design their own course of study.
University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
The Graduate School of Library and Information Science
501 E Daniel St.
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-3280
Lis.uiuc.edu
The program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill shares the No 1 spot with University of Illinois as the top library master’s program in the United States. The program is home to the Interaction Design Laboratory (IDL), which has research initiatives that focus on human-computer interaction and information system designs with a user-centered approach. The program also houses ibiblio.org, a web-based public library with free software, music, literature, art and more.
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
School of Library and Information Science
216 Lenoir Drive
CB#3360, 100 Manning Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
(919) 962-8366
Slis.unc.edu
Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies ranks high in the specialty of information systems. The program is heavily focused on technology with an emphasis on the integration of information and technology into businesses. Students have the option of attending classes on campus or through distance learning as well as choosing a full-time or part-time schedule. Students also have the option of pursuing a Certificate of Advanced Study in programs like school media and digital libraries.
Syracuse University
School of Information Studies
245 Hinds Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244
(315) 443-2911
Ischool.syr.edu
Located in the Pacific Northwest and started in 1911, the Information School at the University of Washington is focused on the connection between how people use information and how information systems are designed. The program has been accredited by the American Library Association since 1926. Students have the option of doing the graduate program online or on campus. The master’s degree consists of 63 quarter credits and has nine required courses. There is also a required portfolio or thesis at the end of the program, which must be completed in six years. On-campus students also have the option of taking library and information studies courses as non-degree-seeking students.
University of Washington
The Information School
Box 352840
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 685-9937
Ischool.washington.edu