Earn an ALA-accredited master's degree in Library and Information Science online!
The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Library and Information Science at St. John’s University will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today’s information-rich workplace. Our graduates demonstrate leadership in facilitating the information needs of a variety of patrons and clients, and are prepared for such diverse settings as public libraries, government and corporate information centers, archives, law firms, museums, and more.
Our program is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) Committee on Accreditation with the status of Continued Accreditation. The program is also guided by the Vincentian Mission of St. John’s, which emphasizes service and social justice. All academic programs at St. John’s emphasize the integration of the liberal arts and focus on ethical decision-making based in Catholic social teaching.
To ensure student success and accommodate full-time professionals pursuing the M.S. degree, we offer a fully online program. The program requires 36 credits, four core courses, a management course, and seven elective courses. You’ll also submit an electronic portfolio as an end of program assessment, which will allow you to showcase your graduate work to potential employers in the future.
Department Faculty
Please see a list of our Library and Information Science faculty at St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department Contact
Rajesh Singh, Ph.D.
Professor and Acting Director, Library and Information Science
St. Augustine Hall, Room 408A
718-990-5705
dlis@stjohns.edu
- Degree Type
- MS
- Area of Interest
- Social Sciences
- Associated Colleges or Schools
- Program Location
- Online
- Required Credit Hours
- 36
Admission
All applicants to the program must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 grade point average or above. The Division of Library and Information Science reviews applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Additional application requirements include:
- A statement of professional purpose, which should include a meaningful discussion of what you hope to accomplish with an M.S. in Library and Information Science from St. John's.
- Two letters of recommendation from professors, instructors, or persons with whom you have worked in a professional capacity.
- Official transcripts from each institution you have attended.
- A $70 non-refundable application fee.
- An interview with the program director may be required.
Note: Please select "Online Learning" when completing the application.
Office of Graduate Admission
718-990-1601
gradhelp@stjohns.edu
Courses
The 36-credit Master of Science in Library and Information Science program requires the completion of the following five 3-credit core courses:
- LIS 203 Information Organization
- LIS 204 Introduction to Library and Information Science
- LIS 205 Information Sources and Services
- LIS 239 Research and Evaluation Methods
- LIS 240 Management of Information Organizations
Students must also fulfill the Social Justice Requirement by completing one of the following 3-credit electives:
- LIS 222 Materials & Services to Diverse Populations
- LIS 275 Cultural Competence for Information Professionals
- LIS 283 Social Justice in the Information Professions
- LIS 322 Library Services for the Unhoused
Students also choose six 3-credit elective courses in consultation with a program advisor. Specializations are listed below.
The Academic Librarianship specialization prepares students for careers as information professionals in a broad range of academic settings, including community and junior colleges, four-year liberal arts colleges, technical institutes, institutions with graduate programs, and large-scale public and private research universities.
For more information, please contact Kevin Rioux, Ph.D., at riouxk@stjohns.edu.
Students in this specialization select four of the following courses:
- LIS 221 Planning and Delivering Information Literacy Programs
- LIS 231 College and University Libraries
- LIS 238 Web Design for Libraries and Information Centers
- LIS 260 Information Use and Users
- LIS 262 Project Management in Information Organizations
- LIS 263 Marketing & Advocacy in Information Organizations
- LIS 275 Cultural Competence for Information Professionals
- LIS 320 Fake News and Misinformation
The Archival Studies specialization prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in archives, special collections, historical societies, government agencies, businesses, museums, and other curatorial environments.
For more information, please contact Dr. Christine M. Angel at angelc@stjohns.edu or Dr. Kristin Szylvian at sylviak@stjohns.edu.
Students in this specialization select four of the following courses:
- LIS 249 Archives & Records Management
- LIS 253 Oral History
- LIS 257 Archival Representation
- LIS 262 Project Management in Information Organizations
- LIS 275 Cultural Competence for Information Professionals
- LIS 282 Knowledge Management in Information Organizations
- LIS 302 Genealogical Sources & Services
- LIS 310 Fundamentals of Data Curation
The Records Management specialization provides students with the opportunity to earn credit for Parts 1-5 of the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) exam. Upon graduation and verification of one year professional experience, students become eligible to apply for the Certified Records Analyst (CRA) designation and/or sit for Part 6 of the ICRM exam to pursue the Certified Records Manager (CRM) certification.
For more information, please contact Dr. Christine M. Angel at angelc@stjohns.edu.
The Records Management specialization requires the completion of the following courses:
- LIS 310 Fundamentals of Data Curation
- LIS 311 Records and Information Management
- LIS 314 Archival Appraisal & Management
- LIS 315 Data Preservation & Access
- LIS 316 Developing an Information Governance Strategy
The Public Librarianship specialization prepares students to manage and lead public libraries serving users in both large and small communities. Students develop the knowledge and skills to deliver services to patrons of all ages and backgrounds, foster partnerships with schools and community organizations, and work across key areas, including reference, programming, collection development, administration, outreach, and user services for children, youth, and adults.
For more information, please contact Kevin Rioux, Ph.D., at riouxk@stjohns.edu or Shari Lee, Ph.D., at lees2@stjohns.edu.
Students in this specialization select four of the following courses:
- LIS 221 Planning and Delivering Information Literacy Programs
- LIS 222 Materials and Services to Diverse Populations
- LIS 233 Public Libraries and Community Information Centers
- LIS 238 Web Design for Libraries and Information Centers
- LIS 260 Information Use and Users
- LIS 262 Project Management in Information Organizations
- LIS 263 Marketing & Advocacy in Information Organizations
- LIS 275 Cultural Competence for Information Professionals
- LIS 302 Genealogical Sources and Services
- LIS 320 Fake News and Misinformation
- LIS 322 Library Services for the Unhoused
The Youth Services specialization prepares students for impactful careers serving children and teens across diverse library environments. Graduates are well-equipped to take on roles such as children's or young adult librarians, youth service specialists at the local, regional, or state level, or collection development librarians with an emphasis on youth-focused materials.
For more information, please contact Shari Lee, Ph.D., at lees2@stjohns.edu.
Students in this specialization select four of the following courses:
- LIS 121 Literature and Related Resources for Children
- LIS 125 Library Materials and Services for Young Children
- LIS 126 Literature and Related Resources for Young Adults
- LIS 127 Library Services for Children and Young Adults
- LIS 213 Popular Culture and Young Adult
- LIS 214 Teen Spaces
Career Outcomes
The rapid transformation fueled by technological innovation and ever-evolving societal expectations for information are creating new opportunities for information professionals. The M.S. in Library and Information Science at St. John’s prepares you for emerging job opportunities in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings:
| Archives, museums, and record centers | Corporate, business, and legal organizations |
| Government and non-governmental (NGO) organizations | Health, medical, pharmaceutical, and scientific institutions |
| Non-profit organizations | Post-secondary institutions |
| Public libraries | Special libraries |
In our commitment to prepare you for the evolving workforce, the program will help you develop and hone your expertise and abilities in some of the most sought-after job skills involving communication, knowledge management, collaboration, advocacy, research, and project management.
Some examples of positions include:
| Archivist | Business Librarian | Communications Specialist | Conflicts Analyst |
| Digital Initiatives Program Manager | Information Technology Specialist | Innovation Librarian | Instructional and Training Librarian |
| Knowledge Consultant | Linked Data Strategist | Medical Librarian | Project Manager |
| Research Analyst | Research Librarian | Special Collections Librarian | Workflow Analyst |
While enrolled in the program, you’ll be able to gain real-world experience through an internship, which most employers look for on an applicant’s resume. St. John’s maintains relationships with host sites throughout New York City and beyond to help you find an internship placement that suits your unique interests and career goals.
To help you start your career and succeed, we offer resume, cover letter, and interview webinars through University Career Services. Our department also notifies current students and alumni regularly of internship and job opportunities in the field through our blog.
Our alumni are among the top in the field, consistently achieving success. Most recently, we are proud to announce that Steven Maloney '11G has been recognized as a Community Builder in the Library Journal's "Movers & Shakers" May 2024 issue for his outstanding contributions to community engagement and library innovation. Read more about this achievement here.
Online Learning
Earn Your Degree Online
Pursue your St. John’s M.S. in Library and Information Science degree entirely on your computer. Our fully accredited Online Learning programs allow you to take courses electronically. Log in at your convenience to enter our virtual classrooms, learn from our accomplished faculty, and engage with classmates.
Our online courses offer the same high academic quality that students experience on campus. Professors deliver lectures and post assignments via Canvas, our electronic course management system. Students use it to attend virtual classes, share documents, take exams, and exchange ideas with faculty and classmates.
A Fully Academic Experience
You also enjoy the outstanding services available to all St. John’s students, for example:
- Eligibility for scholarships and financial aid
- Tuition and fees identical to those for on-campus courses
- Access to library collections, career services, mentoring, and other academic resources.
Click here for more information about the Online M.S. in Library and Information Science at St. John’s.
Student Outcomes Data
Retention
Students Entering | Returned | Retention Value |
|---|---|---|
Fall 2023 | Fall 2024 | 81% |
Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | 78% |
| Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | 81% |
| Fall 2020 | Fall 2021 | 85% |
| Fall 2019 | Fall 2020 | 76% |
| Fall 2018 | Fall 2019 | 80% |
Graduation Rates (Three-Year)
Students Entering | Graduated In | Rate |
|---|---|---|
Fall 2021 | 2024 | 77% |
Fall 2020 | 2023 | 81% |
| Fall 2019 | 2022 | 50% |
| Fall 2018 | 2021 | 63% |
Career Outcomes Data
Year | Population | Response Rate | Placement Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 47 | 28% | 100% |
| 2023 | 34 | 26% | 81.8% |
| 2022 | 49 | 51% | 96.2% |
| 2021 | 50 | 69.2% | 100% |
| 2020 | 30 | 70.4% | 94.7% |
Tuition and Financial Aid
You may apply for graduate assistantships throughout the University. These positions offer tuition remission and, typically, a stipend. You can find more information about graduate assistantships on the Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships page.
The Division of Library and Information Science offers the Rev. Brian J. O’Connell, C.M. Scholarship, named after the late Dean of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, to high-achieving applicants who earn GPAs of 3.4 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for their most recent degrees. Incoming students do not need to apply separately for this scholarship, but are automatically granted partial tuition reprieve based on academic merit.
| Named after a former Library Faculty member and DLIS alumnus, the Garino scholarship is awarded to an academically distinguished MS LIS student who has been faced with a challenge that could jeopardize their pursuit of the MS LIS. Eligibility criteria: Students facing hardship or special circumstances are invited to apply for a Garino Scholarship. Award: Full tuition for one 3-credit course |
| Eligibility criteria: Awarded for academic distinction in the core courses LIS 204 and LIS 205, taken in the Fall. Award: Full tuition for one 3-credit LIS course. |
| Eligibility criteria: Awarded for academic distinction in the core courses LIS 204 or LIS 205, taken in the Spring. Award: Full tuition for one 3-credit LIS course. |
| Eligibility criteria: Awarded to the student for academic distinction and professional competence in Academic Service-Learning. Award: $2,000. |
Other scholarship opportunities include the H.W. Wilson Foundation Scholarship. For more information about scholarships and tuition, please visit Tuition and Financial Aid.
Please note that California residents in online programs at out of state nonprofit institutions, like St. John’s University are ineligible for all forms of federal aid, including federal student loans based on current federal state authorization rules.
Additional Information
At St. John’s, we encourage you to pursue professional and academic development opportunities that enrich your degree. The following Library and Information Science resources will enhance both your resume and your experience of the program.
Gain valuable real-world experience with an internship at one of the many libraries and information centers in New York City and beyond that partner with St. John’s.
Our division’s symposia explore current issues and trends in library and information science as well as other topics of interest. They feature presentations from current students, alumni, members of the faculty, and prominent outside speakers.
Academic Service-Learning (AS-L) allows you to combine program learning goals and community service through opportunities at libraries, archives, museums, and related non-profits.
