Library Science: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Guide Degree
A library science degree comes in three levels: a bachelor's for entry-level support roles, a master's (MLS or MLIS) for professional librarian positions, and a doctorate for research or administrative work. The American Library Association accredits master's programs only. K-12 school librarians also need a state educator credential, and requirements vary by state.
Here's the fact that trips up most people researching this path: earning a bachelor's degree in library science doesn't make you a librarian. The Master of Library Science (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) is the common professional credential in this field, and the American Library Association accredits those graduate programs specifically, not the undergraduate ones. But requirements vary by setting: public and academic libraries generally look for an MLS/MLIS, while K-12 school librarian positions often require a state educator license, endorsement, or school-library credential as well, depending on the state. That distinction changes which degree level and credentials you actually need, so it's worth sorting out before you commit to a program.
Library science covers the management, organization, and technology behind how information gets stored, found, and used, whether that's in a school, a public library, a corporate archive, or a research institution. It's one of several paths that fall under broader teaching degree requirements, and inside a K-12 school, a library science degree holder usually works as the school librarian or as a technology specialist, handling everything from selecting and budgeting for age-appropriate books to serving as the go-to person for research and ed-tech questions.
Bachelor's Degree in Library Science
A bachelor's in library science follows the same shape as most undergraduate degrees: general education courses in the first year or two, then specialization coursework. Including general studies, most programs run about four years and 120 credit hours. It can prepare you for library support or technician roles. A bachelor's degree, though not necessarily one in library science, is generally required for admission to a master's program later.
Core coursework typically includes introduction to librarianship, library administration, information services and sources, and cataloging and classification. Some programs add an internship or practicum requirement before graduation.
Choosing an Online Bachelor's Program
A few things are worth checking before you enroll. First, accreditation: the American Library Association doesn't accredit undergraduate library science programs, so look instead for the school's own institutional accreditation, which you can verify at ed.gov/accreditation. Second, format: online programs vary in how much is asynchronous versus scheduled, and whether an in-person internship is required. Third, outcomes: ask the program for job-placement data from recent graduates, since that tells you more than the marketing page does.
An online format also tends to cost less overall, since it cuts out commuting, parking, relocating, and on-campus meal plans, and it lets you keep working while you study.
What a Bachelor's Program Covers
Beyond the four core courses above, bachelor's programs in library science typically include coursework in:
- The history and evolution of libraries, from historical collections to the modern digital library
- How different types of libraries operate, both in the U.S. and internationally
- Database design and management for tracking materials, usage, and circulation
- Classification and cataloging systems for print and digital media
- Intellectual property law and ethics as they apply to information access
- Research methodology, including how to evaluate sources and design a research project
Master's Degree in Library Science: The Field's Common Credential
An MLS or MLIS is the common professional credential in this field, and it's the degree the American Library Association accredits, so when someone talks about an "ALA-accredited library science program," they mean a master's program. Requirements vary by setting: public and academic libraries commonly look for an MLS/MLIS, while K-12 school librarian positions often require a state educator license, endorsement, or school-library credential in addition to, or instead of, the ALA-accredited degree, depending on the state. Beyond traditional librarian roles, the degree opens doors to work as a museum archivist, technology information specialist, automation coordinator, or head of access services, even when "library" isn't in the job title.
Admission Requirements
Requirements vary by school, but most MLS/MLIS programs ask for a completed bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and sometimes an interview. Some programs also want GRE scores or evidence of teacher licensure if the applicant is coming from a K-12 background.
Paying for It
Graduate students can apply for federal loans through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Scholarships and grants are also available through individual library associations and university library science departments, so it's worth checking both before assuming loans are the only option.
Choosing an Online Master's Program
Because an MLS/MLIS is a common qualification for professional librarian positions, accreditation is worth checking carefully here. If your intended employers require or prefer an ALA-accredited master's, confirm the program's status before enrolling. Beyond that, the same questions apply as at the bachelor's level: how flexible is the schedule, and what does the program's job-placement track record actually look like?
Doctorate Degree in Library Science
A doctorate is aimed at research, teaching at the university level, or senior administrative roles rather than entry into librarianship itself. Most programs require a master's degree in a related field first, though a few offer a combined master's-doctorate track for applicants with only a bachelor's. The American Library Association's accreditation authority covers master's programs specifically, so for a doctorate, confirm accreditation through the university's own institutional accreditor rather than assuming ALA coverage extends that far.
Doctoral coursework tends to explore information policy, the ethics and politics of information access, and advanced research methods in cataloging and documentation. Some programs are fully online. Others require short on-campus residencies for capstone work, dissertation defense, or specific seminars.
Career Paths With a Library Science Degree
A library science degree doesn't lock you into running a library. A few paths it opens:
School Librarian
Orders, distributes, and manages age-appropriate book collections for a school, and increasingly takes on technology-coordinator responsibilities alongside traditional library duties. Public-school librarian positions may require a state educator license, endorsement, or school-library credential; requirements vary by state. Read more on becoming a School Librarian.
Technology Integration Specialist
Trains school or business staff to use and maintain classroom or workplace technology. Scope ranges from basic device troubleshooting to full curriculum-integration planning, and it's a growing field as schools add more ed-tech tools.
Web Archivist
Converts a library or institution's physical records, documents, and microfilm into accessible digital formats. Demand is more limited at smaller libraries that are already fully digitized, but larger institutions with backlogged physical collections still need this work.
Research Analyst
Applies the same research and information-evaluation skills from a library science program to guide business decisions, working with sales data, product research, or consumer behavior instead of library patrons.
Professional Associations
Joining a professional association is one of the more reliable ways to build career connections in this field. The American Library Association is the larger, general-field association and also the body that accredits master's programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a bachelor's and a master's in library science?
A bachelor's can prepare you for library support or technician roles. A bachelor's degree in any field, not necessarily library science, is generally required for admission to a master's program. A master's (MLS or MLIS) is the common credential for professional librarian jobs, and it's the only level the American Library Association accredits.
Does the American Library Association accredit all library science degrees?
No. ALA accreditation applies to master's programs (MLS/MLIS) only. For a bachelor's or doctoral program, check the school's own institutional accreditation instead.
How long does it take to earn a library science degree online?
A bachelor's typically takes about four years and 120 credits. A master's usually runs one to two years full-time, depending on the program and how many credits transfer in. A doctorate varies widely and can take several years, especially with a dissertation requirement.
Can you become a librarian without a master's degree?
You can work in library support or technician roles with a bachelor's degree, but professional librarian positions in public and academic libraries commonly call for an MLS or MLIS. K-12 school librarians follow a different path: requirements are state-specific and often center on an educator license, endorsement, or school-library credential rather than the ALA-accredited degree alone.
What jobs can you get with a library science degree besides librarian?
Museum archivist, technology integration specialist, web archivist, automation coordinator, and research analyst are all common paths that use a library science degree without "librarian" in the job title.
- The master's is the field's common credential - professional librarian jobs generally call for an MLS or MLIS, but K-12 school librarians also need a state-specific educator credential.
- ALA accreditation applies to master's programs only - verify bachelor's and doctoral programs through the school's own institutional accreditor instead.
- A bachelor's still has value - a library science bachelor's can prepare you for support or technician roles, and a bachelor's degree in any field is generally required for admission to a master's program.
- The degree opens non-librarian roles too - museum archivist, web archivist, and research analyst all draw on the same coursework.
Picking the right degree level is only the first decision. The sponsored programs listed on this page cover bachelor's, master's, and doctoral library science options, several with online and hybrid formats built for students who are already working.