Library and Information Science, Online MLIS
As the first institution in Wisconsin to provide a fully online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the School of Information Studies have extensive experience delivering high-quality distance education. The curriculum teaches you how to apply library and information science principles, utilize innovative tools and understand the importance of research in the field.
Accredited by the American Library Association since 1976, our library science degree prepares you to excel in a wide range of careers in the information profession. You can tailor your online coursework to align with your career goals by selecting one of our transcript-designated concentrations.
Start Dates: Fall, Spring or Summer
Cost per Credit: $800 (Total Cost: $28,800*)
Credit Hours: 36 (30 for those with a current graduate degree)
*Total cost will vary based on the number of credits transferred into UWM.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
Online
Why Study Library and Information Science at UWM?
- Qualify for librarian positions that require a master’s in library and information science degree with ALA accreditation.
- Join a top-tier program — our online MLIS is ranked #13 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
- Gain graduate-level credit from your previous coursework or experience in the field.
- Benefit from UWM’s long-standing expertise in online library science education.
- Connect virtually with diverse peers from across the country and around the world.
- Learn from faculty members who teach in-person and online courses.
Learn more about funding your online library science degree at UWM with the help of our Student Financial Services team, Information Studies scholarships or university-wide financial aid.
Scholarship opportunities may increase with academic standing. Explore the Panther Scholarship Portal regularly as you make progress on your degree.
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Whether you are a full-time or part-time student, the online MLIS application process is the same. To be considered for admission, you must:
- Meet all UWM Graduate School and School of Information Studies admission requirements.
- Complete the graduate online application and submit all application materials, including transcripts and an application fee.
- Submit a one- to two-page statement of reason.
We practice rolling admissions, but we recommend completing your spring application by Nov. 1 and your summer or fall application by March 1. These are also the priority deadlines for funding consideration.
| Minimum Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent GPA of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) |
| Coordinated Degree Program Admission | Coordinated Program applicants should follow the MLIS admission/application procedure. Students must apply using the appropriate coordinated program application found within the UWM Graduate School online application portal. Students must be admitted to both programs to be considered a coordinated program candidate. Please refer to the application and admission requirements of each program. Acceptance and enrollment in the MLIS program are not contingent upon acceptance/enrollment in a chosen coordinated program. If you wish to change your application to enroll in the MLIS program only, please contact the Graduate School Admissions office by emailing gradschool@uwm.edu. Please see the current list of Coordinated Programs for more information. |
| International Student Admission | International applicants should follow the MLIS admission/application procedure as well as the UWM Center for International Education (CIE) admission requirements. |
| Non-Degree Candidate (NDC) Admission | This admission category (also referred to as Graduate Special) is used for the following: – To enroll in classes without pursuing a degree. – To prove your ability for success in graduate school when your overall GPA falls below the university admission requirements. (Note: NDC status does not guarantee admission to or enrollment in a graduate program.) It is possible to take graduate-level credits as an NDC prior to admission to the MLIS program and have them count toward the degree. The limit to the number of such credits is 12. These credits must be approved by the UWM Graduate School and Information Studies in order to be counted toward the degree. Review complete details on Non-Degree Candidate (NDC) Admission. |
From online MLIS concentrations to coursework designed to give you hands-on experience from wherever you are, our curriculum offers a comprehensive approach to library and information science, preparing you for a career in the information professions.
Program Requirements
The minimum degree requirement for UWM’s library science degree is 36 graduate credits, of which 30 credits must be completed in library and information science.
If you have already completed a master’s degree or doctorate in a field other than library and information science, the online MLIS requirements may be reduced to 30 credits.
The master’s in library and information science program must be completed according to the following:
36-credit hour program: within seven years of initial enrollment
30-credit hour program: within five years of initial enrollment
We offer transcript-designated MLIS concentrations to help you prepare for specific roles or areas within the field. Our current concentrations include:
Our MLIS specializations give you the opportunity to customize your elective coursework on a special subject of interest. Your academic advisor can help you choose your elective coursework.
- Academic Libraries
- Digital Libraries
- Information Law, Policy & Ethics
- Information Literacy
- Special Libraries
In collaboration with several other academic units at UWM, Information Studies allows you to obtain two master’s degrees simultaneously — one in library and information science and the other in a different subject area. This dual-degree option helps you broaden your knowledge base and increase your marketability in the information profession.
MLIS coordinated programs are:
- MLIS/MS Anthropology
- MLIS/MA Art History
- MLIS/MA English
- MLIS/MA Geography
- MLIS/MS Health Care Informatics
- MLIS/MA History
- MLIS/MS Information Science and Technology
- MLIS/MA Language, Literature, and Translation
- MLIS/MM Music
- MLIS/MA Translation and Interpreting Studies
- MLIS/MS Urban Studies
- MLIS/MA Women’s and Gender Studies
Please note: You can complete the MLIS portion of the coordinated degrees fully online. Standard onsite tuition fees apply for ALL courses in the coordinated degree programs. Please talk with an advisor about total cost for the MLIS coordinated degree programs.
Courses
- INFOST 501G: Foundations of Library and Information Science
- INFOST 511G: Organization of Information
- INFOST 571G: Information Access and Retrieval
- INFOST 799G (591): Research Methods in Information Studies (Culminating experience for the degree)
The minimum grade requirement for each of the required courses is “B” or better.
Culminating Experience Requirement
As a library science degree student, you are required to demonstrate proficiency in the field of library and information science by successfully completing INFOST 799 (591): Research Methods in Information Studies, the culmination experience for the online MLIS, with a grade of “B” (not B-) or better.
Note: If you’ve transferred a research methods course from another university, you can’t use it as your culminating experience. To meet this requirement, you’ll need to either successfully complete INFOST 799 (591): Research Methods in Information Studies or complete a thesis. This ensures you gain the specific research skills we value in our program.
The MLIS fieldwork course, INFOST 990, is designed to provide you with practical experience in library and information science. As a graduate student, you’ll typically take this course as your culminating educational activity before starting your career. However, if you already have substantial work experience in libraries, this course may not be necessary for you.
If you’re an experienced student looking to explore a new area of librarianship or are enrolled in a Certificate of Advanced Study, you might find this course particularly beneficial in changing your professional direction.
Fieldwork offers you the chance to apply theory to practice, work with people in real-world situations and connect materials to actual library practices. It can help you bridge the gap between your classroom learning and your future career. Remember, you must complete all required courses before you can register for fieldwork.
For more information about the fieldwork course, contact your MLIS graduate advisor.
Upon graduating from UWM’s master’s in library and information science program, you’ll hold a versatile skill set in information management, digital technologies and user services, opening doors to roles that go beyond traditional librarianship.
Explore potential career opportunities through current positions our alumni have acquired, like:
- Chief Operating Officer – Abundant Health Acquisition, Milwaukee
- Data Intelligence Program Lead – Alation, Lake Mills, Wisconsin
- Deputy Director – Racine Public Library
- Digital Projects & Technologies Librarian – University of Toronto
- Head of Collections Services – Kenosha Public Library
- Head of Knowledge Management & Digital Assets – Milwaukee Art Museum
- Librarian, Women’s, Gender, & LGBTQIA+ Studies Specialist – Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
- Metadata Services Coordinator – University of Houston
- Music and Fine Arts Cataloging Librarian – University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- Principal Taxonomist – Guitar Center, Thousand Oaks, California
- School Library Media Specialist – Whitefish Bay
- Social Sciences Librarian – Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Supervisory Librarian – National Forest Service Library, Madison, Wisconsin
- Web Editorial Producer – Trek Bicycle, Waterloo, Wisconsin