In the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program, students are prepared to understand the roles of information and data in society. MLIS is responsive to the information marketplace and encourages the development of creativity, professionalism, and a proactive attitude to the needs of various clienteles in library and information service environments.
The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
At A Glance
Credits: 36 Duration: 1 to 4 years to complete Format: On campus or online
Next Start Date: August 24
| Application Deadlines | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term | Domestic and Online International Students | On-campus International Students |
| Fall | July 15 preferred* | February 15 |
| Spring | December 15 | June 15 |
| Summer | April 15 | December 15 |
*Preferred means preferred for consideration for scholarships and the partners program.
Admissions Requirements
General guidelines for applying to a graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh should be reviewed prior to submitting an application for admission. These guidelines are available on the University’s Application for Admission Catalog page.
All applicants will be judged on their own merits. Applicants for master’s study must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better. For those who have been in the workforce, admission will be based upon academic achievement, area of study, career orientation and work experience.
- MLIS Admissions Requirements
The Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship (ICDS) seeks students with a wide range of educational and career backgrounds for the MLIS program. By its nature, the MLIS degree is multi-disciplinary, and the faculty welcomes applicants with bachelor’s degrees and/or advanced degrees from many disciplinary and professional backgrounds.
The MLIS program does not require specific coursework for admission, and it does not require the GRE or any predictor test.
The MLIS Admissions Committee makes all decisions on MLIS applicants, and carefully considers all documents submitted by applicants: transcript(s), letters of recommendation, personal statement of intent and resume.
What can you do with a master's in library and information science?
Our graduates have careers not only in the library, archive and museum settings, but in government, corporate, non-profit, and entrepreneurial environments as well. The MLIS program prepares a diverse population of graduate students to make a difference in their communities through a rewarding and forward-thinking career path. View our goals for MLIS graduates.
Earn the MLIS Online
We recognize that successful information professionals come from all walks of life and that students are not always able to move to Pittsburgh to pursue their degree. Because of this, we offer a 36-credit program, which is also ALA-accredited through 2028, that can be completed online. Your program of study will provide you with the same foundational knowledge and practical skills as our on-campus MLIS degree program.
Current and prospective online students are advised to review our Distance Education Disclosures page for important information regarding policies and compliance requirements.
Coursework
The MLIS degree is a 36-credit graduate degree program that can be completed in three consecutive terms of full-time study or up to four years of part-time study. A thesis is not required. View full MLIS degree requirements in the Pitt Course Catalog.
Students may pursue an area of study which follows a more specific distribution of credits. These areas provide specific skills pertinent to students' career goals. Pathways and certificates include:
- Academic Information Resources and Services
- Applied Data-Driven Methods Certificate
- Archives Resources and Services
- Children and Youth Resources and Services
- Health Sciences Resources and Services
- Public Library Resources and Services
- School Library Certification Program
ALA Accreditation
The American Library Association (ALA) accredits master’s programs in library and information studies across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Accreditation is achieved through a review process conducted by an external review panel of practitioners and academics that verifies that the program meets the Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies.
In 2021, our MLIS program was successfully re-accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) for seven years until 2028. The MLIS program has been continuously accredited since the ALA first began accreditation in 1924.