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Guide to Master's Degree

How to Get a Master's Degree in Information Science

Information is beautiful--when it's relevant and timely, that is. It's up to an army of IT professionals to make information accessible to users through digital management applications, protecting the public from data overload and mass distraction. Information scientists rally the tools of computer science, networking, database management, and interactive reporting tools to manage information effectively and support user access.

A master's in information science prepares you to use information technology to manage massive amounts of digital data. Programs straddle library science and information technology departments, drawing on both traditional information management techniques and next-generation software applications. You can earn a master's degree online or on campus in about two years.

WorldWideLearn.com helps you make the most of your MS in information science by planning your educational journey from the outset. Focus your professional goals and line up the resources you need to make your career ambition a reality.

Exploring the Field of Information Science

Information science catapults traditional library science into the digital age. Today's records--printed text, numerical data, visual communications--rely on information technology devices for storage, organization, and retrieval. As a result, information science has more affinity with computer technology than the social sciences.

To learn more about the field, see WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to College Majors in Library Science and Information Technology.

Guide to the Master's in Information Science

Master's degrees in information science have diversified to reflect different disciplinary interests and career goals. Program curricula range across the disciplinary spectrum, from traditional library science--archival and manuscript preservation, for example--to technological data management and systems analysis. On the professional spectrum, programs may lean toward traditional academic research and scholarship or career-focused training.

Choose among these master's degree types:

Master of Science in Information Science

Modeled on the traditional academic master of science, the MS in information science culminates in a research project completed under the direction of a faculty mentor.

Master of Arts in Library Science

The MA in library science typically emphasizes the social science rather than the technological issues of information management, accommodating specialization interests in library collection management, document curation, and more. The master of arts also emphasizes independent research and typically requires a master's thesis.

Master of Information Science (MIS)

This career-focused degree emphasizes the application of IT resources to manage information and digital data. Classroom and internship experiences incorporate both technical database and systems design training and education in user experience and human-computer interaction.

Master of Library Science (MLS)

This professional library degree focuses specifically on the management and development of library collections. Students learn to apply information science to enhance information access in the context of public, academic, specialist, and corporate libraries.

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

The MLIS covers both the disciplinary areas described above, with a specific focus on developing leaders in library administration as well as information specialists. An executive MLIS program offers a targeted curriculum designed for advanced library and information professionals who require specific training to move forward in their careers.

You may also choose to combine a master's in information science with a graduate qualification in another discipline. Possible combinations include the master of public administration (MPA) and the MLIS or the MLS with a MA in a humanities or social science discipline. Learn more about your master's degree options at WorldWideLearn.com's The Master's Degree Explained and Master's Degrees Online.

Specializations in Information Science

Specializing within the MS in information science allows you to carve out a niche and develop expertise within the broad interdisciplinary field of information science. Depending on the program you choose, you may approach information management from the standpoint of user needs or technological resources. General information science specializations include:

User-centered technology specializations include:

User-centered library specializations include:

Applied library science specializations include:

Depending on your experience in the field, you may have specific academic objectives or no more than a general sense of your interests. If you're not sure which specialization appeals to you, choose a program that will expose you to a wide range of research or internship opportunities.

Career Tracks with a Master's in Information Science

An MS in information science serves as a ticket into leadership positions and expert consulting roles. Continue on to the PhD in information science to qualify for academic teaching and research careers such as university professor.

Technical information science job titles include:

Library science job titles include:

Demand for trained information management specialists is growing, particularly in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Librarians and information specialists offer valuable services as "information brokers," explains a Bureau of Labor Statistics report. These consultants helps organizations "review vast amounts of information and analyze, evaluate, and organize it according to a company's specific needs." The more technological roles--systems analysis and database specialists--rank among the fastest growing jobs in the U.S., according to the BLS forecast covering the years 2008 to 2018.

For more information on information and library science careers, see the American Library Association's Guide to Employment Sources in the Library and Information Profession.

Plan for a Master's in Information Science

Earning an MS in information science can open doors to a diverse array of learning and career opportunities. Make the most of the graduate information science program by planning your degree step by step.

Step One: Find the Right Graduate Information Science Program

Given the diversity of information science degrees available today, it's crucial to research programs and find the right match to your interests and ambitions.

1. List Accredited Programs

Begin by surveying accredited master's degree programs in information and library science. Accreditation signifies a program's compliance with industry-accepted quality standards. Employers look to this important measure to gauge your academic credentials, making accreditation an important factor in the value of your master's degree. You can find a list of approved accreditation agencies at the U.S. Department of Education Web site.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com offers a starting point for your research, with links to accredited institutions with graduate degrees in information science or library science.

The American Library Association presents a comprehensive, searchable list of ALA-accredited master's degree programs in library and information studies.

2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree?

Next, choose your desired program format. You can earn a master's degree online or on campus, or find a hybrid program combining both formats. Hybrid programs typically split the curriculum between online courses and hands-on training via campus residencies and internships.

Other considerations to take into account include your learning style, different networking opportunities, and the cost of each program (it can cost less overall to earn a master's degree online, since you can continue working while you pursue the degree).

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com helps you compare formats and find programs that meet your needs. See Online Degree Programs if you decide to earn a master's degree online. For campus programs, see Campus Education or search Degrees by Location for information science master's degree programs in your area.

The Sloan Consortium, which represents online institutions nationwide, includes master's degrees in information science among its list of programs in computers.

3. Explore Academic Programs

The key stage in your research takes you into the details of each master's degree program. Important characteristics in a graduate information science program include:

Prioritize these factors to match your interests and professional ambition. A mid-career IT specialist requires different program resources than an entry-level library science academic, for example. An admissions counselor or faculty advisor can help you decide what program features matter most given your career goals.

Resources

School Web sites also publish most of the general information you need to evaluate program resources. Look for detailed information on specializations, career opportunities, master's degree options and requirements, course descriptions, industry-sponsored programs, and campus facilities. You'll also find links to faculty bios and publications. WorldWideLearn.com features an interactive search tool to help you locate information science master's degree programs that match your academic profile.

Informational interviews and campus visits give you an insider perspective on the program's resources, academic emphases, and learning environment. Meet with faculty, alumni, and current graduate students, and if possible, tour campus facilities.

3. Evaluate Program Quality

Finally, rank master's degree programs based on these quality metrics:

Aim for five or six programs that offer the most value for your investment and admit students with your academic background.

Resources

Admissions Departments should supply the information you need to evaluate these metrics. Ask about average admitted students' GPA and test scores, job placement rate, starting salaries, employer information, and student work experience.

Rankings give you a general sense of the program's reputation. Influential publications include U.S. News & World Report, which publishes a list of the "Best Library and Information Studies Schools."

Step Two: Apply to Graduate Information Science Programs

Most master's degree programs in library and information science adopt similar application requirements. Plan to complete these steps to gain admission:

1. Complete Prerequisites

Make sure you have satisfied the minimum eligibility requirements for graduate study:

To make up any gaps, consult the test preparation links, prerequisite course information, and online learning tools in WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide.

2. Prepare Application Materials

Most schools provide a link to the application online. In addition to filling out the information form, you may need to supply the following materials:

Some schools also ask students to complete a financial aid form and submit an application fee. If you are among the admissions finalists, you may be invited to interview with admission advisors and faculty.

3. Secure Financial Aid

Financial aid programs offer a valuable source of support for your graduate education. Sources of school funding include the university, the federal government, your employer, professional associations, and private foundations. Steps to securing financial aid include:

Another strategy for lowering your educational expenses is to earn a master's degree online while you continue working. For more information, visit the WorldWideLearn.com resource page on graduate education funding.

Step Three: Build Your Professional Network

Finally, prepare for the graduate library and information science program by reaching out to a community of academic peers and mentors. Resources for establishing yourself in the field include:

Together, these resources can help you gain inside knowledge of the trends and people influencing information science today. Build a support network that you can rely on as you pursue your education and professional development.

A master's in information science prepares you to tackle the challenges facing organizations, libraries, and the people they serve. Information technology is a powerful generator and organizational tool for verbal and numerical data. As a trained information scientist, you'll bring the skills and strategies to prevent information overload and realize the value inherent in relevant and timely information.

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Pursue your Information Science degree today.

Virginia College

Earn your associate's, bachelor's or master's degree from Virginia College. Our extensive programs are offered 100% online, so you can launch the career of your choice from the comfort of your own home.

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Strayer University

Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults.

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