Courses in the Master of Library and Information Science program are organized around six themes in the field of library and information science: human-interaction; information access; information and society; information systems; management; and organization of information. Six lead courses, one in each area, form the foundation of the curriculum and offer general knowledge of the major principles and issues of the field. Two or more central courses in each theme offer basic understanding and competencies in important components of the field. Specialization courses in each theme allow students to develop expertise in preparation for specific career objectives.

Students work with an advisor to design a plan of study by selecting courses to meet their interests and career goals. See Plans of Study for examples. Thirty-six credits, or twelve courses, are required to earn an MLIS degree.

The six themes with their core, central, and specialization courses are outlined below. Please also check our complete list of courses with course descriptions and pre- and co- requisites.

Human-Information Interaction

Organization of Information

Information Access

Information Systems

Management

Information and Society

Required Noncredit Classes

501-Introduction to Library and Information Professions
502-Colloquium of Library and Information Studies

All of the classes listed above are available on the New Brunswick campus. The Online Degree option of our program offers two streams of study only, for school library media and for digital libraries.

Other Study Options

There are a number of other course options available to MLIS students. Field experience offers the possibility of working for one semester in a library or information center and earning credit; it is highly recommended for anyone in the program who has never worked in an information environment. You can arrange to work under the supervision of a faculty member on an independent study course so you can explore a special interest. In some cases it is possible to arrange to take a course at Rutgers outside the MLIS program and use the credit towards your degree.

In addition, there are a tremendous number of noncredit experiences available to you at SCILS and around the University. The MLIS program offers colloquia every semester where experts come to talk about their work or current issues in the field. Other degree programs at SCILS also offer colloquia which you may attend. And Rutgers offers you the opportunity on a weekly basis to hear speakers from around the world who come to campus sponsored by one of the university's hundreds of academic programs.