Build your career by joining the ALA-accredited Library and Information Science (LIS) program at the University of Denver, where we bridge traditional librarianship with cutting-edge information technology and data services. Our program offers a wealth of internship opportunities and flexible learning modalities. Students can choose from flexible online courses, or in-person courses that are distinguished by face-to-face instruction and small class sizes. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountain region, we focus on essential career pathways in public and academic libraries, archives and records management, data management, information technology, digital libraries and other information settings.
Social justice is a core value in our program—our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility is reflected in every aspect of our culture, from the curriculum and class discussions to faculty research and student projects. Our faculty are seasoned experts and active researchers dedicated to providing education that balances practical skills with deep theoretical insights. With several active student chapters of professional organizations that organize both social and professional development events, our program cultivates a network that values the transformative power of information and community service. Join us and become a part of this vibrant community.
Start Dates: Fall
Curriculum: 58 Credit Hours for MLIS; 53 Credit Hours for MLIS with a concentration in Research Data Management
Program Length: 21 Months full-time; 24-36 Months part-time
88% Percent of students who find the coursework relevant to their expected careers 2023 student satisfaction survey
87% Percent of graduates who find professional careers in library and archives settings 2023 Library Journal Placement Survey
100% Percent of admitted students who receive some form of tuition assistance from the Morgridge College of Education
Master of Library and Information Science
How our curriculum prepares you for your career
Choose from a wide selection of coursework
The program offers you a wide range of courses to prepare you for various professional career pathways.
Take special topic courses on the latest trends
In response to the dynamic nature of the field and societal needs, you will find special topic courses on artificial intelligence, book banning, serving diverse communities and global LIS.
Gain hands-on experience from internships
For your culminating internship, you will select libraries, archives, or museum sites relevant to your professional interests. You may also participate in building digital archives for local communities in Colorado, such as the Park County Digital Archive and the Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society Photographic Collection.
Gain practical experience
You will gain valuable practical experience through experiential learning, a variety of internships and community-based projects.
Have a voice in the field of information science
Under faculty direction, you will have opportunities to publish articles and book chapters and present at conferences.
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Application Information
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Advance your career with a Master of Library and Information Science
MLIS students may focus their studies by selecting courses that support a professional specialization in areas such as: Academic Libraries, Public Libraries, Archives and Records Management, Information Technology & Digital Libraries, or Community Engagement. Specializations with suggested corresponding courses are informal tracks that can guide students in developing coherent relevant expertise in LIS.
LIS Core and Required Courses - 58 Credit Hours
- LIS 4000 - Libraries, Information and Society
- LIS 4010 - Organization of Information
- LIS 4015 - User and Access Services
- LIS 4040 - Management of Information Organizations
- LIS 4050 - Library and Information Technologies
- RMS 4900 - Education Research and Measurement
- LIS 4910 - Culminating Internship or LIS 4901 - Capstone Course
Elective Requirements - 36 Credit Hours
Non-Coursework Requirements
- Portfolio
Research Data Management Concentration
If you choose to pursue the Research Data Management concentration , you will be prepared to handle complex data challenges, making you an asset in academic, corporate, research and public sector environments where data-driven decision-making is critical.
You'll explore data services encompassing the entire data lifecycle. This includes the collection, analysis, management, visualization and reporting of data. The curriculum features specialized courses tailored to equip you with practical skills and theoretical knowledge essential for managing and interpreting data effectively.
With the Library and Information Science (LIS) programs, you'll engage with courses such as Data Visualization, Data Curation, Scripting for Large Databases, Database Management Systems and Scholarly Communications. Additionally, the Research Methods and Statistics (RMS) component includes courses that cover Introduction to Statistics, Quantitative Research Design, Survey Design and Analysis, and Introduction to Qualitative Research.
Concentration Requirements
- LIS 4210 - Data Visualization
- LIS 4220 - Data Curation
- LIS 4135 - Scholarly Communication
- LIS 4230 - Database Management Systems
- LIS 4235 - Scripting for Large Databases
- RMS 4910 - Introductory Statistics
- RMS 4930 - Quantitative Research Design
- RMS 4931 - Survey and Design Analysis
- RMS 4941 - Introduction to Qualitative Research
Elective Requirements - 5 Credit Hours
Careers That Graduates Pursue With MLIS Degrees
Our graduates excel across diverse roles, from public and academic librarians to digital archivists and IT leaders. You'll find yourself effectively serving and advocating for diverse communities and meeting information, institutional, and organizational needs. Some careers our graduates have pursued with their MLIS degrees include:
- Academic Librarian
- Adult Services Supervisor
- Archivist
- Associate Professor and Teaching and Learning Librarian
- Children Services Librarian
- Content Strategist and Librarian
- Digital Archivist
- Digital Collection Librarian
- Digital Initiatives and OER Librarian
- Education Informationist
- Head of Research Services
- Head of Technical Services
- Kids and Families Librarian
- Metadata Librarian
- Reference Librarian
- Research Data Curation and Digital Archives Administrator
- Scholarly Communications Librarian
- Senior UX Designer
- Special Collections Librarian
- Teen Librarian
- UX Design + Content Strategy Coach
- UX/UI Designer and Researcher
- Web Applications Developer
- Young Adult Services Librarian
LIS Signature Stories
The LIS Signature Stories series features video interviews with LIS graduates who work in different professional areas.
Students and faculty participating in a community project with Park County Local History Archive are featured in the video below.
Notable MLIS Alumni
Laurier Cress (MLIS ’21)
UX Designer/Researcher at Harvard University
Get Started on Your MLIS Degree
Build your Library and Information Science career with an MLIS from the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education