Graduate Programs

$51,715

Average starting salary of 2021 graduates.

- Library Journal 2022 Placements & Salaries Survey

88%

Percent of the class of 2021 employed within a year of graduating.

- Library Journal 2022 Placements & Salaries Survey

Information Studies Online Graduate Programs

The School of Information Studies (SIS) offers asynchronous online graduate programs in two different formats: SIS Online & LSU Online. Both SIS Online and LSU Online programs are taught by the Information Studies faculty.

SIS Online

Our traditional program (SIS Online) is a non-accelerated online format that follows 14-week Fall and Spring semesters. Students in the SIS Online programs are classified as traditional, on-campus students for the application process and tuition & fees. Therefore, students interested in applying for SIS Online programs must select on-campus as admission type in their application. Students in the SIS Online Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) can take elective courses from one of nine focus areas (or any combination thereof).

SIS Online also offers the Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies (CARST), Graduate Certificate in School Librarianship (CSLIB), and the Doctor of Design (DDes) in Cultural Preservation focused in Archival Studies.

LSU Online

The accelerated program offered through LSU Online follows a term-based system with two terms in each Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Students in our LSU Online programs are classified as online students for the application process and pay a flat rate for tuition & fees.  Students interested in applying for LSU Online programs must select online as admission type in their application. Students in the LSU Online Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) can take elective courses from one of four focus areas (or any combination thereof). The LSU Online Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies (CARST) and LSU Online Graduate Certificate in Records & Information Management (CRIM) are also offered.

The table provides a more detailed comparison of SIS Online and LSU Online programs. 

Master in Library & Information Science

The MLIS program is offered in both SIS Online & LSU Online formats with the following similarities:

  • The MLIS at LSU is the only program accredited by the American Library Association in Louisiana, and has been continuously accredited since 1931.
  • This is a 36-hour, non-thesis program with 18-hours of required core courses and 18-hours of electives.
  • Students are not required to select a focus area and may take courses from different areas.
  • All classes are asynchronous online courses.
  • Applicants who qualify for unconditional admission are not required to submit GRE scores.
  • Applications do not require letters of recommendation.
  • Graduate receive an LSU diploma and attend commencement three times per year.

The programs differ in the following ways:

Length of Semesters & Terms

Courses taught traditional 14-week semesters (Fall & Spring) with the option of accelerated courses in the Summer.

Courses taught in two accelerated 7-week terms in the Fall & Spring, and two 5-week terms in the Summer.

Focus Areas

Students may select electives from among nine different focus areas or any combination thereof.

Students may select electives from among seven different focus areas or any combination thereof. 

Dual Degree Options

Students may use their MLIS elective courses to complete the CSLIB or CARST degrees. Students may also complete a dual degree with another on campus graduate program.

See the Dual Degrees page.

Students may use their MLIS elective courses to complete the CARST or CRIM degrees.

See the Dual Degrees page.

Admissions, Tuition & Fees

The SIS Online & LSU Online graduate programs follow different admissions deadline and tuition & fee schedules.

Admissions

Students are admitted into the MLIS & CARST programs two times per year (Fall & Spring). Students are admitted into the CSLIB program three times per year (Fall, Spring & Summer).

Students are admitted to the MLIS, CARST, & CRIM programs six times per year.

LSU Online Application Deadlines.

Tuition & Fees

SIS Online follows a traditional LSU tuition and fee schedule. For more information on tuition and fees, see the Graduate School Tuition Schedule.

Students who live outside Louisiana incur a nonresident fee. Students in select states can apply for in-state tuition through the Academic Common Market.

LSU Online follows a flat rate per credit hour for tuition and fees. For more information see the Graduate School Tuition Schedule.

Students who live outside of Louisiana pay the same flat rate per credit hour as in-state students.

Graduation

All of our graduates receive an LSU diploma and are welcome to celebrate their graduation at one of three commencement ceremonies each year. 

Degrees are posted on transcripts at the following times:

Three times per year: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

Six times per year: Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, & Summer 2.

SIS Online Graduate Programs

 
image of young black man reading in libraryMaster of Library & Information Science
image of hill memorial libraryGraduate Certificate in Archival Studies
image of students in libraryGraduate Certificate in School Librarianship

LSU Online Graduate Programs

 
image of woman looking at booksMaster of Library & Information Science
image of student in av archivesGraduate Certificate in Archival Studies
image of a records managerGraduate Certificate in Records & Information Management