Careers & Accreditation – Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

The fully American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at the University of Maryland (UMD) prepares students for careers in a plethora of fields – including government, higher education, archives, museums, libraries, startups, and many other organizations engaged in information activities.

Learning Objectives of the MLIS Program

Graduates of the MLIS program are equipped with a unique set of skills to launch successful careers

Graduates are able to:

Lead and manage information institutions, and be able to adapt to continually changing social, cultural, technological, and economic contexts;
Advocate for the needs of information institutions, their users, and their communities, as well as the needs of creators of information;
Develop and implement theories and best practices of information at all stages of the information cycle, from creation to evaluation to dissemination to access;
Apply user-focused strategies to work inclusively and equitably with diverse populations;
Promote information literacy and technology literacy by educating users about programs, systems, and technologies related to information behavior;
Solve community-based problems related to information; and
Contribute to new approaches, ideas, and innovations in the field.

Facts and Figures

According to a survey administered to 2020 graduates, 89% of those who were employed held positions relevant to the degree. In 2019, 83% of respondents held positions relevant to the degree. More information from our 2020 alumni survey through Library Journal is available here.

Our average time to degree completion is 2.22 years (based on data from 2014-2018). Our retention rate after 2 years is 96.3% (based on our Fall 2016 cohort).

Retention Rate for LBSC/LBSO/HiLS Students

	After 1 Year	After 2 Year	After 3 Year	After 4 Year
2020	92.1
2019	92.2	88.8
2018	92.4	90.9	92.4
2017	94.6	90.2	91.1	91.1
2016	95.7	94	94.9	94.9

Average time to degree for LBSC/LBSO Students

Academic Year	Average Time to Degree	Median Time to Degree
2020-2021	2.3	2.0
2019-2020	2.3	1.9
2018-2019	2.2	2.0
2017-2018	2.3	2.0
2016-2017	2.0	1.9

Acceptance Rates [LBSC, LBSO, HILS]

Semester	Applications Received	Acceptance Rate
Spring 2016	31	77.4%
Fall 2016	141	78.7%
Spring 2017	51	76.5%
Fall 2017	150	82.0%
Spring 2018	62	82.3%
Fall 2018	210	80.1%
Spring 2019	82	81.7%
Fall 2019	228	71.9%
Spring 2020	74	81.1%

Career Paths

Where do MLIS Graduates Work?

Academic libraries
Government libraries (state or federal government agencies)
Archives/Special collections
Public libraries
Museums
Information technology
Non-profit organizations other than a library
School libraries
Corporate organizations
Government intelligence
Law libraries and legal offices

Alumni Interviews

MLIS graduates are prepared to be leaders in their chosen field. Students graduate from the program with an impressive and diverse set of skills which set them apart from other applicants. Graduates reported that the most valuable skills they learned in the MLIS program were:

Alumni Spotlight: The Work of an Ivy League Librarian – Tara Custer MLS ‘15

Alumni Spotlight: A Librarian’s Journey to Finding Her Calling – Amelia Nuss, MLS 2010

Alumni Spotlight: How an iSchool Alumna Helps Fight Plagiarism – Terry Darr, MLS ’06

Alumni Spotlight: Independent Scholar Who Strives to Be an Autodidact – David B. Levy, MLS ‘94

Alumni Spotlight: The Endless Opportunities in Librarianship – Mary Ellen Icaza MLS ‘98

Alumni Spotlight: From Law School to iSchool – Laura Moorer MLS’12

Working in Libraries – Like Mother, Like Daughter

Careers 4 Terps: LIS Internship & Job Openings

Mission Statement of the MLIS program

The MLIS Program educates a diverse group of students in the knowledge, skills, habits of thought and inquiry, a
nd ethics of the library and information professions through theory and practice, enabling them to be leaders in the state, national, and global information society.

Vision Statement of the MLIS program

The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree at the University of Maryland prepares graduates to be socially engaged and technologically focused information professionals, ready to create, educate, and innovate.