Library Science Degree: Course Curriculum for a Library Science Degree Program

Published Sep 08, 2009

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People who have a master's degree in Library Science are qualified for several careers in the public or private sector. They can work as librarians in facilities open to the general public or only to select groups of people, such as students. Some people with a Library Science master's degree choose to pursue work in academic specialty libraries that focus on a single topic, like law studies, literature or a natural science. This article explains the course curriculum of a master's degree program in Library Science.

Course Curriculum for a Master's Degree in Library Science

Most colleges only offer programs in Library Science at the master's degree level. Library Science programs typically take two years of postgraduate study to complete and teach students the methods and theories of organizing various types of information and media. Programs usually cover various forms of media, from such traditional resources as books, newspapers and professional journals, to newer forms like the Internet. People who hold a master's degree in Library Science often work as academic or specialty librarians, information system administrators or researchers. The classes listed below are included in the curricula of most Library Science master's degree programs:

  • Information Organization Management: Most Library Science master's degree programs include a course on information organization management, which deals with arranging informational resources in a way that facilitates the easy location of desired material.
  • Research Methods: Classes on research methods help students understand how and why people seek information, and such understanding allows for more effective resource selection and organization.
  • Information Services Management: This course deals with the administrative aspects of Library Science and explores how libraries are planned, controlled and supervised.
  • Understanding Information: Many master's degree programs in Library Science require students to take a course on the theories of how people communicate and mentally store knowledge.
  • Information Organization Theory: These courses teach students about the ideas that guide methods of organizing informational resources.

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