phd of library and information science

Ph.D. in Information and Library Science

This doctoral program provides an environment that enables creative and energetic students to become innovative thinkers and leaders. Through coordination of student and faculty interests and activities, the program offers opportunities for research, teaching, and leadership in a variety of settings.

Information and library science research leaders must be able to identify problems that are significant for our future as an information society, carry out rigorous studies and draw valid conclusions from them, and communicate those findings to stakeholders who can act on them. The SILS doctoral program provides intensive, but highly flexible and customizable, preparation for careers in academia and research.

The Ph.D. in Information and Library Science is designated as a STEM program, which allows eligible international graduates to apply for a 24-month OPT extension.

After successfully defending their dissertations, SILS’ graduates have accepted positions as tenure-track faculty in information schools, research scientists in corporate and government labs, and chief information officers in a myriad of organizations and businesses. With a degree from our doctoral program, our graduates are making a difference.

• Kimberly Hirsh, 2021, Consulting Scholar-Librarian
• Sandeep Avula, 2020, Research Scientist, Amazon
• Eliot Hauser, 2020, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin
• Colin Post, 2020, Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• Jonathan Crabtree, 2020, Assistant Director of Research Data Information Systems, Odum Institute, UNC-CH
• Emily Roscoe, 2020, Adjunct Instructor, School of Government, UNC-CH
• Megan Threats, 2020, Assistant Professor, Rutgers University
• Heather Barnes, 2020, Digital Curation Librarian, Wake Forest University
• Yinglong Zhang, 2020, Research Scientist, Google
• Shenmeng Xu, 2020, Scholarly Communications Librarian, Vanderbilt University
• Sarah Beth Nelson, 2019, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
• Anita Crescenzi, 2019, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, UNC-CH
• Kathleen Brennan, 2018, Senior Researcher, Google
• Samantha Kaplan, 2018, Research and Education Librarian, Duke University
• Ericka Patillo, 2018, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Information Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Grace Shin, 2018, Sookmyung Women’s University, Korea, Adjunct Professor at SILS.
• Leslie Thomson, 2018, Postdoctoral Fellow, UNC-CH

Other notable graduates in recent years:

• Jay Dominick, 2005 , Vice President and CIO at Princeton University
• Meredith Evans, Ph.D.  2006 , Director, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum & 74th President of the Society of American Archivists
• Meredith Weiss, 2010 , Vice President for Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University
• Fred Stutzman, 2011 , CEO, Freedom

Financial Support

SILS typically provides support for full-time doctoral students during their first five years of study. Prospective doctoral students must apply by December 10 to receive full consideration for financial aid.

Learn more from our Financial Information page.

SILS seeks PhD students who:

• Aim to be information leaders in the 21 st century.
• Are attracted to information and library science as a field that incorporates diverse theoretical perspectives and a wide range of research methods.
• Possess the discipline and will to be independent investigators, and the vision and communication skills to be influential leaders in the field.
• Are committed to a life of research and scholarly inquiry addressing critical questions.
• Enjoy intellectual challenges and demonstrate analytical and critical thinking.

Admission to the doctoral program is competitive and based upon the strength of the applicant’s educational background and standardized test scores, work experience, statement of research, and personal interview. In reviewing applicants for admission, the school will consider past academic record and scholarly potential of an applicant, as well as the match of the candidate’s research interests with those of the school’s faculty. One or more faculty must be willing to assume the advisory role for the student.

Doctoral and Special Programs Coordinator

[email protected] or 919-962-0182

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Library and Information Science, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science program, in the Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship (ICDS), prepares students for careers in research, education, and professional practice. The primary purpose of the PhD program is to develop an understanding of library and information science beyond the master’s degree, with particular emphasis on the conduct of original research, the production of significant research findings, and the contribution of such findings to public knowledge.

This is a research-driven program where you will work closely with professors who are experts in their fields. Opportunities for our PhD students include:

• Archives and Information Science: For doctoral students interested in pursuing academic careers in the archives area, with a focus on digital preservation or curation and archival ethics, accountability, and appraisal issues.
• Information Behavior: For doctoral students who seek to understand how people plot a course through complex information ecologies including digital environments, and how such ecologies can respond to their ways of thinking, feeling, and valuing. A special emphasis is placed on behaviors of children and youth.
• Health Information Behavior and Health Education Interventions: For doctoral students who wish to investigate the information practices and behaviors of health professionals, patients, caregivers, and consumers.
• Social Information Systems: For doctoral students who will investigate issues related to the design and use of social information systems, focusing on the impact of social media on people’s information behavior.
• Web-based Information Systems: For doctoral students interested in studying, designing, and implementing web-based systems for representing, retrieving, extracting, and disseminating relevant information.
• School Librarianship: For doctoral students interested in teaching, research, and administrative experience in a top-ranked, competency-based School Library Certification Program designed for school librarians and school library supervisors.

Degree Requirements

This PhD degree requires a minimum of 54 credits beyond the master’s degree with a total credit minimum of 72. A minimum of 36 credits must be taken in advanced course work. The student must receive a letter grade in each course taken in this 36-credit requirement, except for the teaching practicum course.  

An additional 18 credits are required, which must be applied to dissertation research and writing; however, regardless of the number of credits taken, no more than 18 credits for dissertation research and writing may be applied toward graduation. The grade for these credits will appear as an “S” on the student’s transcript. In order to register for, and successfully complete, dissertation credits, students must show evidence of work toward the dissertation by completing the Dissertation Credit Tracking Checklist and updating it at the end of the term.  

The minimum of 36 credits of course work, all of which must be on the graduate level, must be distributed as follows: 

• 3 credits: LIS 3000 Introduction to Doctoral Studies
• 9 credits: 3000-level doctoral seminars offered by SCI
• 3 credits: LIS 3950 Teaching Practicum or FACDEV 2200 Practicum on University Teaching
• 6 credits: Courses in research methodology and statistics
• 6 credits: Courses in cognate field
• 3000-level independent studies or doctoral seminars offered by SCI (maximum of 6 credits)
• Additional 3000-level doctoral seminars offered by SCI
• Additional cognate courses (up to 6 credits)
• Additional research methodology courses
• 2000-level courses in SCI (subject to approval by the students’ advisor)

For full degree requirement details, visit the Library and Information Science course catalog .

Admissions Requirements

University of Washington Information School

Doctorate in information science.

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Through coursework and practica, Ph.D. candidates develop a strong foundation in information science, learning to identify critical problems and rigorously researching their solutions.

Tomorrow’s Information Leaders

Through coursework and practica, Ph.D. candidates develop a strong foundation in information science, learning to identify critical problems and rigorously researching their solutions. Students become well versed in the scope, origins, methods, issues and theoretical framework that define the iSchool’s uniquely interdisciplinary approach to the study of information. Ph.D. students at the iSchool come from a variety of professional experiences and academic backgrounds, such as information science, social sciences, computer science, library services, law, and information technology.

The Ph.D. program is a theoretical, research-based doctorate that focuses on creating and advancing new knowledge that will make a significant, positive difference. Research focuses on understanding human involvement with information and its social and technological ramifications. It addresses issues that affect the communication of knowledge and knowledge records among people in social, institutional and individual contexts. To learn more about Research Areas,  visit that area of our website.

As a Ph.D. student, you will benefit from a combination of mentoring, involvement in research projects with faculty as principal investigators and a culture of close collaboration with their peers. The breadth of expertise of doctoral students and faculty supports the School’s goal to produce rising academics that make original and meaningful contributions to the discipline of information science.

Program Objectives and Goals

To prepare you for a career as a scholar, researcher, teacher, change agent, and leader in the discipline of information science

To create a learning environment where the knowledge base of the discipline of information science is valued, rigorously examined and augmented

To establish a culture and infrastructure which will nurture the advancement and dissemination of new knowledge in the field of information science

To facilitate and mentor advanced study in information science

To create an environment that will nurture and promote your intellectual needs, strength and interests

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School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

Department of Information & Library Science

Advance the field of information technology

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Information Science at IU Bloomington is one of the oldest, continuously running information science doctoral programs in the nation. Our mission is to train the next generation of information scientists—professionals who want to understand, predict, and advance the ways in which people use information systems and communication technologies.

We welcome students from all over the United States and world. Most plan to enter academia. Our alumni have worked at institutions such as the University of North Carolina, UCLA, the University of Hawaii, Kent State University, and the University of Alabama. Other graduates go on to work for organizations like NASA, the Langley Research Center, and Oracle.

Learn about the Ph.D. minor

ILS welcomes doctoral students from all disciplines to consider a minor in information science.

Please send inquiries to [email protected]

Learn how to apply

Begin your online application

Generate original research on the topics that interest you most

The Ph.D. in Information Science is designed to prepare you for research and teaching in academia. Your core requirements will help you develop a strong understanding of the research process and what constitutes scholarly research. You’ll also learn to identify and conceptualize significant research problems so that you may undertake new research initiatives and contribute new knowledge to the field.

We encourage you to research the ideas and questions that fascinate you most. Recent areas of concentrated study include, but are not limited to:

• Biodiversity information and culture
• Computer-mediated communication
• Critical information and library science
• Cultural analytics
• Cultural heritage informatics
• Data and text mining
• Digital and computational humanities
• Digital curation
• Digital libraries
• Documentation
• Gender and technology
• History of the book, readership, and publishing
• Knowledge organization (KO), including classification, ontologies, and metadata
• Knowledge sharing
• Online communities
• Philosophy of information and information ethics
• Records management
• Social informatics
• Social media mining
• Technology and diversity
• Text encoding and digital editions

Regardless of your specific career interests, you will graduate prepared to work as a professional researcher, teacher, and consultant.

Recent Ph.D. dissertations

Discover what our students are researching. Review a list of ILS Ph.D. dissertations dating back to 1968.

See dissertation list

Review your program requirements

Degree requirements for the Ph.D. in Information Science are listed in the University Graduate School academic bulletin.To review your specific requirements, choose the bulletin that represents the year you started, or plan to start, your Ph.D. program.

2023-24 bulletin

2022–23 bulletin

2021–22 bulletin

Ways to fund your education

ILS offers funding opportunities for incoming Ph.D. students , and current Ph.D. students .

Adjunct teaching opportunities are also available as a form of financial assistance.

If you’re interested in teaching contact your committee chair and the chair of the doctoral committee.

Choose a minor

All Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering doctoral students are required to complete either a minor within the school or an approved minor outside the school. Your minor should relate to your research, as determined by your advisory committee.

See Luddy minors

To learn more about Ph.D. minors outside of the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, visit the websites of IU Bloomington’s 16 degree-granting colleges and schools .

Find other ways to meet the Luddy Graduate Team

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UCLA Graduate Programs

Graduate Program: Library & Information Science

UCLA's Graduate Program in Library & Information Science offers the following degree(s):

Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.)

With questions not answered here or on the program’s site (above), please contact the program directly.

Library & Information Science Graduate Program at UCLA 207 Graduate School of Education and Information Studies Building Box 951520 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1520

Visit the Information Studies Department’s faculty roster

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Visit the registrar's site for the Information Studies Department’s course descriptions

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There are 59 accredited Graduate Schools of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) in the United States and Canada. The ALA Directory offers a list of the programs and different search options, such as region and areas of concentration.

There are two graduate programs for library and information science in Illinois. The school at UIUC includes a distance learning program (LEEP).

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• ALA JobList National librarian job database from the American Library Association.
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• Higher Ed Jobs In the advanced search, choose "Faculty-Science-Library and Information Science" to see librarian positions.

The University of Chicago Graduate Library School was established in 1926. It was the first to offer doctoral degrees in librarianship. The program stopped accepting new students in 1988.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and Library Quarterly were both formerly published out of the University of Chicago Graduate School.

• Guide to the University of Chicago Graduate Library School Records 1928-1979 Finding aid for the records of the Graduate School in the Library's Special Collection Research Center.
• University of Chicago Graduate Library School master of arts papers. by University of Chicago. Graduate Library School Call Number: Mansueto: Z10998.U5 Publication Date: 19 -1990.

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Library and Information Science Ph.D.

The Library and Information Science PhD degree is a post-master's program.

• Major:  Library and Information Science
• Degree:  Doctor of Philosophy
• School/College:  Information and Communications

Program Website

See the program curriculum and learn about admission. 

Ready to apply? Take note of any deadlines and documents required for this degree program.

Fall  Application Deadline:   January 15

Required Documents

• Official Transcripts from all schools attended, must include a bachelor's and master's degree
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Personal Statement

Applications Accepted for These Semesters...

• Fall Semester

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

School of Information & Library Science

The School of Information and Library Science , also known as the iSchool at Carolina, offers an undergraduate major and minor, master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. We are consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top schools by U.S. News & World Report.

Educating information leaders

The school educates innovative and responsible thinkers who will lead the information professions; discover principles and impacts of information; create systems, techniques and policies to advance information processes and services; and advance information creation, access, use, management and stewardship to improve the quality of life for diverse local, national and global communities.

Our students learn the principles for information creation, management and use that will serve them for a lifetime of continued learning. They also acquire the practical knowledge and skills to help them obtain rewarding jobs and develop novel information systems and services.

Our faculty are world-renowned leaders with a variety of expertise and interests that make SILS a transformational leader in digital curation, user experience and interaction systems, health informatics, librarianship of the 21st century and social informatics.

Program Offerings

• Bachelor of Science in Information Science
• Master's degrees (MSIS; MSLS; Biomedical and Health Informatics MPS; Digital Curation and Management MPS)
• Doctoral degrees (Health Informatics; Information and Library Science)
• Manning Hall 216 Lenoir Dr. Chapel Hill 27516

Facts & Figures

• No. 2 Best Library and Information Management Program on the QS World University Rankings (2024)
• Top 10 in all specialty areas ranked by U.S. News & World Report
• No. 2 Best Library and Information Studies Programs by U.S. News and World Report (2021)

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Library Science Degrees » Library Science Programs » Doctorate of Library Science Degrees

Doctorate of Library Science Degrees

A Doctorate of Library Science degree offers an opportunity for advanced research and training beyond a Master’s degree in Library Science . Students can expect to conduct, analyze, and report on relevant research as well as explore subjects pertinent to their chosen specialization. Certain types of librarians are required to have a doctorate, including medical and law librarians.

Leaders in information and library science have to be able to identify significant problems concerning the future of an information society. They carry out challenging studies and draw conclusions from them. Leaders communicate the findings to those stakeholders who will act on them.

Doctorate in Library Science

A doctoral program provides customizable, highly flexible, and intensive preparation for those who hope to specialize in managing a specific type of library like a university or law library. A Ph.D. in Library Science empowers students to learn and analyze user information and preserve, organize, and manage materials and information to make them accessible knowledge sources.

Click to find sponsored online library science programs currently accepting applications for 2024.

Why Consider a Doctorate or PhD in Library Science?

A Ph.D. in Library Science requires degree seekers to become specialized in a data curation, information systems, or librarianship related area of study. The word 'library' in the degree title does not necessarily mean the holder will work in academia or libraries.

A Doctoral degree in Library Science can provide the knowledge and skills needed to become anything from an archivist to an analyst. The careers have competitive salaries and a positive growth outlook. In 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported those with a doctorate earned $43,472 more annually than all other workers. Earning a doctorate is an excellent means of developing expertise in a field and boost potential earnings.

Sponsored Online Library Programs

Are There Online Doctorate of Library Science Programs?

There are several online Doctorate of Library Science programs, but there are more limited options that compared to a Masters in Library Science .

Illinois School of Information Doctoral Programs

The Illinois School of Information has a doctorate program that requires 48 credit hours, along with a research presentation, field exam, and dissertation. Students work closely with advisors to create educational experiences outside and within the school.

They help students prepare for future research careers. Besides taking classes and carrying out research projects, students are expected to participate in school-sponsored events, meet with international visitors, and attend talks. Those requirements cannot be completed online. Doctorate programs from other universities have similar requirements. Students who wish to continue online studies beyond the Master's level may consider enrollment in a doctoral program in Archival Administration , Public Librarianship, Information Management, or similar degrees. There are some doctoral degree programs in library science or related areas available.

Emporia State University PhD in Library and Information Management

Emporia State offers four Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Management degree programs. Three have concentrations in Informatics, Information Systems, or Instructional Design. Having a Master's degree is not necessarily required to gain admittance into the online doctoral programs, and undergraduate and graduate work in library science are not required. Applicants have to take an exam to qualify for candidacy. Those without a Master's degree may have to complete added graduate-level courses to satisfy the requirements of the doctoral program.

Walden University Doctor of Information Technology

Walden University offers a Doctor of Information Technology that is designed to enhance technical expertise while developing leadership skills to guide an organization. Experience and knowledge within IT are synthesized through:

• Leadership simulators that delve into issues relevant to Information Technology
• Face-to-face residencies that permit networking with other doctoral students and expert faculty members
• Seminar courses that explore current IT topics such as grid and cloud computing, software engineering, and information security

The Doctorate in Information Technology is offered in two Tracks. Track I is for students with a Master's degree in some technical field. Track II is for those with a Bachelor's degree in a technical field. Entry requirements are a completed online application, official transcripts, and employment history. An enrollment advisor helps candidates gather required materials from the application through the first day of class.

Capella University Doctor of Information Technology

Capella offers a Doctor of Information Technology with specializations in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, General Information Technology, or Project Management. The university reshaped online education to put students in control. They can learn on-demand, manage costs, and leverage their experiences to advance on their own terms.

Typical Coursework for this Degree

A doctoral program is structured to provide students with a general understanding of the field of information and library science as well as expertise in specific research areas. Programs usually take two to five years to complete and consist of the following:

• Required coursework
• 18-hour review
• Research presentation
• Comprehensive examination
• Dissertation, including proposal, dissertation work, and defense

Research principles

Doctoral students customize their education by choosing a specialized research topic on which to focus their studies. Research topics vary in scope and subject matter but are uniquely relevant to the Library Science field. Core research principles are introduced through required coursework, specifically in classes like research design, research methods, and data analytics. Students can expect to conduct at least 36 hours of directed research aside from a dissertation, reading courses, and formal courses.

Top courses

Doctoral students take a broad range of courses that cover a variety of subjects. Some courses examine introductory principles while others explore more specialized topics relevant to the Library Science field. Some doctoral programs require students to take two research methods courses in consecutive semesters as well as up to six hours of statistic coursework. Statistics coursework must include an introduction to inferential and descriptive statistics, computational techniques, and analysis of variance. Students can satisfy this requirement with classes in other departments, such as education, psychology, or sociology. Appropriate courses are chosen with the help of a faculty advisor. All courses taken should be at the graduate level.

18-Hour Review

The review is usually held at the end of a student’s first year. The committee is chaired by the student’s advisor includes all faculty members who taught the student. The student’s mastery of selected subjects and the ability to identify opportunities for research and the means to address problems associated with research are addressed. Students are told of any identified deficiencies and suggested strategies to improve. If deficiencies are severe, the student may be counseled to depart the program.

Year Reviews Each subsequent year, students prepare and present a statement of progress to the associate dean and advisor. The statement includes a reflection on progress, a statement of research interest, a summary of completed coursework, and a list of papers written during the year. Continuing in the program depends on a satisfactory review.

Coursework Completion and Pre-Comprehensive Requirements

Full-time students usually complete all necessary coursework between two and two-and-a-half years. It’s generally considered unsatisfactory if a full-time student isn’t making progress within three years. Part-time students’ progress is based on individual circumstances. However, part-time students are expected to progress at a comparable rate. Before taking the comprehensive exam, doctoral candidates must:

• Complete all required coursework
• Conduct a literature review of a specialized research topic
• Present two papers submitted for publication

Comprehensive Exam

After completing necessary coursework and preliminary research, students assemble a research package for the comprehensive examination. This typically includes an overview of a student’s research interests, a literature review that specifies areas of theory, methodology, and research, and a brief dissertation prospectus. After the examining committee accepts the research package, an oral exam is conducted. The oral exam has the same scope as the research package.

Doctoral Dissertation

Students register for a dissertation by filing out advisory surveys, completing a registration form, and signing a learning contract. After the comprehensive exam has been completed successfully, the student and advisor consult to form a dissertation committee. Students then prepare a dissertation proposal to present to the committee. Typically, a student completes and defends the proposal or makes substantial progress toward that goal within six months. It’s generally considered unsatisfactory if a student hasn’t made progress after a year.

The doctoral dissertation is an original contribution of knowledge that involves identifying and defining a research topic, applying appropriate research methodology, organization, and data analysis to the investigated topic, and interpreting and presenting the research findings. The dissertation defense is a final oral examination and presentation. The dissertation committee that administers the exam typically includes a minimum of one scholar outside the program.

List of the Top Online Doctorate of Library Science Programs

ALA-Accredited Programs

ALA-accredited master's programs can be found at colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. These programs offer degrees with names such as Master of Library Science (MLS), Master of Arts, Master of Librarianship, Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS), and Master of Science. ALA accreditation indicates that the program has undergone an external review and meets the ALA Committee on Accreditation’s Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies .

The Directory, available in two formats, provides information about library and information studies programs that are accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). The ALA Office for Accreditation publishes the Directory annually, and provides the opportunity for programs to update their entries when information changes. This Directory offers summary information only. Please consult the school directly for in-depth information regarding programs, course offerings, distance education programs, admissions, financial aid, and degrees.

• Directory of ALA-accredited programs in a searchable database format
• Directory of ALA-accredited programs in PDF format (clicking this link will download the entire directory, current as of date listed)
• Trended data by program, including student-to-faculty ratios, enrollment, graduation and more (Excel format)

For more information on how to read or interpret this report, contact the Office for Accreditation . For more information about a specific program, contact the school directly.

For a career as a school librarian in a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade setting, a master’s degree with a specialty in school librarianship from an educational unit accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (formerly NCATE) and recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is also appropriate.

• Directory of AASL-recognized master’s programs in school librarianship

See the guidelines for choosing a master's program in library and information studies for help in selecting the master's program that is right for you.

The above directory contains listings for currently accredited programs only.

• Historical List of ALA-Accredited programs for all programs accredited since 1925

The following programs are in Candidacy status seeking ALA accreditation:

• University College London Master of Arts Library and Information Studies (Accreditation decision in June 2024)

Report problems with the directories to [email protected] .

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2023-2024 Graduate Course Catalog > Programs of Study > School of Library and Information Science > Library and Information Science (PhD)

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Through a combination of required and elective courses, independent study, workshops, and guided experiences, the Ph.D. in Library and Information Science prepares students for lifelong activity in research, scholarship, teaching, and service. Students work closely with faculty, academic advisors, and the Committee on Doctoral Studies as they progress through their degree program. Reviews of progress as evidenced by coursework taken, research outputs, teaching and service activities, are conducted annually. The SLIS Ph.D. program is an outstanding program consisting of students who form a cohesive and collaborative cohort, and who are nurtured from the start of their course enrollment through the completion of their dissertation and the degree. 

Our flexible program allows you to take classes fully online, at our Boston campus, or a combination of both. Core courses are offered in synchronous and asynchronous online formats with electives that may be taken either online or face-to-face.

Program Attributes

• The program prepares students to excel in areas of scholarship, teaching, and service.
• Students emerge from the degree program with scholarly publications, teaching experience, and a professional service activity record.
• Simmons has excellent bibliographical and technological resources and can draw on a robust local library and information community.
• There are rich opportunities for synergy between the doctoral students and project led by SLIS faculty. Collaborative research and group work enrich the learning experience and fosters a stimulating intellectual environment. 
• SLIS has an established reputation for producing leaders in professional service at local, national, and international levels. Interaction with the SLIS alumni community (and the New England LIS community) enriches the doctoral student’s research and professional experience.    

Areas of Study

Doctoral studies can be conducted at various intersections of setting, audience, and activity. Some examples of study areas which build on strengths among SLIS faculty include information organization, user and data services, social informatics and social justice, archives and preservation, scholarly communication, information literacy frameworks, information behavior, mis- and dis-information, collaborative learning, usability and user experience research, and more.

Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Simmons SLIS Ph.D. program:

• Demonstrates in-depth familiarity with scholarship in the field of library, archival, and information science;
• Articulates prominent theories in the field of library, archival, and information science;
• Identifies researchable problems and applies relevant research studies, research designs, and methodologies to tasks requiring problem solving and critical thinking;
• Analyzes and presents information, including research proposals and findings, clearly and accurately in a variety of formats;
• Conducts qualitative, quantitative or mixed method research studies by engaging in reflective inquiry, performing data collection and analysis, composing research reports, and producing publications and a dissertation;
• Engages in teaching activities, develops appropriate unit- or course-level student learning outcomes, and plans and implements learning experiences that assist students to achieve those outcomes; and
• Leads service activities for local, national, or international professional associations and communities.  

Admission Requirements

All applicants for admission to the doctoral program must hold a master's degree from an ALA-accredited program in library and information science or a master's degree from a recognized institution in a related area. Applicants are expected to submit a completed application file that includes the following:

• Completed online application
• Non-refundable application fee of $65
• Comprehensive and updated curriculum vitae
• Statement of purpose (1,500-2,000 words)
• Writing sample of prior research work is strongly recommended (not to exceed 20 pages)
• Official transcript(s) of all academic work
• Three professional and/or academic references
• Current (within the last 5 years) results of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)- The Simmons GRE code is 3761, and the Area of Interest code for Library Science is 470 (GRE scores are optional for Fall 2023).     
• Current (within the past 2 years) results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if English is not the native language of the applicant

After all admissions materials have been received, exceptional candidates will be selected for interviews with the Committee of Doctoral Studies and/or program faculty and staff. For further information on the interview process please see the application form. Admissions decisions are based on a composite of all documentation in the application file.

Degree requirements

Students are required to complete 36 credit hours to achieve the Ph.D. degree. Of these 36 credit hours, 15 are devoted to required coursework and three are devoted to the dissertation. The remaining 18 credits are elective courses. Students often take independent study courses for their research projects or research-related courses at the masters' level or at the doctoral level of other disciplines.

One of the following:

Below is a listing of the required courses:

• iSchool Connect

MS in Library and Information Science

Continuously ranked the #1 program of its kind.

You'll stand out in your field because we stand out in ours. Receive an exceptional education from our MSLIS program consistently ranked number one by  U.S. News & World Report . As an iSchool student, you'll be immersed in a rich learning environment that provides a strong academic foundation as well as opportunities to explore your interests through extracurricular and networking activities, internships and other professional field experience, and interaction with expert faculty.

• REQUEST information

Our MSLIS is an important venue for the intellectual and professional conversation that shapes and guides our profession. We are leaders in creating well-trained professionals who support information access and think critically about the values that inform and drive their practice. Maria Bonn, Associate Professor and MSLIS and CAS Program Director

Become a leader in the information professions

A versatile degree, our ALA-accredited* MSLIS gives you the skills to manage, analyze, and preserve information in a variety of careers. Choose from a broad range of course electives or select a pathway, working one-on-one with our advisors to customize a program that supports your professional goals.

Our graduates fill leadership positions in diverse information settings, including public, academic, and school libraries as well as healthcare, business, and science.

• Information Technology Manager
• Children's Librarian
• Rights and Reproductions Coordinator
• Competitive Intelligence Analyst
• Reference Librarian
• Information Architect
• User Experience Designer
• Library Director
• Web Developer

*Continued accreditation status since first approval in 1926

Anna Wiegand (MSLIS '22) is now a cataloger at Illinois Heartland Library System.

Get connected with the iSchool Ambassadors

These dedicated students promote the iSchool's mission and vision. They work with Recruitment & Admissions and Student Affairs, serving as liaisons for prospective and incoming students. They also are valuable resources for sharing the iSchool experience and connecting students who have similar interests.  

• Meet our ambassadors

The iSchool gave me the soft and hard skills I needed to deliver library programs and services to diverse communities in both school and public libraries. I received a well-rounded education that enabled me to transfer those skills across intellectual levels to serve all ages. Tamela Chambers (MSLIS '05), Southwest District Chief for Chicago Public Library

Customize your degree

The MSLIS requires 40 credit hours of coursework and can be completed on campus or online in 18-24 months. After completing only two required courses— Information Organization and Access (IS 505) and Libraries, Information, and Society (IS 510) —you can select classes that match your interests or follow one of our professional pathways:

• Archival and Special Collections
• Data and Asset Management
• Information Organization and Management
• Knowledge Management and Competitive Intelligence
• Research and Information Services
• Youth and School Librarianship
• Learn more about our pathways
• Plan your program
• Explore our course catalog

Having only two required courses meant that I could take an array of classes that interested me and not be limited to a small selection of degree-specific courses. I also loved the flexibility the online Leep program offered for remote students—I could still receive an education from world-renowned professors without having to give up my job or fully relocate. Abigail Deweese, MSLIS student

Earn your degree on campus or online

Our program meets your needs by providing on-campus and online options. Through our popular Leep online learning option , you can engage with peers and faculty in real-time virtual classrooms, giving you access to the same high-quality education no matter where you are in the world. Both on-campus and online students meet faculty, staff, and classmates during an on-campus orientation. And once you are admitted, you have the flexibility to change your learning option if your circumstances change.

Prepare for a bright future . . . wherever you are.

Our high-touch, high-tech Leep online option allows you to fully engage with faculty and other students. You'll have access to all the resources offered by our MSLIS program while tailoring your degree to meet your goals.

No matter where you are, or where you're going, the iSchool help you find your path to success!

• Discover the Leep experience

It was researching the LIS program at Illinois that sold it for me. The program is ranked the best in the nation, and the faculty are amazing. There were so many reasons to earn an MSLIS that I just had to consider it. Richard Byington, dual degree student in the MSLIS program and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies

Get the support you need

Our faculty are nationally recognized, award-winning, innovative teachers and researchers. At the iSchool you'll learn from leaders in the field.

Our experienced advisors will help you develop a program that best meets your career goals. Throughout the program, you'll remain in close contact with your advisor to discuss course options, opportunities for practical experiences, and/or research opportunities. Meetings with advising staff can take place in person, over the phone, online (i.e., Skype), or via email.

• Explore requirements
• View tuition & financial support
• Request more information

Questions? I can help.

Recent News

Get to know Chloe Miller, MSLIS student

Thomas joins the iSchool's HR team

New NSF project to integrate human and machine intelligence to address information integrity

Paper coauthored by Wagner honored by ALISE

Knox to receive ALISE Excellence in Teaching Award

Upcoming events, msim virtual office hours, mslis virtual office hours, intercollegiate transfer (ict) information session, submitting your phd application with confidence.

Request Info

School of library and information science.

The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) is a national leader with top-rated faculty , prestigious alumnae/i, and great  locations  in Boston and SLIS West (Greenfield and Amherst, Massachusetts). 

A powerful opportunity to educate, inform, and serve the communities in which we live.

Our students can complete the Master's of Library and Information Science degree entirely online. Our Archives Management, Cultural Heritage Informatics, Information Science and Technology, and Libraries and Librarianship concentrations are offered entirely online, or in blended online and face-to-face format. The School Library Teacher concentration is offered at our Boston or SLIS West location face-to-face.

Ranked among the best

Simmons University is one of U.S. News and World Report’s top ranking schools of library and information science in the nation.

• The Master's in Library and Information Science is ranked 11th in the nation.
• Our Archives Management concentration is ranked 1st among Archives & Preservation programs.
• SLIS was also ranked 7th for Services for Children and Youth programs.
• Our School Library Teacher concentration ranked 9th among School Library Media programs.
• Our Cultural Heritage Informatics concentration ranked 13th among Digital Librarianship programs.

In the School of Library and Information Science, you'll have direct and frequent access to faculty who pride themselves on being personal mentors. You'll work closely with classmates in an engaging, supportive classroom environment, be it face-to-face or through our innovative online programs.

Our school is big in many ways — a national leader with top-rated faculty, prestigious alumni, and great locations in Boston, Greenfield, and Amherst, Massachusetts, as well as programs offered online.

Learn More about SLIS

For more than 100 years, our graduates have been pioneers in their profession, recognized for their amazing achievements and remarkable careers, throughout New England, across the country, and around the world.

Our alums are innovators, challengers of the status quo, and champions of the right to information. Our alumnae/i are our most powerful ambassadors in the world of Library and Information Science.

Programs Offered

Undergraduate.

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Library and Information Science in the News

Simmons University’s School of Library and Information Science Welcomes Three New Faculty Members

Simmons University’s School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) welcomes three new faculty members this Fall, with expertise in archives management, school librarianship, and public librarianship for children and teens. “We welcome these three new faculty to SLIS,” says SLIS...

• University Leadership and Structure

Simmons University Brings Graduate Program to Greenfield Community College

Simmons University School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) has relocated the SLIS West program — a part-time master of science in Library and Information Science degree program in Western Massachusetts — from Mount Holyoke College to the campus of Greenfield Community College (GCC), as of Fall 2024.

• Simmons in the News

SLIS Adjunct Interviewed in The Atlantic as a “prominent medievalist”

School of Library and Information Science Adjunct Lisa Fagin Davis was interviewed in The Atlantic for her work interpreting the 500-year-old Voynich Manuscript.

SLIS Professor Wins LIS Education Award

Professor and Associate Dean of SLIS Laura Saunders has been selected the 2024 Winner of the Award for Professional Contribution to Library and Information Science Education granted annually by the Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE).

• Awards and Honors

SLIS Student and Alumni Win Law Library Internship

School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) alum Mary Hogan l’85MS and SLIS student Hannah Gershone have been selected for the Summer 2024 Creative Digital Projects Internship at the Law Library of Congress.

SLIS Student Receives Scholarship from the Society of American Archivists

Sage Loyema Innerarity ’25MS is the 2024 recipient of the Mosaic Scholarship, offered by the Society of American Archivists (SAA) and awarded to promising students in the Archives field who demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity within the profession.

SLIS Professor Shares How Public Libraries Support Community Discussion

Professor Laura Saunders was quoted in the Singapore edition of The Straits Times, sharing how public libraries in the U.S. are assisting in building community during politically polarizing times.

• Social Justice & Advocacy

SLIS Professor to Receive Information Science and Technology Service Award

The Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) recently announced that Simmons Library and Information Science Professor Naresh Agarwal is the recipient of the 2024 Watson Davis Award for Service. This award “recognizes an individual member of the Association who...

Additional Information

Student placement.

SLIS distributes the  Library Journal 's "Placements and Salaries" Survey to graduates of the LIS master's of science program on a rolling basis as each class — January, May, and August — completes the program.

On average, 89% of students entering the MS (LIS) degree program between AY 2014 and AY 2021 continued their programs of study after their first year at SLIS.

Assessment & Accreditation

The Simmons School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) is proud to have a degree in Library and Information Science accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).

Upcoming School of Library and Information Science Events

Info session: library and information science.

• Oct 5, 2024
• 300 Fenway Boston, MA 02115 United States

Future-Ready Libraries: A Glimpse into 2035

• Oct 7, 2024
• C-503 and Zoom

The Future of Libraries: A Panel of Perspectives

• Oct 10, 2024

The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) is a national leader with top-rated faculty, prestigious alumnae/i, and great locations in Boston and SLIS West (Greenfield, MA and Amherst, MA).

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• Management and Academic Building, C-320

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School of Information and Library Sciences celebrates 50-year partnership with the EPA

Manning Hall is photographed on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

In 1974 , UNC entered into a contract with the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency , promising to staff their operations after a government hiring freeze . This year, the program is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Gary Marchionini , former dean of the UNC School of Information and Library Sciences and current Cary C. Boshamer distinguished professor, said the partnership was formed from a five-year contract, which SILS has successfully bid on and won 10 times — the entire span of the program's existence.

The contract also supports an internship between the EPA’s Research Triangle Park Library and  multiple graduate students at SILS, usually consisting of 8-12 students.

Although SILS continues to win the EPA contract, it is not without careful preparation. SILS prepares its bid over the course of a year and is attentive to details of the program’s parameters and the services that must be provided.

“There's no other schools in the country to have a program like this,” Marchionini said . “It's actually, I think, one of the reasons we were always in the top one, two or three rankings in the country, in [national SILS programs] because people know that our students are getting this extraordinary training opportunity.”

He said that under the contract, the EPA provides SILS with money to operate and staff the RTP library with five full-time contracted employees along with yearly interns. The last contract provided SILS with about $20-22 million, with $2-3 million going toward staff pay over the five years.

“Most of that money goes for the subscriptions, for the databases and journals that the library buys," Marchionini said . "So it's not just the actual human talent."

Interns apply and undergo a virtual interviewing process . If selected, they are contracted for an entire calendar year, beginning in August . 

Current EPA cataloging intern Ashley Cavuto said the ideal schedule is four hours a day, five days a week. However, since the interns are also students, she said it doesn't always line up that way.

Interns work six different rotations  including Interlibrary Loan, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Reference, Advanced Reference, E-Resources and Cataloging . 

Taylor Johnson , library assistant director at the EPA and a UNC  contractor for the EPA, said that the partnership’s mission has remained largely the same over the past 50 years.

“We're still here to connect the researchers with information so that they can spend their time using it instead of trying to track it down, but I think that the technology and the tools in the library and information science world have evolved,” she said . 

Joyce Ogburn , an adjunct professor at SILS and a 1981 EPA intern alumna , said she remembered how she used punching cards, monochrome monitors and Wang computers at the EPA library. 

The data used by EPA researchers and SILS interns has evolved alongside their tools. Around 10  years ago , the library staff noticed an increasing demand for researcher’s citation information, also known as bibliometrics, and began to incorporate it into their programs.

“They can demonstrate the impact that their research is having on the scientific community, looking at the reach, the relevance [and] the response,” Johnson said . 

Johnson said the partnership between the University and the EPA provides researchers with personalized assistance and SILS graduate students with the opportunity to work with scientists on projects that impact real-world policies.

“That’s why I chose UNC for my graduate education,” she said . “Because I knew that this internship opportunity would be available to me.”

@dailytarheel | [email protected]

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Requirements

The  The Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs  at UCSD requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission to graduate school. The Biomedical Sciences Admissions Committee looks specifically at an applicant’s cumulative and science GPAs, and at the types of courses taken. Recommended courses include calculus, biochemistry, organic and physical chemistry, biology, and, preferably, cell and molecular biology and mammalian physiology.

As of 2018, applicants are no longer required to submit scores for either the GRE General or Subject Tests. Applicants can optionally submit scores for the GRE General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections) and/or an applicable GRE Subject Test.  If an applicant wishes to take the GRE tests, it is advised to take the GRE in the fall prior to the fall term for which admission is sought. Applicants may self-report scores at the time of application submission. When ordering your GRE score reports, use UCSD's institution code 4836. No department codes are necessary. GRE score reports are typically received electronically within 5-7 business days from the order date. More information about the GRE may be obtained from the  Educational Testing Service  (ETS) website. 

The UCSD Graduate Application fee is $135 ($155 for international applicants). This fee may be waived for applicants who demonstrate financial hardship, US Military service, or who have participated in certain graduate preparatory programs. Please see this page for more information. For international students requesting a fee waiver, please visit this link .

Apply for Fall 2025

Official Graduate Application Opens - September 4, 2024

Official Graduate Application Deadline - November 25, 2024

Interviews and Recruitment (In-Person) Weekends - February 6-9, 2025, and February 27 - March 2, 2025.

  Begin Your Application

More information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program offfice for more information or questions: [email protected].

Statement of Purpose

Focus your Statement of Purpose on the reasons you are interested in attending the UC San Diego Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. The statement has a 1500 word limit and should be well organized, concise, and completely free of grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Include responses to the following as part of your statement:   

• Summarize the long term goals of research in which you participated.
• Describe one research problem, project or area for graduate study that excites you. Have you thought about what you want to accomplish in graduate school and how is UC San Diego a good match for these goals?

Letters of Recommendation

These are of great value in assessing a student’s qualifications for a career in research. It is advantageous to have letters submitted by well-known faculty who can critically evaluate a student’s academic performance, undergraduate research experience, and potential for a career in biomedical sciences.

Research Experience

Undergraduate and/or post-college research experience is considered an important part of a student’s preparation for graduate work. It gives the student the opportunity to experience laboratory work and thus make a knowledgeable decision to pursue a career in basic biomedical sciences.

Official Application

Screening of applications will begin in late November. It is recommended that applicants submit their application well before the deadline to be considered for on-campus interviews. Typical causes of delayed consideration include missing letters of recommendation and transcripts. 

PLEASE NOTE: To expedite the processing of your application, the Biomedical Sciences Admissions Committee requires that you upload PDF versions of your official or unofficial transcripts directly into the UCSD on-line application system. More information on this process is available in the on-line application system.

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[1st-year PhD students] Start of the academic year, activation of doctoral account and creation of e-mail address - important information for newly admitted PhD students | Gdańsk University of Technology

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Date added: 2024-09-26

[1st-year PhD students] Start of the academic year, activation of doctoral account and creation of e-mail address - important information for newly admitted PhD students

Acquisition of PhD student status

In order to obtain the status of a PhD student, receive a PhD student ID card, receive a scholarship and be reported for insurance, it is necessary to approach matriculation (signing the oath deed) and provide additional documents between 24 and 30 September 2024. 1

Note! Candidates who, at the time of applying to Doctoral School, did not have a master's degree are obliged to: 

• submit a certificate of defense of their master's thesis by September 30 ,
• deliver the diploma by October 31 .

Registration of newly admitted PhD students - office closure [24-30.09]

1 For foreigners who may appear at the university at a later date (according to the admissions schedule ), documents will be accepted on an ongoing basis, after earlier notification of arrival and appointment for verification of documents.

Start of the academic year

The academic year 2024/2025 will start on October 1, 2024 . Foreigners are allowed to arrive at Gdańsk University of Technology until November 29 , unless the candidate has applied for a place in a dormitory, in which case the deadline is shortened to October 31 .

Courses for PhD students during the academic year 2024/2025

MojaPG portal - activation of doctoral account and creation of e-mail address

MojaPG is a university portal available at moja.pg.edu.pl . The portal has multiple modules (applications) that enable electronic service (among others) for doctoral students, effectively reducing the number of required visits to the School's office.

Candidates admitted to the Doctoral School at Gdańsk University of Technology will be migrated from the e-Recruitment system to the MojaPG portal, from which they will receive a welcome message with their assigned album number and further instructions. The scheduled slot for the migration is September 27, 2024 - October 1 , so please be patient.

Registration on the portal is mandatory, so after receiving the welcome message, please activate your account on moja.pg.edu.pl as soon as possible, providing data corresponding to the data provided during admission, and the assigned album number. Once the account is activated, the PhD student will be assigned a login ( [email protected] ), which is necessary to log in to the MojaPG .

Instructions on how to activate your account on the Moja PG portal

If you experience any problems activating your account, please contact the Gdańsk Tech Helpdesk .

Electronic PhD Student ID Card (ELD)

After logging into the Moja PG for the first time, please verify the accuracy of your personal information and submit an application for the issuance of an electronic PhD student ID card (ELD). 

Those who are continuing their education at Gdańsk University of Technology and who have an ELD issued by Gdańsk Tech do not need to apply for an ELD. They are entitled to the previously issued ELD by Gdańsk Tech.

Note! The Electronic PhD Student ID Card (ELD) will not be transferred to production until the payment due is posted in the system! We encourage you to use ePayments, which are posted immediately.

More information on the Electronic PhD Student ID Card (ELD)

Instructions on how to submit an application for an ELD (in Polish only) 

If you experience any problems with submitting an application for an Electronic PhD Student ID Card (ELD), please contact the Gdańsk Tech Helpdesk .

Doctoral scholarship

Each person admitted to the Doctoral School (except those with a doctoral degree) who has attained doctoral status receives a doctoral scholarship. The maximum duration of the scholarship is 4 years.

Note! In some cases, related to the already obtained doctoral degree or to the employment of a doctoral student, a PhD student may not be entitled to receive a scholarship.

More information about the scholarship

More information about possibilities and effects of the employment of PhD students

Student application in MojaPG

The university's MojaPG portal has a Student application that allows PhD students to, among other things: 

• see they personal data (provided during the admissions process), 
• see the grades they have received for their courses, 
• submit application for a general certificate for PhD student, 
• submit application for a certificate confirming the doctoral scholarship and payment of social insurance contributions, 
• submit application for a Certificate of paying health insurance contributions, 
• submit application for a Certificate confirming admission to the Doctoral School, 
• submit application for a Certificate confirming PhD training period at the Doctoral School, 
• submit application for a Certificate confirming completion of PhD training at the Doctoral School, 
• submit application for a Residence permit / visa certificate. 

Instructions on how to use the Student application

Instructions on how to submit an application for a certificate

Science application in MojaPG

MojaPG also has a Science application, which allows PhD students to keep records of scientific and research work (and others in the scope of achievements, including copyrights for architectural projects, know-how, patents and patent applications). 

Instructions on how to use the Science application (in Polish only)

We also encourage you to follow our website , especially the news tab and our social media profiles ( Facebook and Linkedin ), where we publish the most important information for you.

Guidance on the use of generative artificial intelligence tools at Gdańsk University of Technology in the education process.

The second edition of the phd open event (registration until 06.10), gdańsk tech scientists among the top 2% of the world's most influential people in science, joint opening of the academic year for pomeranian universities, (update 24.09) [candidates] the announcement of the ranking lists of candidates to the doctoral school for ay 2024/2025 – complementary enrolment.