Few fields have transformed as much as librarianship in the past few decades. The stereotype of the older, female librarian shushing noisy patrons no longer holds (if it ever did). Today’s librarians are masters of technology and skilled practitioners who use research and insight to meet the needs of a wide range of patrons—from college professors to preschool children.
To qualify for professional librarian positions, you will need to earn a master’s in library science degree. These degrees may take two years or less of full-time study, and there are many options available for both campus-based and online programs. If you would prefer to avoid taking the GRE, there are options for you to apply for programs that do not require this test for admission.
In this article, we’ll look at how to get into an online master’s in library science program and discuss some of the career options available to you with this degree.
How To Get into a Master’s in Library Science Program without Taking the GRE
Although your chosen program may not require the GRE, there are likely other requirements you will need to meet when you apply for admission. Most schools will ask for some or all of the following items from potential students. Be sure to stick precisely to what your school requests when you apply, and don’t fail to meet any deadlines, which may cost you your place in the class.
- Official academic transcripts from any schools you attended as an undergraduate, with GPA noted
- A personal statement, which may include your rationale for wanting to be a part of the school’s program or may focus on what you hope to accomplish as a professional in the field
- Letters of recommendation from former teachers, mentors, employers, or others who know you well enough to attest to your ability to succeed in graduate-level coursework and be an asset to the profession
- A CV or resume
- Your chosen college’s application form and any required fees
- Test scores—as we’ve already noted, these are not required by some schools, and some MLS programs do not ask for GRE scores
What Can You Do with This Degree?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), librarians work in a range of employment settings. Nearly 50 percent are employed by educational institutions and libraries. Some are in management, and others work in computer and mathematical occupations. Although most work as librarians, they may also assume roles in educational administration, technology, and publishing.
Some of the common jobs a master’s-trained librarian can consider are the following:
Librarian/library media specialist
According to the BLS, librarians and library media specialists help people find information, whether it is for personal or professional use. They may be employed by municipal libraries, governments, elementary and secondary schools, or colleges. Librarians work with books, but they also create and use databases, maintain collections that include videos and audiobooks, and conduct research using both hard-copy sources as well as digital references. The median pay for a librarian is $61,190 per year, although the highest ten percent earned more than $97,870. Employment of librarians and library media specialists is expected to be stable for the next decade, with a six percent increase by 2031. Librarians who work with specialized collections may need additional training. For example, a law firm librarian may have a legal degree or training.
Preschool teacher
Librarians may work in preschools, either as teachers or librarians. Preschool teachers work daily with children, teaching basic skills, planning and carrying out curriculum, and organizing activities that help children learn about the world around them. The need for professionals who work with young children is growing much faster than average, with a 15 percent increase expected over the next decade, according to the BLS. The median pay for preschool teachers is $30,210 annually, although the highest ten percent earn more than $58,530. Although entry into this field requires only an associate’s degree, those with a higher level of education, such as an MLS, may be eligible for a higher pay scale and more leadership opportunities.
Educational administrator
Some librarians may choose to go into educational administration, serving in leadership roles in elementary, middle, and high schools. They may serve as principals or assistant principals or work at a district-wide level. These positions involve managing school activities and staff, developing and implementing curriculum, evaluating teachers and children, and assessing and preparing reports for various stakeholders. The median pay for this type of position is $98,420 annually, with the highest ten percent earning more than $153,520. Generally, these positions are year-round, although students may be off during the summer months. The job outlook for educational administrators is positive, with an expected increased need of five percent over the coming decade, which is about as fast as the average.
Editor
Many librarians are drawn to jobs in the publishing industry, such as editorial work. According to the BLS, editors plan, review, and revise content for publication. They may work for a publishing company; in industry, science, or education; or independently. Editors make a median pay of $63,350 annually, with the top ten percent earning more than $129,420. Most editors work full-time, and they may put in long hours when working under a deadline. There are several types of editors, including copy editors, who proofread text for grammar and spelling errors; managing editors, who work for magazines and newspapers; and executive editors, who oversee assistants and have the final say in publishing texts. Many editors have shifted their focus to online media formats in response to the decrease in traditional print mediums. The overall job outlook for editors is expected to decline by five percent over the coming decade.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online Master’s in Library Science programs (no GRE) in the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of the best online Master’s in Library Science programs (no GRE) to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The 50 Best Online Master’s in Library Science Programs (No GRE)
