Georgia Library Science Degrees

School	Program	More Info
Syracuse University	Online MS in Library and Information Science ALA-accredited. Multiple professional pathways or specializations available. No GRE required to apply. Complete in as little as 18 months.	Website
University of Denver	Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) ALA-Accredited, No GRE Required. Complete in as few as 21 months.	Website
St. John's University	Online M.S. in Library and Information Science ALA Accredited, 24 months to complete. 4 specializations and 2 certificate options.	Website

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There are two schools with ALA-accredited library science programs in Georgia. Georgia College and State University and Valdosta State University both offer graduate level degree programs.

Are There Online Library Science Degrees in Georgia?

Yes, both previously mentioned universities feature ALA accreditation and a fully online program. Valdosta State University offers a Master's degree in its own discipline of library science and information. The Georgia College has a specialization in library media through the Master of Education.

To get access to these graduate programs, individuals should already hold a Bachelor's degree in a similar field. Between a 2.75 to 3.0 cumulative GPA is needed for consideration and around two years of professional experience. Some programs, such as the Georgia College and State University Library Media Specialist degree, requires a writing assessment and two recommendation letters.

Finding campus based library science programs in Georgia

Some of the top cities in Georgia that provide librarian and media collection jobs include Savannah, Columbus, Augusta, and the state capital of Atlanta. The city of Valdosta holds the 16th-highest population in the state with over 56,000 residents. Over 488,000 people live in Atlanta and is the largest city in Georgia.

Atlanta features dozens of colleges for library positions, but none have ALA accreditation at this time. Popular institutions in the city include Georgia Tech University and Georgia State University. Milledgeville is approximately 98 miles east and south of Atlanta.

For ALA accredited library science degrees at Georgia colleges, Georgia State College and University offers a Master's: Library Media Specialist degree. Valdosta State University offers a Master's: Instructional Technology/School Library Media Specialist and a Dual Degree. All programs are offered on-campus only.

List of the best campus-based and online CAEP, AASL, or ALA-Accredited library science degree programs in Georgia

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In Depth Review of Georgia Master of Library Science Degrees

Two colleges offer graduate-level library science education in the state of Georgia with accreditation. These institutions are Valdosta State University and Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. Both of these schools have been verified by the American Library Association (ALA).

Valdosta State University's Master of Library and Information Studies

The Dewar College of Education and Human Services offers a Master's degree in Library and Information Studies. This program is primarily offered online and requires 39 total credit hours. Students have the freedom to continue working while completing studies on their free time.

This is a non-thesis program that concludes with a capstone project. All students must finish with a 3.0 GPA or higher and no grades below C are accepted. Pathways to complete this education include management, archiving, and technology.

Georgia College and State University's Master of Education in Library Media

36 total credit hours are needed for the Library Media specialization within the Master of Education. Main course topics include school improvement and technological operation and advancement in media centers. An internship is completed with a focus on young adult or children's literature.

Substitutions may be available for certain courses in the curriculum, but must be approved by an academic advisor. All coursework must be completed within six years of the admission date. A C grade or higher is needed for all courses in order to graduate from the program.

Georgia Career Options in Library Media

Georgia is one of the top states for librarian and media collection positions in the Southeast. While lower than North Carolina and Florida, it is higher than a number of surrounding states. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 3,400 positions are accounted for in the librarian field.

Some of the largest institutions in the state include the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Georgia Southern University. The Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS), founded in 1996, offers various positions and continues to push digital solutions for collecting and cataloging materials.

One of the services offered through the GPLS is Georgia Library Learning Online (GALILEO). This offers an extensive database of e-books, business materials, and government documents. The digitization of historical documents and newspapers are available through the Digital Library of Georgia.

Librarian State Licensure

Public libraries require state licensure for their facilities in cities with a population of 5,000 or higher. This is distributed by the Georgia State Board of the Certification of Librarians. Certification requires the completion of a Master’s degree in library science that features accreditation.

Holding accreditation means the program has been verified by the ALA or regional organization. Renewal is needed for the licensure every two years and requires at least 10 credit hours of continuing education. Continuing education must be sponsored by the GPLS.

Georgia Library Association

When looking for additional educational resources or job listings, individuals should consider the Georgia Library Association (GLA). Established in 1897, this organization looks to expand library potential and improve services. Over 800 members are currently active in the community, including promoters and students along with other librarians.

Benefits for members feature getting a quarterly journal and consistent updates on the latest innovations in libraries. The annual conference in October allows professionals to connect and develop new relationships at various government levels and industries. Two scholarships are distributed to top students pursuing a Master’s degree in library science.

Top Georgia Library Associations:

• Georgia Library Association
• Georgia Library Media Association

Librarian Salary Estimates in Georgia

The annual mean wage across the state of Georgia is approximately $61,750 as of May 2019. This is similar to many other states in the region and falls around the national average. The top 10 percent of earners in the state make an estimated $87,300 annually.

Atlanta, which offers many librarian opportunities and accounts for half of the recognized positions, averages around $3,000 more than the state average estimate. Other locations in the state of Georgia that are higher than the state average are the metropolitan areas of Brunswick, Columbus, and Warner Robins. Brunswick is the lone area with high salaries that are completely outside of the Atlanta area.

Careers, Top Employers, Salary Information

Recent job postings for Library of Science degree holders in Georgia

• Elementary School Librarian for Southern Teachers
• University Librarian for Savannah State University
• Librarian for GEO Group Inc.
• Digital Archivist for Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
• Research & Training Librarian for Fisher & Phillips LLP/li>
• Technical Order Librarian 2 for CDO Technologies Inc.
• Business Librarian for Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library – salary with experience
• Law Librarian for Research Services fro Emory – salary based on experience, qualifications, and education
• Library Technician for GEO Corrections & Detentions – salary $13.25 per hour
• Librarian Serials & Electronic Resources/Reference/Instructor – salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
• High School Librarian for ACS International Schools