Maryland 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

i sponsored

Click to view more featured accredited online library science programs that are currently taking applications for 2024!

Three institutions in Maryland offer library media degree and school library education that provides certification for teaching licensure. The University of Maryland is the exclusive school with accreditation from the American Library Association (ALA). Towson University and McDaniel College have an emphasis in school library graduate studies recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

Finding Maryland Library Science Degrees

Locations of these universities include Towson, College Park for the University of Maryland, and Westminster for McDaniel College. All three of these communities are within a 40-mile radius to Baltimore, the largest city in the state of Maryland. Over 600,000 residents are in Baltimore, which also serves as a great place for job opportunity.

Are There Online Library Science Degrees in Maryland?

Yes, all three Maryland universities mentioned with graduate-level library science programs are all available online. Courses are distributed in a mostly asynchronous format and students complete coursework on their time. This provides flexibility for individuals to work professionally and study at the same time.

Typical admission documents needed include transcripts proving that the prospective student holds a Bachelor's degree with high academic merit. Any further courses that have been completed at the graduate level should also be listed on the transcript. A resume and personal statement should explain professional work that has already been accomplished.

Students often need a desktop or laptop computer with a Windows or Mac operating system to meet technical requirements. These operating systems should use compatible web browsers for the learning management system, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. High-speed internet access is often needed to access large lecture videos and projects.

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

Consider a Sponsored Online Library Program Taking Applications

In Depth Review of Top Maryland Library Science Degree Programs

University of Maryland's Master of Library and Information Science

The College of Information Studies features a Master's degree in library science. This program may be 100 percent completed online and in just one and a half years or on a part-time basis. Some specializations and elective courses may not be available in both online and on-campus formats.

All coursework is distributed asynchronously, allowing for students to work while they study. Application requirements for this program requires an updated resume and three letters of recommendation. Submitted transcripts should show completion of at least a Bachelor's degree.

Towson University's Master of Science in Instructional Technology

There are three different concentrations to consider for the Instructional Technology discipline, including School Library Media. This is available online or on-campus with hybrid options for both formats. The School Library Media concentration is also available as a standalone graduate certification.

Pursuing this program blends technology skills and integrates it into a library setting. 36 total credit hours are needed and there is an option for a thesis or non-thesis pathway. Students not completing a thesis instead pursue a research project within instructional technology.

McDaniel College's Master of Science in School Librarianship

The Department of Graduate and Professional Studies offers a Master of Science in School Librarianship. 37 total credit hours are needed for the fully online program. Course topics include literature for varying age groups in school, information literacy, and administration procedures.

Students must complete the program while maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA. An e-portfolio should demonstrate competency in a variety of areas within school librarianship. At least a 99-clock hour internship is also needed in a school library setting.

Options for campus based learning

• Notre Dame of Maryland University is in Baltimore. It is a private institution on a 60-acre campus in a suburban setting.
• Towson University is less than ten miles from downtown Baltimore. The campus is 329 acres in size. It setting is suburban.
• The University of Maryland is also in Baltimore. Baltimore is a mix of big-city amenities and small-town charm. It is celebrated for its storied place in American history, culture and quirky arts, unique and diverse theaters, museums, and neighborhoods, sports teams, tourist attractions, and much more.
• The University of Maryland College Park is a match for those who want to be near the city, but not too close. It is the largest university in Maryland.

A note on ALA accreditation

Having designation from the ALA or AASL means that the program has met criteria that fully prepares individuals for a job in library and media collections. In some cases, a job requires candidates to hold a degree accredited by the ALA. Applicants for school librarianship must have a Bachelor's or Master's degree and pass the Praxis I or II exam depending on teaching experience.

Maryland Career Options in Library Media

Like many other states across the East Coast of the United States, Maryland has large employment for librarians and media collections specialists. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 3,080 workers are identified in this category. Some of this employment spills into the state from the Washington DC and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.

Maryland State Library

There are over 24 public library systems part of the Maryland State Library agency. This agency was established in 1935 and also manages a specialty library for blind and physically-handicapped patrons. The Deaf Culture Digital Library offers additional services and assistance while expanding on deaf culture information.

Some public library jobs require individuals to hold an accredited Master’s degree in librarianship and information studies. Renewal requires six credit hours at an accredited institution. All teaching certification is evaluated and distributed by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Maryland Association of Public Library Administration (MAPLA)

The MAPLA is an organization that brings together administrative professionals in the library field to improve services in public library locations. Their goal is to improve the community and showcase benefits that the library holds in a particular neighborhood or city. Various meetings are organized by the MAPLA in physical and digital locations.

Being a member of the community also offers connections to other organizations, such as the Maryland Library Association. There is access to reviewing prior meetings and documentation that is submitted to the organization. Topics discussed includes how to manage collections in a digital format, leadership training, and specialty topics.

Salary Estimates in Maryland

Similar to other states in the area, Maryland offers some the highest salaries for librarians across the United States. The annual mean wage for professionals as of May 2020 estimates by BLS are $77,950. This jumps up to well over $116,000 for those that work in the top 10 percent of professionals in the library field.

These high salaries are generally reserved for established positions near the Washington DC area. This includes many government positions, but also some private specialty library positions. Institutions and facilities that often have job opportunities include the Hartford County Public Library and Johns Hopkins University. Positions may feature library associates, circulation managers, and library media specialists.

Careers, Top Employers, Salary Information

Recent job postings for Library Science degree holders in Maryland

• Digital Publishing/Technical Content Specialist for Computercraft – no salary listed
• Library Science/Media for Baltimore County Public Schools – no salary listed
• Information Management Specialist for National Security Agency – salary ranges from $48,670 to $77,396 per year
• Data and Visualization Librarian for Johns Hopkins University – salary ranges from $59,280 to $81,435 per year
• Librarian for US Department of Homeland Security – salary ranges from $86,335 to $112,240 per year
• Civic Engagement Librarian for Loyola University Chicago – no salary listed
• eResources Librarian for the University of Maryland Baltimore County – minimum salary $65,000 per year
• Research and Instruction Librarian for St. Mary’s College of Maryland – salary in the low $50s, dependent on experience and qualifications
• Geo-spatial Data, GIS, and Maps Librarian for Johns Hopkins University – salary ranges from $59,280 to $81,435 per year
• Data Entry Technical Librarian for Resource Management, Inc. – salary not listed
• Bathymetric Data Intern (IOCM) for Earth Resources Technology, Inc. – salary not listed
• Administrative Librarian for the US Department of Veteran Affairs – salary ranges from $72,030 to $93,638 per year