Michigan 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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Click to view more featured accredited online library science programs that are currently taking applications for 2025 and 2026.

There are two schools with ALA-accredited library of science programs in Michigan. They are the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. The University of Michigan offers a Bachelors in Library Science, PhD in Library Science, and a Dual Degree. Wayne State University offers a Dual Degree and Graduate Certificate. All programs for both schools are provided on-campus only.

There are a few Master's degrees available in the state of Michigan for library science education. Wayne State University has the exclusive program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). The University of Michigan provides an information discipline that can implement topics on library science and digital archives.

Are There Online Library Science Degrees in Michigan?

Yes, there are universities in Michigan with online library science programs. Wayne State University offers a program that is both entirely available online and accredited by the ALA. This program satisfies any state licensure requirements set by the state and other needs in different states. Students may complete any of the curriculum pathways or specializations completely online.

Admission into a graduate program that offers a Master's degree requires the completion of a Bachelor's degree. With limited enrollment, applicants should demonstrate high academic competency such as a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Other submissions may include GRE or GMAT standardized test scores, recommendation letters, and/or professional resume.

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

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Campuses with Michigan Library Science Degrees

Detroit is the largest area in the state of Michigan that provides librarian job opportunities. This is also where students can pursue their library studies education at Wayne State University. The city of Detroit has one of the largest populations in the state of Michigan with over 664,000 residents, followed by Grand Rapids.

Master's degree programs that hold accreditation from the ALA have met high standards set by the organization. This includes following missions and goals that the school has set for their graduates. Other standards require diverse faculty members with professional experience, and the administration shows ethical responsibility and student support.

Wayne State University's Master of Library and Information Science

The School of Information Sciences offers the Master of Library and Information Science conveniently online. This curriculum is divided up with 18 credit hours of core content within the discipline. Another 18 credit hours are dedicated toward a specialization chosen by the student, and up to 6 credit hours can be pursued outside of the discipline.

Specializations are available in Library Services, Information Management, and Archives and Digital Content Management. The Information Management concentration emphasizes data-driven solutions may further focus their studies on specific software tools or data analytics. An Archival Administration graduate certification is earned in the latter specialization, which is useful to gain employment in this specialty.

University of Michigan's Master of Science in Information

The School of Information provides a graduate interdisciplinary degree, the Master of Science in Information. Incoming students may customize their curriculum, or dual-degree, in the education needed for a successful career in library science. This university holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

39 of the 48 total quarter credit hours required must be within the School of Information. In the second year of the program, students complete either a mastery course in Librarianship and Archival Practice, or they complete a Master's thesis. All students are required to complete between six to nine credit hours of an approved internship.

Career Options in Library Media

Like many other states in the region where Michigan is located, there are an above-average amount of librarian positions. There are at least 3,850 positions recognized through the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly half of these workers are located in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan area.

The city of Detroit is the largest location in the state of Michigan and offers many positions across public and school libraries. Institutions to consider feature the University of Michigan’s Dearborn or Ann Arbor campus. Michigan State University is another larger college campus with many opportunities in East Lansing.

In recent years, many library services have implemented new technology to offer digital media. This includes improving both the structure and content available in a virtual format. In addition to members using these services on their own devices, libraries are improving public access resources, such as network connections and computers.

Library Certification in Michigan

To become a licensed librarian in the state of Michigan, professionals must have at least a Bachelor of Arts or Science from a regionally accredited school. Alternatively, a Master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program is also accepted. Gaining a Master’s degree provides additional employment opportunities, including leadership and management positions.

Certification is available at different levels depending on education and prior professional history. These levels go in reverse order, as Level 4 requires a high school diploma, completion of an entry-level workshop session, and one year of full-time employment. The top category, Level 1, requires a Master’s degree and four years of full-time employment.

Michigan Library Association

The Michigan Library Association has been established for well over a century and has connected over 1,400 individual members. Over 300 libraries across the state of Michigan are connected to the association. Its main mission is to advance the education and improve resources in all libraries. This includes specialized library and connected government organizations.

Members must adhere to library values with a positive impact in the community and providing free access to information. They must believe in continuous learning throughout their life and be accepting of latest innovations and ideas to improve distribution and policy. The association headquarters are located in Lansing.

Salary Estimates in Michigan

The state average for librarians and media collections specialists are lower than the national mean average. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these salary figures are estimated at $53,310 annually. This is on par with surrounding states including Wisconsin and Ohio.

Among the top 10 percent of earners, salary estimates are at $$79,920 annually. These higher numbers consider various positions in K-12 schools, universities, and local government. Many of the larger salaries are earned in university libraries and management or director positions.

Some of the higher figures are located in the Lansing-East Lansing metropolitan area, averaging at $63,740 annually. By comparison, this is around $10,000 more than in the Detroit area, but there are not as many librarian jobs accounted for.

Recent job postings for Library Science degree holders in Michigan

• Assistant/Associate Professor – Instruction and Outreach Librarian – University Libraries – Tenure Track for Western Michigan University – salary ranges form $57,500 to $65,000 per year
• Librarian I (Librarian-in-Residence) for Wayne State University – salary ranges from $51,000 to $55,000 per year
• Librarian Manager for the State of Michigan – salary ranges from $24.90 to $36.42 per hour

Systems Librarian for Ferris State University – salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

• Library Branch Manager for the City of Grand Rapids, MI – salary ranges from $56,001 to $70,233 per year
• Archivist for Catholic Diocese of Saginaw – no salary listed
• Library Director for the Archdiocese of Detroit – salary ranges from $70,000 to $75,000 per year

Other states that have colleges with library science degrees that are near Michigan include:

• Ohio
• Indiana
• Illinois