School Program More Info
Syracuse University Online MS in Library and Information Science
ALA Accredited ALA-accredited. Multiple professional pathways or specializations available. No GRE required to apply. Complete in as little as 18 months.
University of Denver Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
ALA Accredited ALA-Accredited, No GRE Required. Complete in as few as 21 months.
St. John's University Online M.S. in Library and Information Science
ALA Accredited ALA Accredited, 24 months to complete. 4 specializations and 2 certificate options.
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Click to view more featured accredited online library science programs that are currently taking applications for 2024!

Five Master's degrees are available in library science across the state of Texas. Institutions providing these programs can be found in the cities of Austin, Denton, Houston, and Huntsville. The largest city by population is Houston with over 2.3 million people. There are three universities in Texas that have an ALA accredited Masters in Library Science degree.

Are There Online Library Science Degrees?

Yes, four of the five schools highlighted feature graduate programs that are available online. Both the Texas Woman's University and University of North Texas feature 100 percent online studies with ALA accreditation. The ALA-accredited programs have opportunities to fully pursue the Master's degree online.

What to know about studying online

Admission into the Master's degree generally requires a completed Bachelor's degree. Graduates should have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA over their entire studies or in the final 60 credit hours. Other documentation required may include a personal statement, updated resume, and multiple letters of recommendation.

Online programs often feature a mostly asynchronous experience for students. This means lectures and assignments are completed when available to satisfy various schedules for individuals. In many cases, there are still specific assignment deadlines to keep pace with other students in a cohort.

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

University Degree Program Accreditation Format

Sam Houston State University

School Librarian, Master's CAEP Campus

Texas Woman's University

PhD in Library Science Campus

Texas Woman's University

PhD in Library Science Online

Texas Woman's University

Graduate Certificate ALA Campus

Texas Woman's University

Online Masters in Library Science ALA Online

Texas Woman's University

Online Masters in Library Science ALA Online

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Master's in School Library and Information Science CAEP Campus

University of North Texas

Bachelors in Library Science Campus

University of North Texas

PhD in Library Science Campus

University of North Texas

Graduate Certificate ALA Campus

University of Texas at Austin

PhD in Library Science Campus

University of Texas at Austin

Dual Degree ALA Campus

University of Texas at Austin

Graduate Certificate ALA Campus

Consider a Sponsored Online Library Program Taking Applications

School Level Program
Syracuse University
Website
Master Online MS in Library and Information Science
ALA-accredited. No GRE required to apply. School Media Specialization available.
University of Denver
Website
Master Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
ALA-Accredited, No GRE Required.
St. John's University
Website
Master Online M.S. in Library and Information Science
ALA Accredited. Complete in as little as 2 years.
University of West Alabama
Website
Master Online Master of Education in Library Media
Develop knowledge and skills in school library media with our online library media specialist degree.
University of West Alabama
Website
Doctorate Online Ed.D. Rural Education: Library Media
Explore the essential role of library media within rural schools and districts.
i sponsored

Campus Based Texas Library Science Degrees

The city of Denton has two different programs at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University. Both of these institutions have online opportunities and hold accreditation from the American Library Association (ALA). Denton is significantly smaller in population size by comparison to Austin and Houston with approximately 148,000 residents.

Programs with accreditation validate the library science curriculum and prepares individuals for state licensure. The ALA is one of the most recognized organizations and has given accreditation to universities in over half of the United States. An alternative organization is the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), which recognizes the programs offered at Sam Houston State and the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

In depth review of Texas Library Science degree programs

University of Texas-Austin Masters in Information Studies

The School of Information offers the Master of Science in Information Studies. This is an interdisciplinary degree that features library science and technology electives. The only required course, Perspectives on Information, must be completed with a B or higher in the first semester.

Specialty areas include research and design in the user experience, information organization and retrieval, and curation and preservation of literary material. A culminating capstone project may be thesis, report, professional practicum, or school library practicum. No more than 15 credit hours may be pursued in one fall or spring semester, or 8 credit hours in the summer term.

Sam Houston State University Master of Library Science

There is an online and on-campus version of the Master of Library Science degree. Both formats require 36 total credit hours and enrollment availability is in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students who reside in the state of Texas may also consider the online-exclusive School Librarian Certification.

Course topics feature literature content for specific age groups, collection organization and development, and automated library services. An additional three-credit hour elective is needed within the Library Science for School Librarians category. The library internship is a requirement for the Master's degree and certification process.

Texas Woman's University's Master of Library Sciences

The Master of Library Science degree offers multiple program tracks for individuals to focus their education. Tracks include working in academia, public, school, or specialty library settings. Specialty could feature technology, medical and health, or technical needs in the facility.

36 total credit hours are needed with all courses averaging out to a B grade or higher. No courses with a C or lower are accepted. Specific admission requirements include two-page personal statement and three professional letters of recommendation. Applicants that have a 3.0 GPA or higher do not need to submit GRE or GMAT test scores.

University of North Texas MS in Library Science

The Master of Science in Library Science is available online and in various states across the country for remote learning. Online education features five different concentrations, including archival studies, information organization, or a specific librarianship. Students may also consider a general overview of the discipline to further customize their study.

12 total courses often feature 3 credit hours, which results in 36 total credit hours needed for graduation. General education requires a course in content management and analysis, information technology, administration, and information retrieval and organization. It is possible to waive the internship requirement if the student already holds proper professional experience.

University of Houston-Clear Lake Masters in School Library and Information Science

33 total credit hours are needed for the Master of Science in School Library and Information Science. Education blends literature, teaching skills, and technology into one curriculum. This program can be completed in as little as 18 months with full-time study across the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

One credit hour is needed in a professional preparation seminar. To gain entry into this course, students must complete the state assessment prior to the final semester. Three credit hours are reserved for an internship or practicum that is completed at the end of the program.

Recapping the options for campus based learning

  • Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, Texas. It is centered in the downtown area of Huntsville. Huntsville has a cultural district and historical architecture.
  • Texas Women’s University has campuses in Denton, Houston, and Dallas. Denton has everything one would want a college town to be – beautiful, safe, and the conveniences of home.
  • The University of Houston – Clear Lake is located in the Houston area in Pasadena, Texas. It is a small institution. Most students who attend are from Texas.
  • The University of North Texas is also in Denton, Texas. It has a vibrant city atmosphere.

Organization to Know: the Texas Library Association

A popular resource to consider is the Texas Library Association (TLA). This is one of the largest library associations in the United States with over 6,000 members. Organizational values that reach its members include improving standards set in libraries, ethical responsibility, and intellectual freedom.

Many benefits exist when becoming a member of the association. Stipends are available when attending annual conferences across the country. These large conferences provide new innovative features and networking opportunities that enhance prior education. Other benefits include free webinars to specialty topics, continuing education, and participation in various advocacy efforts and policy promotion.

Individuals can also build on skills such as conflict management, team chemistry, and strategic planning with the TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute. This is available to those that are or are not pursuing a Master’s degree in library studies. Members contribute individually and education is not distributed in a traditional classroom setting.

Career Options in Library Media in Texas

Texas has a number of cities that provide many library and media specialist positions for career seekers. In addition to the capital city of Dallas, there are various public branches and school-based libraries in the cities of Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.

Public and School Libraries

The Dallas Public Library system has 29 different branches across the city the satisfy many districts and suburban areas within. Universities that students are studying at may provide employment opportunities at their own school library for resource enhancement and technological innovation. Internships are either recommended or required in graduate education.

The state of Texas requires certification to become a school librarian. In addition to completing a Master’s degree, individuals should have a few years of experience in the education system. They must also pass the state-distributed TExES (Texas Examination of Educator Standards) School Librarianship exam.

Librarian Salary Estimates in Texas

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarians and media collections specialists are represented well in the state of Texas. Overall, over 9,600 positions are recognized across the state and both the Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas have large employment estimates. Combined, they contribute to half of the librarian employment.

The annual mean wage throughout the state of Texas is estimated at $61,110 as of May 2019. This is just over the country-wide average and one of the largest estimates among southwestern states. The state of Colorado has a similar average that is near Texas, but lower averages are in the surrounding states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

Both of the large metropolitan areas of Dallas and Houston have salary averages around $64,000 annually. When looking at the state overall, the lowest 10 percent of librarian employment can dip to $42,290 annually. The highest top 10 percent of earners is estimated at $81,430.

Careers, Top Employers, Salary Information

Recent job postings for Library of Science degree holders in Texas

  • Librarian I (Reference and Instruction) for Prairie View A&M University
  • Reference Librarian for Del Mar College
  • District Librarian for China Spring Independent School District
  • Library Associate II for Texas A&M University – salary commensurate with experience and education
  • Librarian, Cataloging and Metadata for University of Houston – Clear Lake – no salary listed
  • Library Cataloger & Metadata Librarian for Lamar University
  • Medical Informatics Librarian for the University of the Incarnate Word – salary ranges from $53,000 to $60,000 per year
  • Library Specialist II – Technical Services for University of Texas of the Permian Basin – salary ranges $31,408 to $57,198 per year
  • Library Assistant IV for Texas State University – salary $3750 per month
  • Young Adult Librarian for Harris County
  • Access Services Librarian for the University of Texas of the Permian Basin – salary $60 per hour