Library and Information Science MSI

Major: Library and Information Science
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Information (MSI)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 25.0101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code:
25-4021

About the Program

The Library and Information Science (LIS) graduate major integrates information technology, professional knowledge, and interdisciplinary, experiential learning to prepare our graduates to lead and innovate in libraries, archives, museums, and information organizations. The LIS graduate major in the MSI program is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) since 1924 and is one of the one of the oldest continuously operating LIS graduate programs in North America.

Admission Requirements

The Master of Science in Information accepts applicants who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Please visit the College of Computing & Informatics website for more information on admission requirements.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, visit the College of Computing & Informatics MS in Information Library and Information Science webpage.

Tuition discounts up to 25% may be available (students must apply for discounts before the academic term begins). Other funding might also be available. For more information about funding options for the MSI library and information science program, visit the Scholarships for MSI library and information science students webpage.

Degree Requirements

Foundation Courses
INFO 505Information Professionals and Information Ethics3.0
INFO 508Information Innovation through Design Thinking3.0
or DSRE 620 Design Problem Solving
INFO 590Foundations of Data and Information3.0
Core Courses
INFO 506Users, Services, & Resources3.0
INFO 507Leading and Managing Information Organizations3.0
INFO 591Data and Digital Stewardship3.0
INFO 657Digital Library Technologies3.0
or INFO 552 Introduction to Web Design for Information Organizations
INFO 662Metadata and Resource Description3.0
Elective Courses15.0
Choose 5 courses from any of the following areas, either all from one area or any combination of the courses and areas. Additional options may be approved by advisor:
Archives/Records Management
Introduction to Archives I
Introduction to Archives II
Archival Access Systems
Electronic Records Management
Digital Preservation
Digital Technologies
Data Analytics for Community-Based Data and Service
Introduction to Web Design for Information Organizations
Information Retrieval Systems
Information Visualization
Digital Library Technologies
Information Policy and Ethics
Information Systems
Principles of Cybersecurity
Perspectives on Information Systems
Web Systems & Architecture
Database Management Systems
Information Systems Analysis and Design
Library Services
Library Programming
Public Library Service
Academic Library Service
Cataloging and Classification
Collection Management
US Government Information
Storytelling
Resources for Children
Resources for Young Adults
Issues in Information Literacy
User Experience
Human-Computer Interaction
Accessible and Inclusive Design
Designing with Data
Social and Collaborative Computing
Understanding Users: User Experience Research Methods
Prototyping the User Experience
Human–Artificial Intelligence Interaction
Certificate or Minors
Student may use electives to add a CCI graduate certificate or minor. Please consult your advisors for the option and course requirements.
Capstone Project
INFO 890Capstone Project6.0
Total Credits45.0

Sample Plan of Study

Note: Third Year Winter is less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid will not be disbursed to students this term.

Part-time

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits
INFO 5053.0INFO 5073.0INFO 5913.0
INFO 5903.0INFO 508 or DSRE 6203.0INFO 6623.0
 6 6 6
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits
INFO 5063.0INFO 657 or 5523.0Electives6.0
Elective3.0Elective3.0 
 6 6 6
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCredits 
INFO 8903.0INFO 8903.0 
Elective3.0  
 6 3 
Total Credits 45

Full-time

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
INFO 5053.0INFO 5073.0INFO 5913.0VACATION
INFO 5063.0INFO 508 or DSRE 6203.0INFO 6623.0 
INFO 5903.0INFO 657 or 5523.0Elective3.0 
 9 9 9 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCredits  
INFO 8903.0INFO 8903.0  
Electives6.0Electives6.0  
 9 9  
Total Credits 45

Facilities

3675 Market Street

The College of Computing & Informatics is located at 3675 Market. Occupying three floors in the modern uCity Square building, CCI's home offers state-of-the-art technology in our classrooms, research labs, offices, meeting areas and collaboration spaces. 3675 Market offers Class A laboratory, office, coworking, and convening spaces. Located at the intersection of Market Street and 37th Street, 3675 Market acts as a physical nexus, bridging academic campuses and medical centers to the east and south, the commercial corridors along Market Street and Chestnut Street, and the residential communities to the north and west.

The uCity Square building offers:

  • Speculative lab/office space
  • World-class facilities operated by CIC
  • Café/restaurant on-site
  • Quorum, a two-story, 15K SF convening space and conference center
  • Adjacent to future public square
  • Access to Science Center’s nationally renowned business acceleration and technology commercialization programs

Drexel University Libraries

Drexel University Libraries is a learning enterprise, advancing the University’s academic mission through serving as educators, supporting education and research, collaborating with researchers, and fostering intentional learning outside of the classroom. Drexel University Libraries engages with Drexel communities through three physical locations, including W. W. Hagerty Library, Queen Lane Library, and the Library Learning Terrace, as well as a vibrant online presence which sees, on average, over 8,000 visits per day. In the W.W. Hagerty Library location, College of Computing & Informatics students have access to private study rooms and nearly half a million books, periodicals, DVDs, videos and University Archives. All fields of inquiry are covered, including: library and information science, computer science, software engineering, health informatics, information systems, and computing technology. Resources are available online at library.drexel.edu or in-person at W. W. Hagerty Library.

The Libraries also make available laptop and desktop PC and Mac computers, printers and scanners, spaces for quiet work or group projects and designated 24/7 spaces. Librarians and library staff—including a liaison librarian for computing and informatics—are available for individual research consultations and to answer questions about materials or services.

CCI Commons

Located on the 10th floor of 3675 Market Street, the CCI Commons is an open lab and collaborative work environment for students. It features desktop computers, a wireless/laptop area, free black and white printing, and more collaborative space for its students. Students have access to 3675 Market's fully equipped conference room with 42” displays and videoconferencing capabilities. The CCI Commons provides technical support to students, faculty, and professional staff. In addition, the staff provides audio-visual support for all presentation classrooms within 3675 Market. Use of the CCI Commons is reserved for all students taking CCI courses.

The computers for general use are Microsoft Windows and Macintosh OSX machines with appropriate applications which include the Microsoft Office suite, various database management systems, modeling tools, and statistical analysis software. Library-related resources may be accessed at the CCI Commons and through the W.W. Hagerty Library. The College is a member of the "Azure Dev Tools for Teaching” platform that allows students free access to a wide array of Microsoft software titles and operating systems.

The CCI Commons, student labs, and classrooms have access to networked databases, print and file resources within the College, and the Internet via the University’s network. Email accounts, Internet and BannerWeb access are available through the Office of Information Resources and Technology.

CCI Learning Center

The CCI Learning Center (CLC), located in 3675 Market Street's CCI Commons student computer lab, provides consulting and other learning resources for students taking courses offered by the Computer Science Department. The CLC is staffed by graduate and undergraduate computer science students from the College of Computing & Informatics.

The CLC and CCI Commons serve as a central hub for small group work, student meetings, and TA assistance. 

Research Laboratories

The College houses multiple research labs, led by CCI faculty, in 3675 Market Street including: the Metadata Research Center (MRC), Interactive Systems for Healthcare (IS4H) Research, Economics and Computation (EconCS), The TeX-Base Lab, SPiking And Recurrent SoftwarE (SPARSE) Coding, Human-System Evaluation and Analysis Lab (H-SEAL), Applied Symbolic Computation Laboratory (ASYM), Software Engineering Research Group (SERG), Social Computing Research Group, Vision and Cognition Laboratory (VisCog) and the Vision and Graphics Laboratory. For more information on these laboratories, please visit the College’s research web page.

Evaluations

The College of Computing & Informatics works continually to improve its degree programs. As part of this effort, the Library and Information Science graduate major is evaluated relative to the following learning objectives:

Graduates of the LIS graduate major in the Master of Science in Information (MSI) degree program are prepared to assume leadership positions in designing, executing, and evaluating information services and products and in managing organizations that facilitate access to recorded knowledge. Their preparation enables them to gain the knowledge and abilities required to:

  • Explain the foundational principles, professional ethics and values, and social and technological contexts within which various information professionals work
  • Identify and analyze the information needs of various communities (e.g., academic institutions, local neighborhoods, workplaces, schools) and design and implement library/information programs and services to meet those needs
  • Analyze and apply information policies and information-related laws (including the standards and guidelines of pertinent professional organizations) that advance the creative and ethical applications of information technologies and the delivery of information resources throughout society
  • Foster the core values of the profession (e.g., access, equity, intellectual freedom, privacy, social justice) in all programs and services offered in these communities
  • Encourage the development of information literacy in support of all areas of individuals’ and communities’ needs (e.g., in formal and informal education, career development, healthcare and financial planning, research innovation, political and social engagement, etc.)
  • Lead and manage information agencies, projects, and people through creative and effective approaches to planning, budgeting, policy making, fundraising, communication, and advocacy
  • Use research and data in sophisticated ways to demonstrate the value of the library and to help individuals and communities address community challenges (e.g., poverty and hunger, population shifts, economic development, preservation of cultural heritage, etc.)
  • Help individuals and communities to understand, appraise, organize, manage, and preserve digital assets available through a variety of formal and informal sources and to create and manage their own digital identities and materials effectively
  • Schedule of Classes
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  • Admissions
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