Missouri is a beautiful state with plenty of education and job opportunities. The state has two large cities, the largest being Kansas City and the second largest being St. Louis. They also have more shorelines around the Lake of the Ozarks than the coast of California. The lake and surrounding areas provide plenty of recreation opportunities all year, including multiple free activities, a large water park, and the Stark Caverns.  Additionally, the cost of living is the 6th lowest in the country and the unemployment rate is below the national average. 

Missouri’s universities and higher education opportunities are some of the best in the US. US News Reports ranks Washington University in St. Louis as 15th in the nation, and the University of Missouri’s Library and Information Science program is ranked 20th in the nation. Also, due to access to the large cities in Missouri, university students have access to a wealth of research opportunities, internships, and careers post-graduation.  

In this article, we will cover the library science degrees offered in Missouri including a Masters  program accredited by the American Library Association and a Ph.D. program in information science. We cover the highlights of the programs and the admission requirements and how to apply. Additionally, the article will go over how to become a librarian and the expected standards for librarianship, and the opportunities available for librarians and information professionals. 

ALA Accredited Library Schools and Programs in Missouri

There is one Master’s of Library Science program in Missouri and it is Accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). ALA sets the standard for librarianship and information science. They strive for excellence in literacy, information quality, information accessibility, intellectual freedom, and the promotion of literacy. Therefore, they expect library and information science programs to do the same, and to train information professionals to organize, maintain, and retrieve valuable information for their communities. 

Master of Library and Information Science at the University of Missouri

This program is completely online and consists of 39 credit hours. Some courses are flexible and done on the student’s time when it is most convenient, and other courses have a more rigid schedule and an online class time for lessons and class interaction. Students are also encouraged to complete a practicum within the student’s professional preference to gain experience before entering the work field. Additionally, all students will complete an ePortfolio which includes three of the student’s assignments and their reflections on their work and feedback. 

The courses all MLIS students will take, prepare them with an understanding of information organization and library principles and values. Additionally, students may choose from various courses that fit their preferred area of study among information and library science. Students can choose a preferred path or take general classes. They can choose either an E-learning Information Professional Emphasis or an Archival Studies Emphasis. The MLIS program also offers an add-on certificate for school library media for those who already have a Missouri teaching license. For those who want to be a school librarian, but do not have a teaching certificate, they also offer a stand-alone certificate to guide students through the certification process. 

How to apply

The University of Missouri offers a special program to take up to nine credit hours worth of coursework before committing to the program and going through the application. If later excepted into the program, those credits will go towards your degree. To qualify for the program, applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA during any graduate work and the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. To apply, create an online account and fill out an online application. Applicants will also need to pay an application fee and send in a resume, transcripts, essays for response questions, and two letters of recommendation. 

Ph.D. in Library Science Programs in Missouri

A Ph.D. in library science will give students the ability to learn analyze and research current issues and how to solve them using library science and information technology. Our world is increasing in information content that is readily available to the public, but sorting through it all and using it for the betterment of society is the challenge. Additionally, the swift changes in technology change the way communities and individuals find and interact with information. Library science professionals know how to adapt to these changes in order to help their communities thrive, and Ph.D. graduates can guide these professionals through research, teaching, and presentation.

Doctorate in Information Science & Learning Technologies at the University of Missouri

This degree focuses heavily on the use and growth of new technologies and the prediction of future use of technology as it relates to information and learning. Doctoral students will choose an area in which to focus their study. At the start of the program, students will take courses on current research and increase their skills in research and writing. Many students go on to be library administrators, professors, researchers, and many work for large companies including Amazon, Google and Allied Health as experts in user experiance, instructional design, digital curation, and risk assessment. 

How to apply

To qualify, applicants need a 3.5 GPA and take the GRE and score 156 on verbal, 146 on quantitative, and 4.0 on analytical writing. Or, applicants will need to provide other proof of competency for doctoral work. To apply, go online and fill out the online application. Applicants will also need to pay an application fee and submit transcripts, a statement of purpose, three letters of reference, and a resume. 

How to Become a Librarian in Missouri

Librarians in Missouri need a Master in Library Science, even for entry-level positions. However, experience is optional for entry-level positions. The state does not place any of these requirements within the public school system. School librarians need a library media certificate which involves a teacher’s certificate, education experience, and education background in library media in schools. 

What Else Can You Do with a Library Science Degree in Missouri?

The largest group of professionals in Missouri are health care workers, and library and information science professionals can find plenty of work within health care as data analysis, record managers, information technology specialists, and researchers. The largest healthcare group is Ascension Michigan which has its headquarters located in St. Louis. They have 150,000 employees. 

Another one of the largest employers in Missouri is Cerner which is a technology and information company that creates and manages technology for health care and data analytics. Librarians and information professionals can work for them as researchers, consultants, data analysts, information technology specialists, and engineers. Cerner is located in Kansas City and employs 13,000 workers in Missouri. 

If you are an archivist or historian, then Missouri is also a great option for you. They have two major national archives in the state. One is located in St.Louis and the other is in Kansas City. They have positions for researchers, archivists, historians, and offer plenty of volunteer and internship opportunities. 

St. Louis Library Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

St. Louis is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Washington University in St. Louis is ranked among the top schools in the nation. Other good universities in St. Louis include the University of Missouri St. Louis, Harris-Stow State University, and Webster University. Librarians can find rich research opportunities and career positions at these institutions. 

In St. Louis, there are 17 public library branches, and each library has daily activities and programs in addition to its services. They serve 79 communities and staff multiple departments including young adult services, children services, teen services, inter-library loans, outreach, administration, and more. St. Louis is a diverse city with people coming from various cultures and economic backgrounds. This creates a need for a variety of different services and the public library system meets many of those needs.  

Kansas City Library Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

Kansas City has 10 public library locations and a bookmobile. Each location serves its community with services and resources for each age group and economic background and for those disabled. Additionally, there are over 20 colleges in Kansas City including the University of Missouri Kansas City, Rock Hurst University, and Avila University. 

Columbia Library Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

Columbia is the city that provides the only MLIS degree in Missouri and offers a Ph.D. program in information science at the same institution. Because of the education presence in the city, there is a multitude of research and career opportunities in Columbia. Additionally, Columbia has a thriving public library system that consists of 4 large locations and 3 bookmobiles, and a book bike. They offer services including meeting rooms, outreach programs, home deliveries for senior community members and the disabled, computer and wifi accessibility, passport services, youth and teen programs, and so much more. 

Salary Opportunities in Missouri for Librarians

Missouri holds the second largest number of librarian positions in its surrounding states and a higher number of positions than most of the states in the U.S. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarians and school media specialists earn a mean wage of $56,430 annually with the cost of living being lower than the national average. However, the mean wage is over $60,000 annually in large cities. 

Additional Links 

To learn more about library science and the American Library Association visit https://www.ala.org/. 

For current job postings for librarians in Missouri, and for more information about the libraries in the  state, visit https://molib.wildapricot.org/

If you are interested in becoming a school librarian, check out the certification process for the Department of Education.