While California is a relatively young state from a historical perspective, it’s dedication to history, literature, and information collection and it’s robust state educational system are advanced in many ways compared to its peers. The state of California has led the nation from a digital perspective over the past thirty years, and at the foundation of these technologies is the need to collect, organize, and manage large data sets.

Library Science degrees in California reflect the state’s focus on areas such as information collection and organization and are offered by some of the top institutions in the state, including both USC and UCLA. These ALA-accredited library science programs graduate students that work both in the state’s robust library system and for the many private companies that dominate the state from a technology perspective.

California has everything, whether you love cities, deserts, beaches, libraries, or mountains. Northern California is home to redwood forests, gorgeous Pacific coasts, and alpine lakes. Southern California has the largest cities in California, a booming economy, and, of course, miles of beaches among the 840 miles of breathtaking coastline in California. It’s no surprise that people from all over the world want to relocate to California.

California is a place many look to for furthering their education. Those looking for a library science degree program in California will be pleased to find that Southern California has two master’s programs, and Northern California has a master’s program in library and information science. 

All three universities provide an on-campus option, and two offer an online one. More importantly, all three master’s programs are accredited by the American Library Association. Some universities also offer bachelor’s programs in information science and Ph.D. degree programs in library and information science. To learn more about these programs and if one of them is right for you, keep reading. This article will also go over career opportunities in California for graduates in librarianship. 

ALA-accredited Masters in Library Science and MLIS Programs in California

Three universities in California offer a master’s program in Library and Information Science accredited by the American Library Association. All three universities offer an on-campus degree for MLIS and MLS students. For those looking for an online option, the San Jose State University in Northern California and the University of Southern California offer an online degree option for MLIS and MLS programs.

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at San Jose State University

The MLIS program at San Jose State University is fully online and has been since 2009. So, for those who are looking for an online option, SJSU is a great choice. Additionally, they have a customizable curriculum to meet the needs and interests of MLS students. Also, students must graduate with an internship, and there are about 200 internships for them to choose from. So, no matter what direction a student wants to go in, they have the options to choose their path within the realm of librarianship and information science. 

• ALA-accredited since 1969
• 100% online
• 43 units

How to Apply

Fill out an online application and pay the application fee.  Right after applying, send in an official transcript from your undergraduate program.

No GRE test scores or Statement of Purpose are required. 

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at the University of California – Los Angeles 

Nearly 100% of graduates from UCLA with their MLIS degree, obtain a position in the library and information science field within the first six months after graduating. Also, they are one of the few MLIS programs with face-to-face coarse work on campus today partly because they require an internship and either a thesis or portfolio before graduating. 

• In-person classes
• ALA-accredited
• 40 unit course
• Capstone required
• Internship required

How to Apply

Applicants need to have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If they do not, then they can submit GRE test scores for consideration. To apply, applicants need to send a statement of purpose, a resume, and three letters of recommendation. Also, applicants need to fill out the online application and pay the application fee.  

Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) at the University of Southern California

The University of Southern California offers an online program in library and information science with a flexible course load. Each student must take a full load during their first semester, but after the first semester, students can enroll in part-time schooling. The university’s coursework was designed to be flexible and online from the beginning of the program. The coursework includes classes in librarianship, information organization, data analysis, technology advances, and business administration. 

• 31 credit hours
• Fully online
• Flexible coursework
• ALA-accredited

How to Apply

Contact the admissions department to find out if you qualify and then apply online. Along with the application, pay the application fee. You may also need to provide documents including transcripts and test scores. 

Online Masters in Library Science Programs in California

For those looking for online MLIS programs in the state of California, there are currently two options. San Jose State offers an online MLIS through their iSchool. The program was first offered in 1982, and has taken its learnings over the past 40 years and translated them into a digital learning format.

The University of Southern California (USC) also offers a Masters of Management in Library and Information Management (MMLIS) fully online. The online version still maintains ALA accreditation, and the program can be completed in 12 months.

None of the MLIS programs in Calfornia require the GRE for entry.

Ph.D. in Library Science Programs in California 

A Ph.D. in library and information science is good to pursue if you are passionate about information research and furthering the field of librarianship. Many doctoral students go on to teach and present their research. 

California is a great place to get a Ph.D. in library and information science because of the numerous research opportunities due to the variety of cultures in California. 

Gateway Ph.D. in Library and Information Science at San Jose State University

The Gateway Ph.D. program for library and information science is a way for students to study online with instructors from the Manchester Metropolitan University through their partnership with San Jose State University. This program provides opportunities for doctoral students to produce their research, and many students have earned major awards because of their research done through the partnership of both universities. In addition to online coursework and individual research, all students and faculty meet yearly for a week-long research workshop. 

How to Apply

The application process comes in three stages and applicants are reviewed by the SJSU School of Information and by Manchester Metropolitan University. The first stage is submitting an online application form, statement of purpose, resume, two letters of recommendation, copies of transcripts, and a 1000-word research proposal. The second stage is interviews with faculty members and possibly more writing samples. Then, the third stage is Manchester Metropolitan University will go over the finalists. 

Bachelors Programs in Information Science in California

California is one of the first states to have a school for librarians and its MLS program was one of the first to become ALA accredited. California is also a leader in librarianship and its public library systems are often used as an example for other library systems. This is one reason California is a great state in which to earn a degree in library and information science. 

Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Data Analytics at San Jose State University

The program for Bachelor of Science in Information at San Jose State University (SJSU) focuses on data analysis through a social lens. Also, students will learn about various technologies used today and rising technologies, and the relationship between culture and technology. Additionally, students will learn how to organize and manage information and materials. 

How to Apply

To qualify you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and you need at least a 2.50 GPA if you are a California resident. However, if you are not a California resident then you will need at least a 3.0 GPA.

If you qualify, submit an online application, pay the application fee, and send in transcripts. ACT and SAT scores are not required for admission. 

Los Angeles Library Science Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

Los Angeles, also known as LA, is the highest-populated city in California. It is located in Southern California on the coast of the Pacific Ocean with 30 miles of public beach access. Additionally, there are hundreds of entertainment options near Hollywood and a myriad of casinos and theatres. 

LA has two of the three ALA-accredited MLIS programs California offers. There is an MMLIS degree program at the University of Southern California and an MLIS degree program at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA).  UCLA requires students to attend in-person classes and has over 200 internship opportunities, making it easy for students to find a career in the area after graduating. The University of Southern California’s MLIS program is entirely online and built to be flexible and customizable for students from all walks of life, 

Career options are numerous in LA because of its large population. They have opportunities for academic librarians, public librarians, special librarians, data analysts, and archivists. Some of LA’s major librarian employers are the Los Angeles Public Library System, Holocaust Museum LA, and UCLA. 

How to Become a Librarian in California?

To become a professional librarian in an academic setting, or in library administration, an MLIS or an MMLIS degree from an ALA-accredited program is required. Some library experience may also be required. However, a bachelor’s degree with library experience is sufficient to become a lower-level librarian for a public library. 

For those pursuing a career in library media for schools, librarians will need a certificate in education with an emphasis on library media. Teaching experience is also required, and many schools require a master’s in library science from an ALA-accredited school as well. All three universities with an MLIS program also provide a certificate with additional courses for students wishing to pursue a library media career. Read here for a more detailed overview on how to become a librarian in California.

What else can you do with a Library Science Degree in California?

For those interested in archives, California has museums in art and history in its large cities including the Holocaust Museum in LA, the California State Museum, and the Museum of Natural History in LA. Also, California has the California State Archives which holds materials and documents from as far back as 1850. The archives’ staff are constantly preserving, organizing, and digitizing documents. 

Other typical jobs librarians receive in California are data analysis, cataloging specialist, collections manager, marketing management, researcher, and research assistant. 

California Library and Information Science Programs

The following list includes all eight of the available library and information science programs in the state of California. This list includes bachelor’s programs, master’s programs (MLIS), doctoral programs, and even graduate certificates that focus on the field of library and information science. The list notes whether the GRE is required for admission into the graduate programs, as well as whether or not the programs are accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).

School Name	City	State	Program Level	Program Name	Modality	Accreditation	Program URL	GRE Required?
San Jose State University	San Jose	California	PhD/Doctoral	PhD in Library Science	Primarily Online	ALA	https://ischool.sjsu.edu/gateway-phd-library-and-information-management	No
San Jose State University	San Jose	California	Masters	Masters in Library Science	Online	ALA	https://ischool.sjsu.edu/master-library-and-information-science	No
San Jose State University	San Jose	California	Bachelors	B.S. in Information Sciene and Data Analytics	Online	ALA	https://ischool.sjsu.edu/bachelor-science-information-science-and-data-analytics	No
San Jose State University	San Jose	California	Post-Master’s Certificate	PM Cert in Library and Information Science	Online	ALA	https://ischool.sjsu.edu/post-masters-certificate	No
University of California – Los Angeles	Los Angeles	California	PhD/Doctoral	PhD in Library Science	Campus	ALA	https://grad.ucla.edu/programs/school-of-education-and-information-studies/information-studies-department/library-and-information-science/	No
University of California – Los Angeles	Los Angeles	California	Graduate Cert	Graduate Cert in Library & Information Science	Campus	ALA	https://seis.ucla.edu/departments-and-degrees/department-of-information-studies/Post-Master-Certificate-Specialization	No
University of California – Los Angeles	Los Angeles	California	Masters	Online Masters in Library Science	Online	ALA	https://seis.ucla.edu/departments-and-degrees/department-of-information-studies/master-of-library-and-information-science	Yes
University of Southern California	Los Angeles	California	Masters	Master of Management in Library and Information Science	Online	ALA	https://online.usc.edu/programs/library-and-information-science/	No

California Library Science Career and Salary Opportunities

There are numerous librarian positions in public libraries, university libraries, and school libraries. The majority of jobs are in big cities like San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Fransico. The average salary is also higher in large cities, but so is the cost of living. 

The median salary in California in librarianship is $80,740 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,

Additional Links

For more information on libraries in California visit https://www.cla-net.org/default.aspx

To learn about Northern California Art Libraries visit https://arlisnanc.blogspot.com/

To learn more about California’s academic libraries and research visit https://carl-acrl.org/

For more information on archiving in California, visit https://calarchivists.org/If you want to know more about librarianship visit https://www.ala.org/aboutala/