Colorado Library Science Degree Programs

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Updated on October 25, 2023
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Colorado is known for its beautiful mountains and winter recreation including snow skiing and snowboarding. Colorado residents and tourists from all over the world come to stay at some of the best ski resorts to enjoy breathtaking scenery and some of the best ski slopes in the country. They also have seven million acres of desert. There are also four National Parks in Colorado; the magnificent Mesa Verda National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Black Cannon of Gunison National Park, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Colorado’s climate is dry with cold and long winters. The summers are also beautiful and stay around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. There are large cities including Denver, and Colorado Springs as well as smaller towns with tons of charm including Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton. 

Colorado also has some of the best colleges and universities in the country. For those looking to pursue a career in librarianship, Colorado has a Master’s degree program at the University of Denver in Library and Information Science. There are other universities that offer certification programs for those pursuing school librarianship in the state of Colorado. Denver and Colorado Springs are great cities in Colorado for finding a career in librarianship as well because of the number of universities and public library systems in the cities. 

To know if a program in Colorado is a good fit for you, keep reading. In this article, we go into depth on the career options available to those with MLIS degrees, or those considering library science as a profession. We also go over career and education options in each of the major cities in Colorado for those looking into librarianship and an MLIS degree. 

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  • Top-Ranked MLIS Program
  • ALA-Accredited
  • Complete in 18 Months

Syracuse University

Master of Science in Library and Information Science Online


Syracuse University offers an online MS in Library and Information Science. The program can be completed in 18 months and includes the option to specialize in School Media. No GRE is required.*

  • ALA-Accredited Program
  • Top Faculty & Support
  • No GRE Required

University of Denver

Master of Library and Information Science Online


University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education offers an online, ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science program. Learn from practitioners and gain the service-based skills needed to connect communities with information in the digital age. No GRE is required.*

  • Become a Literacy Leader
  • Top 10 M.Ed. Program
  • 100% Online

Arizona State University

Master of Arts in Education Online, Literacy Education Concentration


The Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in literacy education will equip you to be a literacy leader in any educational setting.*

  • ALA-Accredited Program
  • 2-Year Program
  • 100% Online

St. Johns University

Online Master of Science in Library and Information Science


Gain the advanced expertise that information specialist positions require with the online M.S. in Library and Information Science program from St. John’s University.*

ALA Accredited Programs Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS) in Colorado

The MLIS programs in Colorado prioritize accreditation because they know what employers are looking for in graduates. An MLIS program that the American Library Association accredits will also be up to date in its curriculum and technology as well as keep teaching standard courses in organization and information. Professors must meet specific qualifications as well. However, for those pursuing a certification in school librarianship, students will also need to follow state guidelines and go through an accredited program by CAEP.

Master of Library and Information Science at the University of Denver

There is one MLIS program in Colorado and it is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Other notable aspects of the program include one on one mentorship from the University’s decorated faculty, students can finish the program in less than 21 months, and they offer a focus on archives and a certificate in school librarianship. Additionally, some of the learning objectives include analyzing and applying new technologies and ways to organize information, communicate professionally with diverse groups of patrons and colleagues, promote intellectual freedom, and improve interactions between the library and information users and data. 

  • Online program 
  • ALA-accredited
  • It can be completed in 21 months
  • Internship required
  • No GRE required

How to apply

To qualify for the MLIS degree program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants must also have either a cumulative 2.5 GPA, or a 2.5 GPA for the last 60 credit semester hours, or 90 credited quarterly hours. Then, apply online, submit transcripts, the application fee, a diversity statement, a statement of purpose or goals, two letters of recommendation, and an updated resume. 

Click here for a full list of ALA accredited MLIS programs.

Colorado Library Science Programs

The following list includes all library and information science programs that are available in the state of Colorado. These five programs include bachelor’s, master’s (MLIS), and PhD in library and information science. You can also review if these programs are ALA-accredited, and whether or not they require the GRE.
School NameCityStateProgram LevelProgram NameAccreditationProgram URLGRE Required?
University of Colorado BoulderBoulderColoradoBachelors to MastersInformation Science Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s (BAM) DegreeNAhttps://www.colorado.edu/cmci/infoscience/bamNo
University of Colorado BoulderBoulderColoradoMastersMS in Information ScienceNAhttps://www.colorado.edu/cmci/infoscience/msNo
University of Colorado BoulderBoulderColoradoPhDPhD in Information ScienceNAhttps://www.colorado.edu/cmci/infoscience/phdNo
University of Colorado DenverDenverColoradoMastersMA in Information and Learning Technologies with Teacher Librarian EndorsementCAEPhttps://education.ucdenver.edu/academics/graduate/learning-design-technology/detail/Teacher-Librarian-EndorsementNo
University of DenverDenverColoradoMastersGraduate CertificateALA https://universitycollege.du.edu/ict/No

How to Become a Librarian in Colorado

Nearly all Colorado library employers require librarians to have a master of library and information science from an ALA-accredited program. Also, school librarian positions require certification of education in library media in the state of Colorado. The certification process for a school librarian involves teaching experience, taking the Praxis, and having a bachelor’s or master’s in education. 

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

There are plenty of other opportunities for MLIS graduates in Colorado outside of academic or public libraries. There are jobs in information technology, archives, information analysis, research, user experience management, and data collection and management. Some potential employers in Colorado include Teletech, Centene, and StarTrek.

For those wanting to become museum curators or archivists, Colorado has multiple employers to work for in that field. The History Colorado Center has a multitude of job positions and internship opportunities. Also, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Center for Colorado’s Women’s History, the Aspen Historical Society, and many other historical museums and archives are in Colorado with opportunities for archivists and museum curators.  

Denver Library Science Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

There are 25 library branches in the Denver Public Library System and they hold over 2,000,000 items. Additionally, they have two bookmobiles and provide other outreach services to communities outside of the libraries. The public library also provides for much of the state’s archiving and preservation. Much of the archived materials are digitized for a more accessible collection for those conducting research through the Colorado Virtual Library. 

In addition to the University of Denver, which has an MLIS program for prospective librarians, there are over 20 more colleges and universities in the city. This means ample positions for academic librarians in Denver. Some other notable universities are the University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Regis University, and the Colorado School of Mines. The Colorado School of Mines is specifically interesting for academic librarians because they are a research college in the subjects of engineering, science, math, economics, social science, and humanities within the STEM program, and energy and the environment. 

If you are interested in archiving, then Denver should be on your list of prospective cities to live in because the National Archives, run by the Federal Government, only has seven permanent locations and one is in Denver. Additionally, students and those thinking about a career in archiving can obtain an internship with the National Archives in Denver. The National Archives also provides opportunities that reach out to all communities to educate and entertain. 

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Top-Ranked MLIS Program
  • ALA-Accredited
  • Complete in 18 Months

Syracuse University

Master of Science in Library and Information Science Online


Syracuse University offers an online MS in Library and Information Science. The program can be completed in 18 months and includes the option to specialize in School Media. No GRE is required.*

  • ALA-Accredited Program
  • Top Faculty & Support
  • No GRE Required

University of Denver

Master of Library and Information Science Online


University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education offers an online, ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science program. Learn from practitioners and gain the service-based skills needed to connect communities with information in the digital age. No GRE is required.*

  • Become a Literacy Leader
  • Top 10 M.Ed. Program
  • 100% Online

Arizona State University

Master of Arts in Education Online, Literacy Education Concentration


The Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in literacy education will equip you to be a literacy leader in any educational setting.*

  • ALA-Accredited Program
  • 2-Year Program
  • 100% Online

St. Johns University

Online Master of Science in Library and Information Science


Gain the advanced expertise that information specialist positions require with the online M.S. in Library and Information Science program from St. John’s University.*

Colorado Springs Library Science Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

Colorado Springs offers an extensive system of public libraries called the Pikes Peak Library District. They have 16 library branches and an extensive online service for the whole area that provides a diverse and comprehensive collection of digital materials. Some other programs and services include maker spaces, book clubs, storytimes, homeschool programs, and programs for teens and preteens. Pikes Peak Library is also a national leader and the second-largest system in the state of Colorado.  They serve a population of over 700,000 thanks to their staff of more than 400 and around 350 volunteers!

The University of Colorado of Colorado Springs is the largest university in Colorado Springs, but there are seven other universities with librarian positions. Another large university is Colorado College which is a private college that was founded in 1874 by Reverand Thomas Nelson Haskell. The college has over 2,000 undergraduate students and offers 42 majors and 33 minors. 

Archivists and museum curators will also find  Colorado Springs to be a great city of opportunity with over 20 different museums and archive locations. The largest museum is the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum which has eleven ongoing exhibits and various programs and education opportunities. They focus on the history of the city of Colorado Springs. 

Fort Collins Library Science Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

Fort Collins is an old historic city in Colorado with rich history and state-of-the-art universities. It is known as a college town and a place for exploring the history and the world of science. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is for all ages and spans all subjects from history to science. They have programs and exhibits in astronomy, aviation, and STEM. They are run by public and private groups that combine history and Science. Fort Collins also has 14 other museums and archives. 

There are six colleges and universities in Fort Collins including one of the largest universities in the state, Colorado State University. CSU has places to stay, eat, shop, and explore for students, faculty, and visitors. The town and college are great communities for family and friends. And for their students and academic scholars, there are ample resources and historical archives to help in research.

Salary Opportunities in Colorado for Librarians 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for librarians in Colorado is $62,650. With over 2,000 library positions, Colorado is one of the top states in the western half of the U.S. for hiring librarians. Half of the positions are in the cities of Colorado Springs and Denver. Additionally, Fort Collins is highly populated and has plenty of public and academic librarian positions. 

Additional Resources:

For more information about Library Science and a career in librarianship visit ala.org

For more information on libraries and communities in Colorado visit https://cal-webs.org/index.php

For more information about living in Colorado visit https://co.colorado.gov/

To learn more about the archives in Colorado visit https://www.archives.gov/nhprc/projects/states-territories/co.html

Library Science Degree Programs in Other States

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