Massachusetts, part of the Commonwealth, is one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. and is highly ranked by the U.S. News and World Report in education, healthcare, and economy. They are home to the beautiful Cape Cod where residents and visitors can bike, skate, ski, hike, and enjoy horseback riding. They also have beaches, farm attractions, and fishing and hunting opportunities. Additionally, they pride themselves on innovation while preserving and respecting the state and the country’s history and are home to some of the greatest museums and libraries in the world. 

If you are looking for a degree in library and information science, Massachusetts is a great state to go to for a bachelor’s, MLIS degree, and Ph.D. within the library and information fields. One major reason is the number of career opportunities during and after a library science program. These education and career opportunities are also diverse because Massachusetts puts much emphasis on education in STEM and technology as well as history and the preservation of important documents and artifacts. 

To learn more about the career and education opportunities for library and information science degree programs, keep reading. In this article, we go over bachelor programs, master programs, and Ph.D. programs in information science within Massachusetts. We also go into depth into the education and career opportunities in Boston specifically. Additionally, we look at the state as a whole and what Massachusetts has to offer for information scientists and librarians. 

Bachelor Programs in Information Science in Massachusetts

There is a bachelor’s degree program in Massachusetts that students can complete in three years, and in their senior year, earn their master’s in library and information science. This program is offered by Simmons University on its Boston campus. So, not only do students receive a bachelor’s degree in information technology, but they will also earn a master’s, all within four years. To learn more about this program, click the link below or read our synopsis of the program and the application process. 

Computer Science or Information Technology (BS)/Library and Information Science (MS): 3 + 1 Program from Simmons University

This combination of a bachelor’s and a master’s degree will give students the practical and versatile knowledge and skills they need for a wide variety of careers, and prepare them for the modern library and information field. Students have the choice of learning about computer science, or information technology. Both of which go hand-in-hand with librarianship, information organization, and the creation of information technology. Additionally, you will be ready for the professional world after completing an internship in the great Boston area which has a vast list of information, technology, archiving, and library positions to choose from. The best part is, you will accomplish in four years, what takes many library and information specialists six or more years.

• ALA-accredited
• On-campus program with some online class options. 
• BS or BS/MS programs

How to apply

To see if you qualify, call an admissions counselor. Then, apply online and send in your high school transcript, teacher’s recommendation, counselor’s recommendation, and a college essay. 

ALA Accredited Masters in Library Science and MLIS Programs in Massachusetts

In most states, including Massachusetts, to be a professional librarian, you need a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from a program that is accredited by the American Library Association. You can also work in areas of computer science, marketing management, archiving, and information organization.

Simmons University is the perfect place to earn your MLIS degree for any area of librarianship, or information science because they offer diverse courses and internship opportunities. They are also the only library and information science MS program in the state. And they are accredited by ALA. 

Master of Library and Information Science from Simmons University

This program is accredited by the American Library Association and is fully customizable. Students can choose which courses they take and the format. The University offers their M.S. degree online, in person, or through a combination of online and in-person. Students also have a choice of taking classes at the Main location in Boston, or at the SLIS West campus They also offer concentrations in archives management, information science, and technology. Additionally, Simmons University offers a variety of internships, pre-professional experiences, and site visits across Massachusetts and New England. 

Some other interesting facts about Simmons University are that their Archives and Preservation department is ranked number #1 at the top of U.S. News and World Reports Library Science degree programs. Additionally, their graduates are working in top academic libraries including Harvard University libraries, and they are working for great companies including Fortune 500 companies. 

• Online and in-person
• Customizable courses
• ALA-accredited 
• 36-credit hours
• Concentrations in archiving, information science, and technology

How to Apply

To qualify for this program, you need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a 3.0 GPA average on a 4.0 scale. GRE test scores are considered if your GPA is below a 3.0 average. Then apply online and pay the application fee. You will also need to send in a statement of purpose, resume, college transcripts by mail, or email, and three letters of recommendation. An interview may also be required. 

Ph.D. in Library Science Programs in Massachusetts

Simmons University is the only university that offers a Ph.D. in Information and Library Science, but it is an ideal Ph.D. program for library and information scholars because of the research and career opportunities in the Boston area. Read on for more information on this program and the opportunities it offers.

Ph.D. in Library and Information Science at Simmons University

This program can be taken completely online, or online and in-person. Students receive skills to locate, analyze, manage, organize and preserve information in an in-depth study so they can be better resources for anyone who needs any kind of information or materials. Doctoral students will also work closely with world-renowned professors and other graduate students. Simmons University also provides opportunities to learn from professionals in other parts of the country and other parts of the world. 

The program’s main focus is to enrich research and teaching skills for higher education with library and information science. 

How to apply

For admission, you must have an MS in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program. If you do, you can then apply online and pay the application fee. You will also need to submit transcripts, a Statement of Purpose, a writing sample of prior research, three letters of recommendation, and a comprehensive curriculum vitae. 

How to Become a Librarian in Massachusetts

To become a professional librarian in Massachusetts you need your masters from an ALA-accredited program. For a public librarian, you may carry over your licensure from another state without a master’s in library science, but only until the license expires. However, your license will never expire if you have an M.L.I.S. degree or an M.S. in library science. 

To become a school librarian or media specialist, you will need an M.L.I.S degree and be certified by the department of education in Massachusetts. 

Boston Library Science Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

The only master’s program for library science in Massachusetts that is ALA-accredited is offered by Simmons University in Boston Massachusetts, and it is an incredible program. You will learn how to be a librarian in the modern world with modern technologies, and you will have ample opportunities for internships and pre-professional job positions. Then after graduation, you will have a multitude of job opportunities in the Boston area. 

Boston is home to the third-largest public library in the U.S. The whole public library system has 24 library branches with over 24 million volumes in their various collections. They also have multiple business services and materials, including a 3D printer. Additionally, there are world-renowned universities with large academic libraries, like Harvard University, North Eastern University, and Boston University. 

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

There are many innovative companies that need information science professionals in Massachusetts including Boston Scientific. They are health-focused and have a division in their company dedicated to information technology. In a career in their information technology division, you will help create, analyze, and advance technology in health science. 

If your interests are closer to the preservation of information and history, Boston and other parts of Massachusetts offer opportunities for archivists within world-renowned universities like Harvard, and in museums that hold important American history, namely the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. There is also a large children’s museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company Museum, Armory & Library.

Massachusetts State Library Science Career and Salary Opportunities

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, among librarian jobs in academic libraries, public libraries, school libraries, and special libraries, Massachusetts has 4,530 librarian positions and the mean wage for librarians is $73,260 annually. In the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua areas, there are 3,370 librarian positions and all together they have a mean wage of $76,240 annually. 

This makes Massachusetts part of the top ten states who employ professional librarians.

Additional Links

To learn more about Massachusetts visit https://www.mass.gov/

To learn more about the Boston Public Library System visit their website https://www.bpl.org/

For more information about the preservation of history in Massachusetts visit https://www.masshist.org/

For more information about all libraries in Massachusetts visit https://www.masslib.org/

For more information about libraries and library science in the U.S. and Canada visit https://www.ala.org/