Prospective librarians in the southern United States have many options for degree programs, and one of the best available is in South Carolina. While South Carolina doesn’t have many degree programs in the state, it does boast a lot of library facilities. In fiscal year 2017, the state of South Carolina reported having 225 public library facilities and bookmobiles serving its various communities. This number doesn’t include academic libraries or K-12 school libraries also found across the state. To best serve these libraries, prospective librarians can find training and degree programs in the state.

Quick Facts

• Number of ALA-accredited MLIS programs offered in South Carolina: 1
• Number of fully-online MLIS programs: 1
• Number of program pathways, concentrations, and/or specializations for MLIS programs: 17
• Number of MLIS programs that require prospective students to have undergraduate backgrounds in library or information science: 0
• Average yearly tuition cost for a California-based MLIS program: $15k

Library Science Programs in South Carolina

Compared to other states, South Carolina doesn’t boast as many library science programs. Only one South Carolina college – the University of South Carolina – offers a library science program, but fortunately, the program is broad and offers a diverse number of concentrations and pathways for prospective librarians of all kinds.

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) in South Carolina

University of South Carolina (USC)

• Program Name: Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
• Modality: Online
• GRE Required?: No 
• Program Length: Approximately two years
• Tuition: $10,300/year for in-state students; $12,460 for out-of-state students
• Program Overview: USC’s MLIS program is fully accredited by the American Library Association. It is fully online, with the exception of school library in-person practicums and other internships. MLIS students on the General/LIS track take 36 hours of coursework, including 18 hours of required core classes. They tailor the remainder of their classes (18 hours) toward their career interests with the help of professional advisors in our Student Services Office.
• Key Highlights: 
  • This program can be completed on a full or part-time basis, making it ideal for working students.
  • The program also has highly customizable concentrations so students can select a course of study that best supports their career ambitions. Some of these concentrations include law librarianship, music librarianship, information storage and retrieval, records management, digital libraries, library administration, corporate librarianship, and young adult services – just to name a few!
• Additional Considerations: This program offers special pricing for students who are not South Carolina residents who choose to live in-state while completing courses. This opens a mid-tier level of tuition pricing that doesn’t involve a student moving their legal residency to South Carolina while they’re in school.
• Accreditation status: This program is ALA-accredited.

Online Library Science Programs in South Carolina

The University of South Carolina’s MLIS program mentioned above is offered 100% online. The exception to this is for MLIS students studying to become K-12 school librarians – these students will eventually need to complete in-person internships and practicums in real K-12 school campus libraries to meet program and licensure requirements. Other concentrations also require students to complete internships and other onsite experiences in various academic and public libraries.

Bachelor’s in Library Science in South Carolina

University of South Carolina (USC)

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS)
• Modality: In-person
• GRE Required?: Not applicable
• Program Length: Approximately four years
• Tuition: $6,144/year for in-state students; $18,494/year for out-of-state students
• Program Overview: USC’s bachelor of information science program teaches students how to identify and solve problems at the intersection of people and technology. This data-focused degree program teaches the technical skills along with how to apply them effectively within an organization. Graduates leave this program ready to earn a competitive salary in a wide variety of career settings.
• Key Highlights: 
  • Graduates leave the program with marketable skills, such as analysis, implementation, and management. Students in this program get to use cutting edge tools such as the Biometrics and User Experience Lab and the AI-powered Social Media Insights Lab.
• Additional Considerations: While this program isn’t library and information science-specific, it helps create a strong foundation for an eventual MLIS enrollment. Students in the BSIS program at USC complete work that helps prepare them for research, leadership, and project management, all skills that transfer well into the library science field.
• Accreditation status: Not applicable.

PhD and Doctoral Programs in Library Science in South Carolina

University of South Carolina (USC)

• Program Name: PhD in Library and Information Science
• Modality: In-person
• GRE Required?: Not applicable
• Program Length: Approximately three to five years for full time students or six to seven years for part time students
• Tuition: $5,300-$7,100/semster, depending on residency variables
• Program Overview: This research-intensive degree prepares students to tackle real-world problems in the information age, equipping them to become thoughtful leaders, innovators, and scholars in faculty and administrative roles at universities, research centers, and private businesses. The program is supported by distinguished faculty and PhD students engaged in cutting-edge research across fields. With a flexible curriculum, students can effectively shape their PhD journey to address contemporary issues from interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Key Highlights: 
  • The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research, allowing students to select an additional area in another field such as sociology, computer science, education, or mass communication to supplement their studies.
  • The program is designed to produce teacher-scholars and leaders in the field of information science.
  • Dissertation topics range widely and have included information behavior, knowledge organization, health informatics, digital preservation, and information policy, just to name a few.
• Additional Considerations: Many students in this PhD program have opportunities to pay for their education through scholarships, grant funding, and assistantships. They are also encouraged to pursue funded research, grant applications, and conference presentations early in their studies.
• Accreditation status: Not applicable.

Career and Licensure Requirements in South Carolina

Like many other states, public and academic libraries do not require their librarians to seek specific licensure or certification requirements. Typically, they do want applicants to hold a completed MLIS degree (typically from an ALA-accredited university, though this isn’t always the case. For prospective librarians seeking academic or public library work, it is always best to check hiring preferences for various institutions before deciding on a specific MLIS program. 

K-12 school librarians must obtain special licensure in order to work in a school library, as dictated by the South Carolina Department of Education:

1. Education
   1. Prospective K-12 school librarians must complete an MLIS degree program or a Master’s in School Library Media/Library Science.
   2. Typically, the prospective K-12 school librarian would need completion of coursework specifically focused in library media, instructional technology, and curriculum integration.

2. Teaching Credential
   1. Prospective K-12 school librarians must hold a valid South Carolina teaching certificate (initial or advanced). For students who did not complete an undergraduate education program, an MLIS program with a school library track can offer options to complete this as well.

3. Application and Documentation
   1. At the end of the MLIS program, the prospective K-12 school librarian will submit official transcripts showing completed MLIS/graduate coursework.
   2. Then, they submit a teaching certificate (if required).
   3. Lastly, they complete the SCDE application for Library Media Specialist certification.

Salary and Job Outlook for Librarians in South Carolina

The Bureau of Labor Statistics currently lists the following salary averages and growth projections for librarians in America: 

• Average yearly salary: $64,329 (around $30.92 per hour)
• Growth projections: The employment of librarians is expected to grow by 2% between 2024 and 2034. While this growth rate is slower than average, around 13,500 openings are projected each year – this accounts for retirements, career changes, and other openings.

How do these numbers compare to South Carolina’s data? 

• Average yearly salary for a South Carolina librarian: The median annual wage for librarians and media specialists in South Carolina is approximately $64,600. Salaries can vary based on location and experience.
• Various factors, including location, institution type, and local cost-of-living adjustments, influence this average. 

Growth projections in South Carolina: Because many librarian jobs in K-12 schools, public libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries require master’s‑level credentials (or even specialized degrees), turnover and retirements means there will continue to be openings for qualified librarians with proper certifications.

Scholarships and Financial Aid for Library Science Students in South Carolina

The majority of South Carolina’s scholarship opportunities for library science students are centered in the University of South Carolina, as it is the state’s only option for an MLIS program: 

1. Richard T. Greener Fellowship

This fellowship is co‑sponsored by the iSchool and USC’s library system (Thomas Cooper Library). This fellowship involves training and mentoring, often rotating students through various library departments (public services, technical services, collection development) for hands-on experiences. 

2. Cynthia Graham Hurd Endowed Fellowship Fund

This is another scholarship fund for admitted graduate students in the University of South Carolina’s iSchool. This fund is specifically for deserving individuals in an underrepresented group who work within the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) System, as part of the iSchool diversity program.

Professional Associations and Networking in South Carolina

There are a variety of professional associations that encourage networking and learning in South Carolina: 

1. South Carolina Library Association (SCLA)

This is a statewide professional association that serves as an advocate for libraries and librarians working in schools, universities, special collections, and public facilities across South Carolina. They offer conferences, workshops, continuing education opportunities, legislative advocacy, and awards.

2. South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL)

SCASL is the state-level association for K‑12 library media specialists in South Carolina. The groups’ primary focus is on professional development opportunities, advocacy for school libraries and librarians, and upholding the standards for South Carolina’s school librarians. They offer annual conferences, funding opportunities, grants, and networking resources.

FAQs about Library Science Programs in South Carolina

Do you need a master’s degree to be a librarian in South Carolina?

It depends! While many librarian positions in South Carolina do require candidates to hold an MLIS degree to qualify for jobs, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, employers will make exceptions for people with comparable education and/or professional experience. It is best to research specific library systems or institutions to determine their hiring preferences and requirements.

Are there online ALA-accredited programs available for students in South Carolina?

Yes! The one MLIS program in South Carolina is also ALA-accredited and fully online. 

How long does it take to earn an MLIS?

Typically, an MLIS program can be finished within 2-3 years. Some programs advertise shorter completion times, but this is usually under exceptional circumstances, such as a student who has more time to tackle more coursework than what is generally advised per semester.

What jobs can you get with a library science degree in South Carolina?

While many people with library science degrees find themselves working in public or K-12 school libraries, there are other career possibilities for people with completed MLIS degrees, such as…

• Special collections librarians
• Museum workers or curators
• Archivists
• Research support
• Metadata specialists