Florida State University Online Library Science Masters Review

For professionals in most fields, getting a master’s degree is a signal of academic achievement, and it’ll probably come with a pay bump. In the field of library and information science, a master’s degree is generally considered mission-critical to getting a career off the ground in the first place. Florida State University has a popular and highly rated Master of Information Science that can be earned entirely online.

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About the Program

Here’s a look at some of the facts and figures surrounding Florida State University and it’s information science program.

Basics

Institution type: Public
Campus: Tallahassee, Florida
Accreditation: American Library Association (ALA)
Program format: Online, traditional

Tuition and fees

Expected total tuition: $20,214 average in-state; $43,560 out-of-state
Per credit-hour tuition: $562 average in-state; $1,210 out-of-state

Degrees & requirements

Library science degrees offered: Master of Science in Information
Number of credit hours required: 36
Estimated time to completion: 24 months
Optional specializations: Cultural Informatics, General Librarianship, Health Informatics, Leadership & Management, Public, Academic and Special Libraries, Reference Services, Technology & Networking, Web Design, Youth Services

Biggest Pros

What are the strongest factors in favor of FSU for the average applicant?

Accreditation

In academic realms, degrees from institutions that are accredited by trusted organizations are generally preferred by students, though they might bypass a particular credential for the ideal program. Library and information science students usually don’t have that luxury, as many careers in the field, particularly those in public settings like schools, are governed by state mandates that require professionals to earn their master’s degrees only from institutions accredited by the American Library Association. FSU is one of only two institutions in Florida that offer ALA-accredited master’s degrees in the field.

Specializations

Students in Florida State’s Master of Science in Information (MSI), offered through its highly rated School of Information, can chart an academic course that speaks to their personal interests and career goals by choosing from a selection of specializations. They include traditional favorites like general librarianship and emerging fields like health informatics.

Multiple degree types

FSU’s iSchool is home to several master’s degrees in the field of information science. In addition to the MSI program, which is our main focus, students also can complete a Master of Arts in Information or a Master of Science in Information Technology.

Biggest Cons

What are some aspects of FSU’s information science program that are less-than-appealing for typical students?

Cost

Florida State’s library and information science programs are expensive, particularly for a public university’s offerings. In-state students, including those taking courses entirely online, can expect to spend more than $20,000 on tuition costs, while out-of-staters should expect to pay more than $40,000.

Admissions requirements

Applicants to FSU’s iSchool programs are traditionally required to submit scores on standardized exams like the Graduate Records Examination and Miller Analogies Test. While that requirement has been temporarily suspended because of the pandemic, it’s likely it will return in the future.

Florida State University Online Library Science Program FAQs

Here are some of the questions prospective students most frequently ask about FSU’s information science program before making their educational decisions.

Can I complete my degree entirely online?

Yes, iSchool students at FSU can choose to attend in-person if they live in the area (or can relocate), or they can complete their education entirely online. They also can opt between full-time or part-time attendance in both cases.

Is a thesis required?

MSI students are not required to complete a thesis, but a thesis is an optional part of the program. Students who choose to do so will earn six hours of course credit as they complete an independent investigation and research into aspects of library and information science.

Do I need to submit a GRE score?

Depending on when students are preparing to apply for library science programs, they should prepare to submit a GRE score if they want to be considered for admission into FSU’s iSchool. While the GRE requirement is currently suspended because of the pandemic, it likely will return in the near future.

Conclusion

For the average worker, a master’s degree is a way to unlock new avenues in their careers or boost their income. But for people in library and information science careers, master’s degrees are usually considered a prerequisite for getting a job at all. While Florida State’s Master of Science in Information program is pricey, it also can be earned online while offering a wide range of specialty areas, so it may pay for itself in the long run.

Additional Resources

Why These Programs?

Our goal is to connect potential students with the best MLIS degree programs in the country. We scored all library science master’s degree programs in the U.S. on more than 15 variables across four categories to find the best of the best.