Library and Information Science: Information Science and Technology Concentration

The Master of Library and Information Science (MS): Information Science and Technology Concentration at Simmons University is a flexible, highly-inclusive program that combines theory, hands-on competencies, and understanding of professional practices to expose students to the kinds of knowledge they’ll be expected to know as an information professional.

Student working at a computer

Technology is increasingly an integral part of the Library and Information Science profession. Our Information Science and Technology Concentration is designed for students who are interested in developing skills and knowledge in information technology, while maintaining a strong grounding in human information behavior and the service orientation of Library and Information Science.

The skills and knowledge gained in this concentration prepare graduates for careers in libraries, museums, archives, management of information systems and also for data-rich business and research settings.

Students in the Master’s in Library Science: Information Science and Technology Concentration have the option to complete their degree entirely online. In addition to face-to-face classroom options in Boston and at SLIS West (South Hadley and Amherst, Massachusetts), students can select a blended approach, combining online and face-to-face courses that meet their academic needs.

Why study in the Information Science and Technology Concentration?

Students who graduate with the Information Science and Technology Concentration will have an understanding of major theories in information science and be able to apply them to specific research or professional contexts; fundamental programming knowledge and skills; skills in database design and application; and proficiency in one or more areas in information science and technology within the user-system continuum ⁠— all with an eye for creating and working in socio-technical environments that appreciate the diversity and complexity of today’s information settings.

What will you learn?

The Master of Library and Information Science: Information Science and Technology Concentration is a 36-credit program that imparts the concepts and competencies needed for positions in a variety of information settings. In addition to three core courses in library and information science, Information Science and Technology students take three core courses in the areas of programming, database management and theories in information science. They also complete two electives focused on information science and technology and four electives that can serve to bridge across other areas within library and information science.

Simmons' Master's in Library and Information Science has attained an outstanding reputation for first-rate internships — essential for success in the field. We strongly encourage all students to gain experience in the field prior to graduation, and we help students connect with the best sites for their career goals.

Our location in Boston opens up opportunities for partnerships with a range of information technology companies, IT start-ups, libraries, archives, and historical sites, but our contacts also extend across the country. We work with you to obtain a challenging internship in your area and offer continued support to ensure that your experience meets your professional goals.

What can you do with an Information Science and Technology Concentration?

Simmons University is one of U.S. News and World Report’s top ranking schools of library and information science. The winning combination of our Master's in Library and Information Science plus exceptional work experience puts Simmons' graduates in a strong position to find employment after finishing their program.

Library and Information Science graduates report that their pre-professional work experience helped them to identify which environments and jobs were right for them, while also building their networks. Students will leave the program qualified for a range of positions such as:

  • Systems analysts
  • Systems librarians
  • Knowledge managers
  • Web developers
  • Web content designers and managers
  • Information architects
  • Usability specialists
  • User experience (UX) designers
  • Information behavior researchers
  • Interaction designers
  • IT managers
  • Requirement analysts
  • IT support specialists
  • Database developers
  • Social media managers
  • Digital collection managers

Learn more about our Information Science and Technology Concentration!

Take advantage of what Boston has to offer while taking library science degree courses on a flexible schedule, with classes held on days, nights, and weekends. Or, join Simmons from anywhere — the option to complete the Information Science and Technology Concentration online provides the utmost flexibility for students from every corner of the world. Learn more about why the Master of Library and Information Science with a concentration in Information Science and Technology at Simmons is the perfect fit for you. Request more information today!

Students in the MS (LIS) degree program must complete 36 credits of graduate coursework to be qualified to earn the MS (LIS) degree.

MS (LIS) students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 to continue in the program.

Students in the School Library Teacher (SLT) concentration must receive a “B” (3.0) or better in every course. Any course in which the student has received a grade lower than a B must be repeated before the candidate may enroll in a practicum or be recommended for licensure. See “Degree Progress and Academic Sanctions” for further information.

Concentrations and Specializations

LIS students may choose to focus their studies by following a degree concentration curriculum designed to prepare students to work in a variety of information institutions with a diversity of materials and tools. Students who choose to concentrate their studies must complete the LIS core courses required of all MS students as well as a sequence of courses required to earn the degree concentration.

Program Requirements

MS (LIS) students are required to complete three courses equaling nine (9) credits of core coursework in library and information science.

LIS407 Information Sources & Services 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
 
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3
or, if a student is in the School Library Teacher Program (SLTP)
LIS460 Technology and the School Library Teacher 3

These core courses must be completed within a student’s first twelve (12) hours of coursework. SLT students must complete LIS 407 and LIS 415 within their first twelve (12) hours of coursework and may complete LIS 460 any time during the course of their degree program.

The School has initiated a program to provide a common base of knowledge of the technologies and tools students will encounter during the course of their studies, as well as resources available to them as a Simmons LIS student. All students entering the program are required to register for the 0-credit LIS 400 – Virtual Orientation, which introduces students to the full range of academic, administrative, and social expectations for students, and the environment in which they must meet those expectations. Intended for both online and on campus students, this course describes program requirements; university, school, and program policy; and offers information about the full range of resources available to the students in support of their programs. It also offers basic tutorial and instruction related to the use of Moodle (the learning management system used in online and on campus courses), library resources, and other key tools used to support student learning.


LIS students may choose to focus their studies by following a degree concentration curriculum designed to prepare students to work in a variety of information institutions with a diversity of materials and tools. Students who choose to concentrate their studies must complete the LIS core courses required of all MS students as well as a sequence of courses required to earn the degree concentration.

Archives Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Sources & Services 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Take the following (9 credits):

LIS438 Introduction to Archival Theory and Practice 3
LIS440 Archival Access and Use 3
LIS442 Establishing Archives and Manuscript Programs 3

One of the following (3 credits):

LIS433 Oral History 3
LIS441 Appraisal of Archives and Manuscripts 3
 
LIS443 Archives, History and Collective Memory 3
OR
HIST527 Archives, History, and Collective Memory 4
LIS456 Records Management Environments 3
LIS471 Photographic Archives 3
LIS472 Moving Image Archives 3
LIS476 Outreach and Advocacy for Cultural Heritage 3
LIS505M Government Archives 3

One of the following (3 credits):

LIS439 Preservation Management 3
LIS444 Digital Preservation 3
LIS448 Digital Stewardship 3

Four elective courses (12 credits)

Cultural Heritage Informatics Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Sources & Services 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Take the following (9 credits):

LIS432 Concepts in Cultural Heritage Informatics 3
LIS438 Introduction to Archival Theory and Practice 3
LIS477 Digital Asset Management 3

One of the following (3 credits):

LIS439 Preservation Management 3
LIS444 Digital Preservation 3
LIS448 Digital Stewardship 3
Five elective courses (15 credits)

Design Your Own Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Sources & Services 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Nine elective courses (27 credits) 

Information Science and Technology Concentration Course Requirements

Any two from the complete list below (6 credits):

Systems Oriented
LIS467 Web Development and Information Architecture 3
LIS486 Systems Analysis in Information Services 3
LIS487 Data Interoperability 3
User Oriented
LIS421 Social Informatics 3
LIS455 Usability and User Experience Research 3
LIS462 Digital Libraries 3
LIS465 Knowledge Management 3
LIS475 Organizational/Information Ethics 3
LIS500 Independent Study 3

Four elective courses (12 credits)

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Sources & Services 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Take the following (9 credits):

LIS458 Database Management 3
LIS484 Theories of Information Science 3
LIS485 Introduction to Programming 3

Libraries and Librarianship Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Sources & Services 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Take the following (9 credits):

LIS404 Principles of Management 3
LIS408 User Instruction 3
LIS453 Collections Development and Management 3

One of the following (3 credits):

LIS414 Special Libraries 3
LIS450 Public Libraries 3
LIS451 Academic Libraries 3
Five elective courses (15 credits)

School Library Teacher Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (6 credits):

LIS407 Information Sources & Services 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3

Take the following (24 credits)

LIS406 Management and Evaluation of School Library Programs 3
LIS459 Fundamentals of School Librarianship 3
LIS460 Technology and the School Library Teacher 3
LIS461 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for the School Library Teacher 3
LIS481 Library Collections and Materials for Children 3
LIS483 Library Collections and Materials for Young Adults 3
LIS498 Practicum (PreK-8) 3
LIS499 Practicum (7-12) 3
Two elective courses (6 credits)

Students may complete the master of science degree program in library and information science fully online. Students may choose the DYO (Design Your Own) option, and customize their degree program to reflect their professional goal. They may choose to concentrate their studies in information science and technology or archives management.

The Information Science and Technology concentration follows the same requirements of the on-campus program. All class modalities are open to students in our program (online, face to face, blended). Excepting mode of delivery, online courses are identical to face to face courses in content and learning objectives. Online courses are asynchronous, meaning that teaching and learning in the online course environment is not bound to time or place. Just as face-to-face students must meet assignment deadlines set by their instructors and actively engage in learning in the classroom space, online students are similarly obligated to complete assignments on time and participate in learning activities. The difference between the online and face-to-face experience: online students may access and engage with organized learning materials anytime and anywhere they are connected to the Internet.

Because all MS students may register for and participate in online classes, the SLIS online classrooms have become spaces for local and distant students to learn and network.

Attend the LIS Master’s Program at SLIS West in South Hadley, Massachusetts located at Mount Holyoke College. The SLIS West Campus is primarily a part time program geared towards the needs of working students. The small classes, scheduling flexibility, and cohesive community help our working students succeed in the classroom and in their careers.

Courses are scheduled primarily on weekends, with some evening options available. Students in the IS&T concentration can complete program requirements through a combination of coursework at the SLIS West Campus and online. Students are also welcome to take classes at the Boston campus.

Spotlight on Information Science and Technology Students and Alums

Photo of Alyssa Pacy and Sarah Yasuda

A Tale of Two Librarians: SLIS alumnae/i at Cambridge Public Library

Librarian Sarah Yasuda '20MS and Archivist Alyssa Pacy '06MS, '07MA reflect on how their studies at Simmons SLIS impacted their careers, the unique rewards of public library work, and the coolest items you can find in the Cambridge Public Library...