Library and Information Science BS
Earn your online Library and Information Science degree from Southern Miss!
Program-at-a-Glance (Undergraduate)
Credit Hours:
Total Hours: 120
Major Area of Study: 45
Additional Requirements: 3-6
Direct Electives: 34
Minor: 18
Cost per Credit Hour:
$370.59
Completion Time:
2-4 years
University Accreditation:
Special Requirements:
An internship or practicum at a library or archive near you is required in your senior year
Explore the world of information with an online Library and Information Science degree (BS). The complexity of today’s information age requires greater expertise and knowledge than ever before. The University of Southern Mississippi can help you gain the skills you need to excel.
The University of Southern Mississippi is proud to offer an online Bachelors of Science degree in Library and Information Science. Through this convenient and affordable online Library and Information Science degree program, you will meet each week in a virtual classroom and take courses in collection development, cataloging, library management, and information technology as well as children’s or young adult literature. An internship or practicum at a library or archive near you is required in your senior year. This internship will allow students to find a mentor in the field to help grow their knowledge and confidence in the library. Additional courses include web design, information ethics, multicultural resources, and the history of books.
Are you interested in furthering your education with a Master’s in Library and Information Science online degree? Additionally, Southern Miss also offers an Archives and Special Collections Graduate Certificate online! Looking for more? Our enrollment coaches are standing by to assist you. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college.
A number of scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship, or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!
Your Future
- Public Librarian
- Elementary School Librarian
- High School Librarian
- Branch Library Manager
- Business Operations Specialist
- Library Technician
We are here to help! Our enrollment coaches are standing by to help you take the next step.
We’ll call you soon! In the meantime, learn more about us from our blog or start your application.
General Education Curriculum
Written Communication (6 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Composition One
|
3 hrs. |
|
Composition Two
|
3 hrs. |
Natural Science (8-10 hours minimum)
Select 2 courses with labs:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Biology and Society
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Chemistry and Our Environment
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Chemistry I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Chemistry II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Weather and Climate
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics II
*
|
3 hrs. |
Humanities (9 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Literature
|
3 hrs. |
Select 2 courses, 1 history required:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Civilizations: 1500 C.E. to present
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Philosophy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Ethics and Good Living
|
3 hrs. |
|
Comparative Religion
|
3 hrs. |
Aesthetic Values (3 hours)
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Art Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
Dance Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Enjoyment of Music
|
3 hrs. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)
Select 2 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
The Human Experience: A Global Perspective on Human Diversity
|
3 hrs. |
|
Basic Economics
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
|
3 hrs. |
|
American Government
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology
|
3 hrs. |
Mathematics (3 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Quantitative Reasoning
|
3 hrs. |
|
College Algebra
|
3 hrs. |
|
Higher-level MAT course
|
3 hrs. |
Writing-Intensive Requirement (3 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Organizational Communications
|
3 hrs. |
ENG 101& ENG 102 prerequisites
Speaking-Intensive Requirement (3 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Library Intruction
|
3 hrs. |
Capstone Requirement (Major Area)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Library Practicum 1-4 hrs. Arr. (Capstone)
|
3 hrs. |
Must be taken Senior Year; ENG 101 & ENG 102 prerequisites
Program Curriculum
Major Area of Study Requirement (45 hours)
Minimum grade of “C” required in all Major Area of Study courses.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Introduction to Information Literacy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Reference and Information Services
|
3 hrs. |
|
Cataloging and Classification
|
3 hrs. |
|
School Libraries
|
3 hrs. |
|
Development of Library Collection
|
3 hrs. |
|
Rural and Small Libraries
|
3 hrs. |
|
Library Pracrticum 1-4 hrs. Arr. (Capstone)
|
3 hrs. |
|
Library Instruction
|
3 hrs. |
Select 12 additional hours from the School of Library and Information Science.
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Technology in the School Library
|
3 hrs. |
|
Information Technology and Libraries
|
3 hrs. |
|
Web Design and Evaluation
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Literature and Related Media for Children
|
3 hrs. |
|
Literature and Related Media for Children for Young Adults
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Information Ethics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Sources of Information for a Multicultural Society
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Requirement (3-6 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Child Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Developmental Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
Directed Electives (34 hours)
Choose electives as recommended by advisor. (See Hours to Degree below.)
Hours to Degree
120 hours are needed to graduate with a BS in Library and Information Science. At least 50 percent of the hours applied to a degree at The University of Southern Mississippi must be earned from a senior college, and 30 of these hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above. The student must earn at least 21 of the last 30 hours of course work and at least 12 hours in the major area of study from Southern Miss. See Residence Hour Requirements for more information.
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
The LIS 489 practicum course is a 3-credit-hour capstone course taken during the senior year. Students are required to do a practicum of 150 hours in a library or archive near them (and there is also a virtual option). Students are encouraged to find a site near them with a great mentor. Our department can also suggest some sites that look for practicum students or have internship opportunities. Students also complete a reflective blog, paper and presentation related to the practicum.
Licensure requirements and approval are determined by each state’s licensing board. For general information about professional licensure, please review the Online Programs & Professional Licensure Page. If you have professional licensing questions regarding licensure relative to one of our online programs, please read our Professional Licensure Disclosure and then fill out the Professional Licensure Inquiry Form. If you have other questions regarding licensure, please email professional licensure.
Additional fees may apply to the online Library and Information Science degree. Fees range between $20 – $60.
The Library and Information Science (LIS) major requires completion of the general education core courses as well as 45 hours of major-area courses, 15-21 hours of major requirements outside the department and enough electives to bring the total number of hours to 120. Major-area courses begin in the junior year.
To find pricing information, visit our pricing page. For financial aid information, view our financial aid page. For detailed tuition information, visit our business services page.
You will not need to come to the Southern Miss campus for this online library and information science degree.
Our classes involve students with faculty. There are real-time chats, weekly chat meetings, discussion board assignments, reading and writing assignments, basically a class taught in cyberspace. In order to properly serve our students, we limit the number of seats in our classes to ensure the faculty member can interact appropriately with the students. These are not correspondence courses. They are semester-length courses taught within a typical semester structure. The courses are NOT “come when you please and do what you like.” If you are looking for a grade for enrolling, then do not apply to Southern Miss. You will have to earn a grade. It will require long hours on your part, just like face-to-face graduate classes.
Contact the school to be advised as a nondegree student at (601) 266-4228 or by email at slis@usm.edu.
Other classes that aren’t listed may count towards your online library and information science degree once your transcript has been evaluated and posted.
If yes, visit online.usm.edu/military for more information on how Southern Miss can serve you and your needs. We will help you with funding and scholarship information, admissions and course enrollment.
If you still have questions about the online library and information science degree, please e-mail us at slis@usm.edu or call (601) 266-4228.
Please visit our programs page here: https://online.usm.edu/programs/
If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!
Admission Requirements
The following is required from all undergraduate applicants:
- Application for Undergraduate Admission
- $40 non-refundable application fee
- An official high school transcript for freshman (high school) applicants OR official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school for transfer applicants
- Submission of ACT or SAT scores for freshman (high school) applicants
- Documentation of two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization. Upload a copy of your proof of immunization.
Students should be mindful of admission deadlines. For a full list of admission requirements, see the University Admission Policies.
Program Academic Policies and Requirements:
- Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and be in good academic standing to transfer into the School of Library and Information Science.
- Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all library science courses.
- Student must also earn a minor in another field of study is recommended.
The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). That means you can expect a program with the highest standards and quality.
Questions about this degree?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
