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Masters

MSLS and MSIS Curriculum

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Apex , United States
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Degree
Masters
Major
Information Systems | Information Technology
Area of study
Information and Communication Technologies
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

MSLS and MSIS Curriculum

The M.S. in Library Science (MSLS) and M.S. in Information Science degrees require:


  • 48 semester hours of graduate-level course work
  • Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination
  • Satisfactory completion of a master’s paper or practicum project

Overview of the Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad range of professional competencies. The course bin system consists of four bins for a total of six courses (18 hours) that ensure exposure to a broad range of professional competencies.


Core Courses

All MSLS and MSIS students will take the following 2 core courses:


  • INLS 776: Ethics, Values and Society (spring semester)
  • INLS 777: Perspectives on Information, Technology, and People (fall semester)

Course Bins

The four bins are:


  • Information: These courses deal with information as the substrate of the LIS field: its creation, description, organization, curation, use, etc.
  • Services and Organizations: Courses in this bin focus on the structures and functions of information and cultural heritage organizations, and the roles and responsibilities of information professionals within those organizations.
  • Technology: Courses in this bin focus on information technology from a variety of perspectives, ranging from the sociotechnical (courses that explore technology’s role in and impact on society or on groups of people) to the technical (courses that focus on programming, data analytics, machine learning, etc.).
  • People and Communities: These courses center users of information resources and services and the communities that information organizations serve.

Information Bin Courses

  • INLS 509: Information Retrieval
  • INLS 513: Resource Selection and Evaluation
  • INLS 515: Consumer Health Information
  • INLS 520: Organization of Information
  • INLS 530: Young Adult Literature and Related Materials
  • INLS 609: Experimental Information Retrieval
  • INLS 620: Web Information Organization
  • INLS 625: Information Analytics
  • INLS 690: Open Access for Information Professionals
  • INLS 690: Data Criticism
  • INLS 690: Misinformation and Society
  • INLS 707: Government Information
  • INLS 708: Law Libraries and Legal Information
  • INLS 714: Introduction to Information Analytics
  • INLS 720: Metadata Architectures and Applications
  • INLS 732: Children’s Literature and Related Materials
  • INLS 749: Art and Visual Information Management
  • INLS 755: Archival Appraisal
  • INLS 757: Principles and Practices of Archival Description
  • INLS 842: Seminar in Popular Materials
  • INLS 857: Seminar in Rare Book Collections

Services and Organizations Bin Courses

  • INLS 490: Storytelling: Designing Your Professional Narrative
  • INLS 501: Information Resources and Services
  • INLS 525: Electronic Records Management
  • INLS 556: Introduction to Archives and Records Management
  • INLS 558: Principles and Techniques of Storytelling
  • INLS 582: Systems Analysis
  • INLS 585: Management for Information Professionals
  • INLS 624: Policy-Based Data Management
  • INLS 685: Project Management
  • INLS 700: Scholarly Communication
  • INLS 711: Crisis Management for Libraries
  • INLS 719: Usability Evaluation and Testing
  • INLS 721: Cataloging Theory and Practice
  • INLS 733: Administration of Public Library Work with Children and Young Adults
  • INLS 740: Digital Libraries: Principals and Applications
  • INLS 782: Library Assessment
  • INLS 783: Library Instruction and Pedagogy
  • INLS 841: Seminar in Academic Libraries
  • INLS 843: Seminar in Public Libraries

Technology Bin Courses

  • INLS 465: Understanding Information Technology for Managing Digital Collections
  • INLS 490: Real-time Data Science in the Makerspace
  • INLS 512: Applications of Natural Language Processing
  • INLS 523: Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
  • INLS 534: Youth and Technology in Libraries
  • INLS 541: Information Visualization
  • INLS 560: Programming for Information Professionals
  • INLS 561: Digital Forensics for Curation of Digital Collections
  • INLS 570: Fundamentals of Programming Information Applications
  • INLS 572: Web Development
  • INLS 613: Text Mining
  • INLS 623: Database Systems II: Intermediate Databases
  • INLS 626: Introduction to Big Data and NoSQL (1.5 credits)
  • INLS 641: Visual Analytics
  • INLS 672: Web Development II
  • INLS 690: Data Mining Methods and Applications
  • INLS 718: User Interface Design
  • INLS 750: Introduction to Digital Curation
  • INLS 751: Data Governance
  • INLS 752: Digital Preservation and Access
  • INLS 753: Preservation of Library and Archive Materials

People and Communities Bin Courses

  • INLS 490: Social Problems in an Information Society
  • INLS 490: The Idea of AI
  • INLS 500: Human Information Interactions
  • INLS 660: Social Media and Society: A Theoretical and Empirical Overview
  • INLS 690: Philosophy and Ethics of AI
  • INLS 690-323: Community Archives
  • INLS 690: Social Informatics
  • INLS 690: Information Professionals in the Makerspace
  • INLS 690: Disability Information and Informatics
  • INLS 690-313: Humanistic Theories for LIS Inquiry
  • INLS 690-324: Design for Accessibility
  • INLS 735: Youth Services in a Diverse Society
  • INLS 737: Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
  • INLS 739: Information Services for Specific Populations
  • INLS 754: Access, Outreach, and Public Service in Cultural Heritage Repositories
  • INLS 758: International and Cross-Cultural Perspectives for Information Management
  • INLS 890: Networks of Racial Capitalism

Elective Courses

The remaining degree hours are electives and can be chosen from the above bins, the advising grids for the students chosen specialization (if applicable), or courses outside of SILS including other departments on campus, inter-institutional registration, or WISE courses.


The Capstone Experience

Your capstone experience includes either a research-based master’s paper or a practicum project.


  • The Research-Based Master’s Paper: This is a good choice for students who are interested in applying for a Ph.D. in the future or who already have work experience. You’ll write a substantive research report under the guidance of a faculty member.
  • The Practicum Project: This option is a great choice for students who want to develop hands-on experience dealing with a real-world need, and are interested in going into a professional practice directly after graduation. The project option is intended to help you demonstrate and build practical skills that are transferable to library and information science work environments, such as communication, collaboration, and project management. You’ll work with a team to provide a solution for a local organization.

Customizing Your Experience

Students also have the ability to select a concentration, an informal specialization, a certificate, and/or school library media coordinator licensure. These offerings can help you focus your studies to better prepare for your career goals.


Concentration Option

The Concentration of Study in Archives and Record Management provides students with the knowledge and skills required to work in archives, special collections, historical societies, records management units within organizations, and various other curatorial environments.


Specialization Options

These are informal course plans designed to help guide students. Completing them will not result in an endorsement on a student’s transcript. They are suggestions to facilitate your class planning. Students select courses in consultation with their faculty advisor and may focus their programs of study according to their interests and career objectives.


Informal Specializations

  • Academic Librarianship - Management: If you’re interested in academic librarianship with a management focus, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 465: Understanding Information Technology for Managing Digital Collections
    • INLS 500: Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 501: Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 513: Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520: Organization of Information
    • INLS 523: Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 582: Systems Analysis
    • INLS 585: Management for Information Professionals
    • INLS 685: Project Management: Strategy and Applications
    • INLS 750: Introduction to Digital Curation
    • INLS 737: Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 754: Access, Outreach, and Public Service in Cultural Heritage Repositories
    • INLS 782: Library Assessment
    • INLS 841: Seminar in Academic Libraries
  • Academic Librarianship - Reference: If you’re interested in academic librarianship with a reference focus, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 501, Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 509, Information Retrieval
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 545, Information Professionals in the Makerspace
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 585, Management for Information Professionals
    • INLS 707, Government Information
    • INLS 708, Law Libraries and Legal Information
    • INLS 709, Business Information
    • INLS 718, User Interface Design
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 754, Access, Outreach, and Public Service in Cultural Heritage Repositories
    • INLS 841, Seminar in Academic Libraries
  • Academic Librarianship - User Services: If you’re interested in academic librarianship with a user services focus, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 501, Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 545, Information Professionals in the Makerspace
    • INLS 560, Programming for Information Science
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 754, Access, Outreach, and Public Service in Cultural Heritage Repositories
    • INLS 782, Library Assessment
    • INLS 841, Seminar in Academic Libraries
  • Academic Librarianship - Cataloging: If you’re interested in academic librarianship with a cataloging focus, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 501, Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 525, Electronic Records Management
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 720, Metadata Architectures and Applications
    • INLS 721, Cataloging Theory and Practice
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 752, Digital Preservation and Access
    • INLS 754, Access, Outreach, and Public Service in Cultural Heritage Repositories
    • INLS 841, Seminar in Academic Libraries
  • Academic Librarianship - Collections Management: If you’re interested in academic librarianship with a collections management focus, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 465, Understanding Information Technology for Managing Digital Collections
    • INLS 501, Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 525, Electronic Records Management
    • INLS 545, Information Professionals in the Makerspace
    • INLS 556, Introduction to Archives and Records Management
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 700, Scholarly Communication
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 750, Introduction to Digital Curation
    • INLS 752, Digital Preservation and Access
    • INLS 753, Preservation of Library and Archive Materials
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 754, Access, Outreach, and Public Service in Cultural Heritage Repositories
    • INLS 841, Seminar in Academic Libraries
    • INLS 857, Seminar in Rare Book Collections
  • Data Science, Data Analytics, Databases: If you’re interested in data science, data analytics, or databases, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 509, Information Retrieval
    • INLS 512, Applications of Natural Language Proecessing
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 541, Information Viualization
    • INLS 560, Programming for Information Science
    • INLS 570, Intermediate Programming and Data Analysis
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 585, Management for Information Professionals
    • INLS 613, Text Mining
    • INLS 623, Database Systems II: Intermediate Databases
    • INLS 625, Information Analytics
    • INLS 626, Introduction to Big Data and NoSQL
    • INLS 641, Visual Analytics
    • INLS 642, Data Mining
    • INLS 690-245, Data Criticism
    • INLS 690-290, Misinformation and Society
    • INLS 719, Usability Evaluation and Testing
    • INLS 720, Metadata Architectures and Applications
  • Digital Libraries - Digital Humanities: If you’re interested in digital libraries or digital humanities, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 485, Understanding Information Technology for Managing Digital Collections
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 501, Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 509, Information Retrieval
    • INLS 512, Applications of Natural Language Proecessing
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 525, Electronic Records Management
    • INLS 541, Information Viualization
    • INLS 551, History of Libraries and Other Information-Related Cultural Institutions
    • INLS 560, Programming for Information Science
    • INLS 572, Web Development
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 585, Management for Information Professionals
    • INLS 613, Text Mining
    • INLS 620, Web Information Organization
    • INLS 623, Database Systems II, Intermediate Databases
    • INLS 625, Information Analytics
    • INLS 641, Visual Analytics
    • INLS 700, Scholarly Communication
    • INLS 718, User Interface Design
    • INLS 720, Metadata Architectures and Applications
    • INLS 721, Cataloging Theory and Practice
    • INLS 750, Introduction to Digital Curation
    • INLS 752, Digital Preservation and Access
    • INLS 754, Access, Outreach, and Public Service in Cultural Heritage Repositories
    • INLS 782, Library Assessment
    • INLS 787, Legal Issues for Librarians
  • Environmental Informatics: If you’re interested in environmental informatics, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • ENVR 488, Temporal GIS and Space/Time Geostatics for the Environment and Public Health
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 509, Information Retrieval
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 525, Electronic Records Management
    • INLS 541, Information Viualization
    • INLS 560, Programming for Information Science
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 623, Database Systems II: Intermediate Databases
    • INLS 625, Information Analytics
    • INLS 641, Visual Analytics
    • INLS 642, Data Mining
    • INLS 719, Usability Evaluation and Testing
    • INLS 720, Metadata Architectures and Applications
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
  • Health Informatics: If you’re interested in health informatics, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • CHIP 710: Intro to Health Inf and US Health Systems
    • CHIP 725: Electronic Health Records
    • CHIP 690-335: Introduction to Programming OR INLS 560: Programming for Information Science
    • CHIP 732: Database Systems and Applications in Healthcare OR INLS 523: Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • CHIP 690-295: Foundations of Clinical Data Science
    • INLS 718 User Interface Design
    • INLS 719: Usability Evaluation and Testing
    • CHIP 690-307: Human Factors in Healthcare
    • CHIP720-311/320: Systems Analysis OR INLS 582: User-Centered Systems Analysis in Workplaces
  • Information and Society: If you’re interested in information and society, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 556, Introduction to Archives and Records Management
    • INLS 560, Programming for Information Science
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 620, Web Information Organization
    • INLS 690-290, Misinformation and Society
    • INLS 718, User Interface Design
    • INLS 720, Metadata Architectures and Applications
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 754, Access, Outreach, and Public Service in Cultural Heritage Repositories
  • Information Organization and Systems Design: If you’re interested in information organization and information systems design, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 509, Information Retrieval
    • INLS 512, Applications of Natural Language Processing
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 541, Information Visualization
    • INLS 556, Introduction to Archives and Records Management
    • INLS 560, Programming for Information Science
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 613, Text Mining
    • INLS 620, Web Information Organization
    • INLS 623, Database Systems II: Intermediate Databases
    • INLS 625, Information Analytics
    • INLS 642, Data Mining
    • INLS 626, Introduction to Big Data and NoSQL
    • INLS 690-245, Data Criticism
    • INLS 718, User Interface Design
    • INLS 719, Usability Evaluation and Testing
    • INLS 720, Metadata Architectures and Applications
    • INLS 721, Cataloging Theory and Practice
  • Information Retrieval and Text Mining: If you’re interested in information retrieval and text mining, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 509, Information Retrieval
    • INLS 512, Applications of Natural Language Processing
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 560, Programming for Information Science
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 613, Text Mining
    • INLS 585, Management for Information Professionals
    • INLS 625, Information Analytics
    • INLS 642, Data Mining
    • INLS 626, Introduction to Big Data and NoSQL
    • INLS 690-245, Data Criticism
    • INLS 719, Usability Evaluation and Testing
  • Instructional Librarianship: If you’re interested in instructional librarianship, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 501, Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 530, Young Adult Literature and Related Materials
    • INLS 534, Youth and Technology in Libraries
    • INLS 545, Information Professionals in the Makerspace
    • INLS 560, Programming for Information Science
    • INLS 732, Children’s Literature and Related Materials
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 782, Library Assessment
    • INLS 783, Library Instruction and Pedagogy
  • Public Libraries - Adult Services: If you’re interested in public libraries with a focus on adult services, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 501, Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 525, Electronic Records Management
    • INLS 530, Young Adult Literature and Related Materials
    • INLS 545, Information Professionals in the Makerspace
    • INLS 551, History of Libraries and Other Information-Related Cultural Institutions
    • INLS 556, Introduction to Archives and Records Management
    • INLS 572, Web Development
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 585, Management for Information Professionals
    • INLS 718, User Interface Design
    • INLS 721, Cataloging Theory and Practice
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 782, Library Assessment
    • INLS 842, Seminar in Popular Materials in Libraries
    • INLS 843, Seminar in Public Libraries
  • Public Libraries - Youth Services: If you’re interested in public libraries with a focus on youth services, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 501, Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 530, Young Adult Literature and Related Materials
    • INLS 534, Youth and Technology in Libraries
    • INLS 545, Information Professionals in the Makerspace
    • INLS 568, Principles and Techniques of Storytelling
    • INLS 585, Management for Information Professionals
    • INLS 711, Crisis Management for Libraries
    • INLS 721, Cataloging Theory and Practice
    • INLS 732, Children’s Literature and Related Materials
    • INLS 733, Administration of Public Library Work with Children and Young Adults
    • INLS 737, Inclusive Information Services for Diverse Populations
    • INLS 782, Library Assessment
    • INLS 783, Library Instruction and Pedagogy
    • INLS 842, Seminar in Popular Materials in Libraries
    • INLS 843, Seminar in Public Libraries
  • Special Libraries and Knowledge Management: If you’re interested in special libraries and knowledge management, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 501, Information Resources and Services
    • INLS 513, Resource Selection and Evaluation
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 525, Electronic Records Management
    • INLS 572, Web Development
    • INLS 613, Text Mining
    • INLS 623, Database Systems II
    • INLS 718, User Interface Design
    • INLS 750, Introduction to Digital Curation
    • INLS 754, Access, Outreach, and Public Service in Cultural Heritage Repositories
    • INLS 782, Library Assessment
  • User Experience and Human-Computer Interaction: If you’re interested in user experience and human-computer interaction, the following courses might be of particular interest:
    • INLS 500, Human Information Interactions
    • INLS 520, Organization of Information
    • INLS 523, Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
    • INLS 541, Information Visualization
    • INLS 560, Programming for Information Science
    • INLS 572, Web Development
    • INLS 582, Systems Analysis
    • INLS 620, Web Information Organization
    • INLS 623, Database Systems II: Intermediate Databases
    • INLS 641, Visual Analytics
    • INLS 718, User Interface Design
    • INLS 719, Usability Evaluation and Testing
    • INLS 720, Metadata Architectures and Applications

School Library Media Coordinator Licensure

Due to upcoming personnel changes, SILS has decided to pause the school library media certification program for students entering our master’s programs in Fall 2026 or later.


Certificate Options

These certificates allow currently enrolled graduate students to develop strength in predefined areas of concentration. Completion of the requirements for a certificate results in an endorsement on the student’s transcript.


  • Biomedical Imaging Science
  • Digital Humanities
  • Public Health Informatics

For a full list of currently available graduate certificates, visit the UNC Graduate School’s Certificate Programs page.


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