Library and Information Science Dual-degree Program

Earn a master’s degree in virtually any discipline offered by the New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) and an ALA accredited Master of Science in Library and Information Science (M.S.L.I.S.) from Long Island University’s Palmer School of Library and Information Science.

Location and Class Schedules

NYU’s Bobst Library is the host for the Palmer School’s Manhattan campus. Weekday courses meet after 4:30 p.m. Weekend courses and summer sessions are offered.

NYU GSAS courses are taught in Manhattan. Students may concentrate their studies in one of the 200 subject concentrations at NYU GSAS. For more information about schedules, departments, and admission procedures, please visit http://gsas.nyu.edu.

Curriculum

Students who enroll in the dual-degree program will earn two master’s degrees for a total of 52 credits.

For the M.S.L.I.S., the Palmer School requires students to complete 28 credits.  Coursework includes four core courses, four electives, and a 160 hour mentorship. After admission, students are interviewed by a committee of NYU librarians and assigned a mentor. Students work with their mentors throughout the course of the degree program to gain valuable work experience in areas of their professional interests. Students may employ the mentorship to intern at the countless cultural, research, legal, and business organizations in the New York metropolitan area. In the past, students have interned at the New York Public Library, the Museum of Modern Art, the Morgan Library, the New-York Historical Society, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and IBM among many other organizations. 

NYU GSAS requires students in most master’s programs to complete 24 credits while resident at GSAS.  Additional thesis and internship requirements vary by department. For specific information, please see the Field of Study Descriptions at http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/grad.scholarly.masters.

Admission

Students apply to Long Island University’s Palmer School and NYU’s GSAS separately. Admission to both is required for enrollment as a dual-degree student. GSAS students or Palmer students who have completed up to (but no more than) 16 credits also may be eligible to apply.

Financial Aid

Students interested in applying for financial aid should complete the FAFSA form available at http://www.nyu.edu/financial.aid/. The Palmer School offers several grants and maintains a current list of available scholarship opportunities. Students should also contact the Graduate School of Arts and Science department in which they are interested in studying regarding financial aid opportunities. In addition, prospective students should review the information available at the GSAS website regarding financial aid, http://gsas.nyu.edu/page/grad.financialaid.html

Tuition and Fees

Students pay tuition and fees to Long Island University for M.S.L.I.S. courses and to NYU for GSAS courses. Tuition rates and fees vary between schools. 

Graduation

Students who complete the required credits, mentoring program, and additional thesis or departmental  requirements from NYU will graduate with an American Library Association accredited M.S.L.I.S. from Long Island University and a subject Master’s degree from NYU. This background is required to work as a librarian in major academic and research institutions.  Students have access to the NYU Wasserman Career Center and to the impressive employment database at the Palmer School. In addition, the Palmer faculty is very successful at networking students with future employers. 

For Additional Information

The program office is located on the 7th floor of the Bobst Library at NYU. To make an appointment to discuss the dual-degree program, please contact Alice Flynn at alice.flynn@liu.edu (212)-998-2680 or Dr. Pauline Rothstein, at pr16@nyu.edu or call (212) 998-2516.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the tuition for the dual-degree program?
There is no extra tuition for the program. New York University will charge tuition for their courses. Long Island University will charge tuition for all courses taken in the Palmer School. 

What about scholarships? How do I apply?
New York University and Long Island University have received a federal grant to fund scholarships for students in the dual-degree program. This grant opportunity is for dual degree students only, for an application click here. In addition, The Long Island University Palmer School offers a limited number of scholarships for M.S.L.I.S. students; we keep a list of library associations and others who offer scholarships. 

Do I have to be a full time student?
No. You must meet all course requirements for the New York University Master’s program.  Long Island University holds two summer sessions, a special winter session and a selection of short-term institutes or workshops that may be taken for credit.

Will I have an increased salary with two M.A. degrees?
Although no one can assure you of your first salary, in general, academic librarians with two Master’s degrees have more opportunities at higher salaries than M.S.L.I.S. students without subject expertise. In specific sectors of the information industry, a subject M.A. will offer a competitive edge to job seekers.

Location. Where can I work?  When can I work?
Anywhere. Anytime. Libraries, research institutions and corporations are located all over the world. 24/7 hours exist in many organizations. Opportunities for foreign travel and job exchanges are possible.

How much will I be a subject specialist? How much a librarian or information professional?
This depends on your interests and your job. You can choose a job where you will plan exhibits, create digital resources, instruct users, develop or market information products, select and organize research materials or manage information, all in your subject area.

Will the dual-degree program be worthwhile for jobs in other professions?
Yes. The skills from both Master’s degrees can be assets for jobs in publishing, research, sales, nonprofits and corporations. The increased digitization of information has created jobs at all levels. Both management and technical positions require information skills. Examples of some job titles are business analyst, online publishing executive, subject editor, association director, and communications coordinator.