University of Southern Mississippi

What you'll study

The programme combines foundations in librarianship and information organisation with practical training in technology, management and user services. Core topics typically include:

• Introduction to Librarianship – history and philosophy of libraries, ethics and the role of libraries in communities.
• Cataloguing and Classification – descriptive cataloguing, metadata standards (e.g. MARC, Dublin Core), subject analysis and classification systems such as Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress.
• Reference and Information Services – reference interview techniques, information literacy instruction and research support for diverse user groups.
• Collection Development and Management – selection policies, acquisitions, budgeting and assessment of collections.
• Children’s and Young Adult Services – programming, readers’ advisory and materials selection for youth services.
• Information Technology for Libraries – integrated library systems, digital libraries, databases, preservation of digital content and basic web technologies.
• Archives and Special Collections – records management, appraisal, arrangement and description of archival materials and outreach for special collections.
• Management and Administration – human resources, supervisory skills, policy development and strategic planning for library operations.
• Practicum / Internship – supervised placement in a public, school, academic or special library to apply classroom learning in a workplace setting.

Elective options often allow students to focus on digital curation, youth services, school library support or archival practice. The programme emphasises hands-on projects, practicum experience and opportunities to work with the university’s own library and archival holdings.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised secondary school diploma or equivalent and meet the university’s general admission criteria. Typical requirements include:

• A strong academic record in secondary education; specific grade requirements are set by the university admissions office.
• Proficiency in English, demonstrated through previous study; international applicants may need to provide English language test scores according to university policy.
• Recommended background in reading, writing and basic information technology; coursework in humanities or social sciences is advantageous.
• Some programmes may request a personal statement describing interest in librarianship, and contact details for a reference.

Transfer students and mature applicants with relevant workplace experience are considered; credits from related post-secondary study may be eligible for transfer subject to university regulations.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of entry- to mid-level roles in the information sector. Common career paths include:

• Library assistant or technician in public, school, academic or special libraries.
• Children’s or youth services assistant, programming coordinator or literacy outreach worker.
• Archives technician, records management assistant or special collections support staff.
• Digital collections assistant or metadata/cataloguing technician in cultural heritage organisations.
• Information support specialist in government, non-profit or corporate settings.

Many graduates use the bachelor’s degree as preparation for a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent professional qualification required for certificated librarian roles, including school librarianship, depending on state certification pathways.

Why study at University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi offers close links between its undergraduate programme and the university’s library and archival resources, providing practical learning opportunities on campus. Students benefit from faculty with professional experience in libraries, archives and information technology, and from supervised practicum placements across the region to gain real-world experience.

The university supports a range of learning modes, including classroom, laboratory and field-based placements, and provides advising for students who plan to continue to graduate study or seek teacher certification for school library roles. Regional partnerships with public and special libraries also help students build professional networks and employment experience while studying.