UBC School of Information is an internationally ranked, multi-disciplinary school that offers one-of-a-kind graduate programs.

We offer five unique graduate degree programs:

  • Master of Archival Studies (MAS)
  • Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS)
  • Dual Master of Archival Studies and Library and Information Studies (MAS/LIS)
  • Master of Arts in Children’s Literature (MACL)
  • Doctor in Philosophy in Library, Archival and Information Studies.

We are one of a few schools in North America offering a stand-alone archival program and one of the world’s top-ranked schools for graduate education in library and information management.

Our school offers a research-intensive study environment with international partnerships and competitive funding at one of the top public universities in the world. Although at a large university, iSchool students at the University of British Columbia have ready access to their professors and a large variety of work-based learning opportunities at local, national and international organizations.

Master's Programs

Our master's programs in library, archival and information studies, and children's literature are multidisciplinary and unique in their fields.
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PhD Program

Our PhD in Library, Archival and Information Studies is a four-year funded program that combines coursework with focused independent study and research.
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Graduate competencies

These graduate competencies serve as clear and measurable learning outcomes for the professional programs within the iSchool: the MLIS, MAS and Dual MAS/MLIS degree programs.

Graduates are able to apply the foundational knowledge and skills of the profession. Specifically, graduates have the ability to:

1.1    Identify, analyze and assess the information needs of diverse individuals, communities and organizations, and respond to those needs through the design, provision and assessment of information resources, services and systems;

1.2    Appraise, organize and manage information for effective preservation, discovery, access and use;

1.3    Apply knowledge of current and emerging technologies to real-world situations, taking into account the perspectives of institutional and community stakeholders;

1.4    Reflect critically and informally on individual and institutional practices and the role of the information professions in society.

Graduates are able to communicate effectively. Specifically, graduates have the ability to:

2.1    Articulate ideas and concepts fluently and thoughtfully in a variety of communication modes;

2.2   Assess, select and employ communication and instructional tools based on an understanding of diverse communicative goals and audiences.

Graduates are able to work effectively in team and institutional settings. Specifically, graduates have the ability to:

3.1    Demonstrate leadership, initiative and effective collaboration within a team and small group settings;

3.2    Apply principles of effective management and decision-making to organizational issues and challenges;

Graduates are able to conduct original research and assessment. Specifically, graduates have the ability to:

4.1    Synthesize and apply existing scholarship from their field of knowledge and from related fields to identify and analyze significant theoretical and practical questions;

4.2   Design and execute programs of inquiry and assessment informed by relevant theory and method.

Graduates are able to represent their chosen profession. Specifically, graduates have the ability to:

5.1    Conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the philosophy, principles and ethics of the profession while maintaining a critical perspective on the role of the professional in society;

5.2    Advocate on behalf of the profession and the diverse constituencies that the profession serves;

5.3    Contribute to the advancement of the field through participation in professional development, teaching, research or community service.