The master of library and information science program provides professional education for a wide variety of service and management careers in libraries, information agencies, the information industry, and in business, industry, government, research, and similar environments where information is a vital resource. The curriculum is based on present and probable future characteristics of library and information professions, emphasizing the essential knowledge, skill, and professional attitude needed by beginning professionals in these fields.

The courses in the M.L.I.S. program are organized around six themes in the field of library and information science: human information interaction; information access; information and society; information systems; management; and organization of information. Six lead courses based on these themes form the foundation of the curriculum. The curriculum consists of the six lead courses, related central courses, and specialization courses.

The M.L.I.S. program offers basic general knowledge of the field of library and information science with opportunities to specialize in particular areas of the field in preparation for a variety of career outcomes. Following are some examples of career outcomes for the M.L.I.S. degree:
        information broker
        information retrieval specialist/reference librarian
        information subject specialist and archivist
        knowledge manager
        manager of library and information organizations
        medical informatics specialist
        school library media specialist
        technical services librarian
        web librarian
        youth and children`s librarian

The Rutgers program in library and information science is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association, under the Standards for Accreditation, 1992. Its most recent reaccreditation was awarded in 1997.