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Instruction librarian education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an instruction librarian. Instruction librarians usually study library science, english, or library science and administration. 55% of instruction librarians hold a bachelor's degree, and 38% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 299 real instruction librarian resumes to see exactly what instruction librarian education sections show.
The most common colleges for instruction librarians are the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh.
There are also many online instruction librarian courses to help get the education required to be an instruction librarian.
What education do you need to become an instruction librarian?
What degree do you need to be an instruction librarian?
- Bachelor's, 55%
- Master's, 38%
- Associate, 4%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become an instruction librarian?
- Library Science, 18%
- English, 18%
- History, 8%
- Other Majors, 39%
Most common colleges for instruction librarians
| Instruction librarian common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh | 10.53% |
| University of South Florida | 7.89% |
| Florida State University | 7.89% |
| Indiana University South Bend | 7.89% |
| University of Wisconsin Colleges | 6.58% |
Best majors for instruction librarians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Library Science | 18.0% |
| 2 | English | 18.0% |
| 3 | Library Science And Administration | 17.0% |
| 4 | History | 8.2% |
| 5 | Information Sciences | 5.7% |
Best colleges for instruction librarians
The best colleges for instruction librarians are New York University, Northwestern University, and University of California - Los Angeles.
An instruction librarian with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for instruction librarians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become instruction librarians.
1. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
2. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
3. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
4. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Enrollment
21,404
5. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,853
Enrollment
14,759
6. Louisiana State University and A&M College
Baton Rouge, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,950
Enrollment
23,468
7. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
9. Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,244
Enrollment
15,557
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
20 best online courses for instruction librarians
Advertising disclosure
1. Java Class Library
Java Class Library is the fourth and final course in the Core Java Specialization. The Core Java Specialization is part of a series of programming specializations, derived from LearnQuest's private Java Bootcamps, designed to provide the skill set necessary to be hired as an IT developer using Java in many corporate environments. After completing this course, you will be able to write reusable code that remains type-safe using Java Generics, work with collections of objects, work with files,...
2. Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom
Welcome to Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom! This course will help you apply strategies to the critical areas of K-12 virtual instruction to significantly impact virtual education. We will examine the pitfalls beginning teachers run into and learn how to overcome them by focusing on the fundamentals that have the greatest impact on student learning in a blended or online environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to empower your students to be voracious...
3. Instructional Design for ELearning
Designing Successful ELearning Courses. Learn from a multi-award-winning instructional designer...
4. The complete Instructional Designer course
Learn the skills to become an e Learning Instructional Designer for Corporate Learning and Development...
5. Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education
This course provides those involved in educating members of the health professions an asynchronous, interdisciplinary, and interactive way to obtain, expand, and improve their teaching skills. These skills can then be applied within their own professional context, with a variety of learners, extending across many stages. After completing this course, learners will: 1. Understand educational theory as it relates to health professions education 2. Match instructional methods with desired...
6. Foundations of Virtual Instruction
Welcome to Foundations of Virtual Instruction! This course will help you 'up' your game and develop the advanced skills and techniques that elude even some of the most experienced virtual teachers in the K-12 space. Examine pitfalls and learn how to overcome them by focusing on the fundamentals that have the most significant impact on student learning in a blended or online environment. When you complete this course, you will be able to: • Craft virtual learning experiences that align with your...
7. Instructional Design for Classroom Training
Design effective and engaging in-person classroom training sessions and learning experiences from scratch...
8. Instructional Design Pro (Part 1): No Beginners Allowed!
Write Golden Training Curriculum that's Easier to Learn and More Enjoyable to Teach...
9. Instructional Planning with Genially
Genially is “the tool that brings content to life.” Genially allows you to map out a learning journey for your students using high interest images and interactive tools. But did you know that Genially is also a wonderful tool for organizing your lessons and units. With Genially, you can plan and organize your units in one central place, simplifying your planning process with templates created with teachers in mind! Throughout this project, we will work together to build your confidence using...
10. Advanced Information Literacy
This course is designed to build upon a learner's search skills and expertise in the information literacy concepts that underpin scholarship at college or university. This badge incentivizes them to continue improving their information literacy competencies over their academic and workplace career. By participating in this course, one can use these advanced search skills to save time conducting literature reviews, efficiently gather and organize information, ethically use sources, and protect...
11. Instructional Design Pro (Part 3): No Beginners Allowed!
Write Golden Training Curriculum that's Easier to Learn and More Enjoyable to Teach...
12. Instructional Design Pro (Part 2): No Beginners Allowed!
Write Golden Training Curriculum that's Easier to Learn and More Enjoyable to Teach...
13. Easy Instructional Harmonium for Yoga, Kirtans, Meditations
Easy instructional harmonium for yoga classes, kirtans and personal meditations...
14. Instructional Design for Corporate Learning and Development
Giving you the tools to design and deliver on-point, effective corporate training programs...
15. The Perfect Golf Swing - Timeless Golf Instruction
Absolutely the best golf videos ever made, period. 99% of golf instruction is utter nonsense...
16. React Testing Library and Jest: The Complete Guide
A complete, all-in-one guide to fully testing your React projects using React Testing Library and Jest...
17. The React Testing Library Bootcamp - The Developer Guide
Learn how to test your React application with React Test Library and Jest...
18. Testing React apps with React Testing Library (RTL)
Learn how to test React components with React Testing Library, the recommended library from Facebook for testing...
19. Testing React with Jest and React Testing Library (RTL)
Learn best practices for testing your apps with Jest and React Testing Library. All code written via TDD!...
20. Master the FTCE Reading K-12
Instruction and Practice on the 44 Skills Needed to Pass the FTCE Reading K-12 Exam...
Top 10 most affordable universities for instruction librarians
The most affordable schools for instruction librarians are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and florida state university.
If the best universities for instruction librarians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for instruction librarians.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus
San Juan, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
11,299
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
9. Southern University at New Orleans
New Orleans, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,033
Cost of attendance
12,702
10. University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$7,002
Cost of attendance
22,326
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for instruction librarians
The hardest universities for instruction librarians to get into are New York University, Northwestern University, and University of California - Los Angeles.
Some great schools for instruction librarians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for instruction librarians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
14%
SAT average
1,423
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
5. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,390
6. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,367
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
Admissions rate
49%
SAT average
1,347
9. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
10. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for instruction librarians
The easiest schools for instruction librarians to get into are University of Baltimore, oklahoma wesleyan university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an instruction librarian without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for instruction librarians.
1. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Washington Adventist Hospital
Takoma Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
958
5. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
6. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
7. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
8. St. Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN • Private
Admissions rate
73%
SAT average
1,124
9. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,148
10. Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Clarion, PA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
1,041
Average instruction librarian salary by education level
| Instruction librarian education level | Instruction librarian salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $59,188 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $48,735 |
| Doctorate Degree | $64,306 |
Instruction librarian education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025