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Academics

Master of Education (Library Media and Information Specialist)
Department:

College of Education

Hours Required: 30
Categories: Graduate
Completion Time: 2 years *
Delivery:Hybrid

* Based on 2 classes per semester including summer

The graduate program in library media and information specialist is committed to providing students with skills and knowledge basic to the profession of school library media, meeting the requirement for library media certification/licensure in Arkansas. It is incumbent upon students from other states to determine the licensing requirements in their state. It is one of only three LMIS programs in the state of Arkansas and is recognized by the American Library Association and the Association of American School Librarians as a degree program.  SAU’s LMIS program recently earned a top ten ranking nationally by GraduatePrograms.com.  Candidates pursuing certification in the state of Arkansas must meet the requirements as set forth by the state of Arkansas in order to receive licensure.

 

Learning Goals

  1. Candidates engage in scholarly research activities such as action research or program evaluation to solve authentic problems. Teachers seek advice of others and draw on education research and scholarship to improve their practice.
  2. Candidates model leadership and communication strategies that promote valuing diversity throughout the community. Teachers recognize individual differences in their students and adjust their practice accordingly.
  3. Candidates design and modify instruction and the learning environment based on assessment of student learning and behavior. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
  4. Candidates employ technologies including communications, productivity and presentation applications to enhance their collaborations. Teachers regularly assess student progress.
  5. Candidates design and modify instruction and the learning environment based on assessment of student learning and behavior. Teachers command specialized knowledge of how to convey a subject to students.

manage, meta, data, analyst, researcher, resources, specialist, documentation, creative, project

Required courses in the Library Media and Information Specialist program include

  • Management and Evaluation of Media Programs (summer online, even years)
  • Information Access (summer online, even years)
  • Collection Management and Development (summer intensive, even years)
  • Integration of Library Resources into the Curriculum (summer online, odd years)
  • Instructional Design and Production (summer intensive, odd years)
  • Introduction to Librarianship (fall online, spring online)
  • Library Materials for Children and Young Adults (spring online, yearly)
  • Practicum in P-12 Library Media (fall online, yearly)

Each candidate for the master’s degree in library media and information specialist must complete 30 semester hours including 6 semester hours of core education subjects plus an additional 24 hours of library specialization courses.

Each candidate for the non-degree seeking licensure program must complete 24 hours of library specialization courses.

Library Media and Information Specialist Core Courses (24 credit hours)

LMIS 6013 Management and Evaluation of Media Programs
LMIS 6023 Information Access
LMIS 6033 Collection Management and Development
LMIS 6043 Integration of Library Resources into the Curriculum
LMIS 6053 Instructional Design and Production
LMIS 6083 Library Materials for Children and Young Adults
LMIS 6073 Introduction to Librarianship
LMIS 6203 Practicum in K-12 Library Media

Professional Education (6 credit hours) selected from the following:

EDUC 6103 The Teaching of Reading
EDUC 6153 Balanced Literacy
S ED 6213 Secondary School Curriculum
E ED 6013 Elementary School Curriculum
EDUC 6853 Multimedia for Educators
E ED 6043 Seminar in Elementary Education
S ED 6253 Seminar in Secondary Education
EDUC 6403 School Law
EDUC 6063 Applications of Technology in Education
EDUC 6043 Current Issues and Trends in Education
EDUC 5203 Strategies for Content Area Reading

I made the decision to begin working on a Masters degree immediately after completing my Bachelors of Science in Education. I knew that I wanted to continue my education at SAU, because I was already familiar with the staff, the learning management system, and the policies and procedures. I chose the Library Media and Information Specialist program for my Masters of Education. I felt that the school library would be the perfect place for me to continue teaching and helping students establish a love for reading, while also providing them with experiences in technology and makerspaces. It would also give me an opportunity to collaborate with content area teachers who want to incorporate literacy skills into their lessons. Being able to take courses online has been a great benefit, as I am currently teaching in a third grade classroom. I was also able to participate in a library makeover in an area school last summer, which I feel was a valuable experience for me. Ms. Terrell, the LMIS Program Coordinator and my advisor, has always been available to help me with scheduling my courses and creating a degree plan that works well for me. I am excited about completing my Masters in LMIS and becoming a teacher librarian. SAU truly is home for me! Katy Hicks Nix Magnolia, AR
Katy Hicks, Magnolia, AR
Katy Hicks

 

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100 E. University, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753-5000 Telephone: (870) 235-4000