at Southern Arkansas University
Average Graduate Tuition and Fees Per Year | ||
In-State | Out-of-State | |
SAU | $6,894 | $9,810 |
Arkansas | $7,702* | $13,663* |
Texas | $7,502* | $16,686* |
Louisiana | $9,748* | $19,310* |
*Tuition and fees are calculated as an average of public four-year universities’ published tuition and fees. Source: Department of Education
Our programs are routinely recognized as the best value programs nationally. SAU offers out-of-state tuition waivers to students from Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas who chose to live in university housing or reside in a bordering Texas county or Louisiana parish.
About the Program
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 |
| Department: | |
| 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Candidates employ technologies including communications, productivity and presentation applications to enhance their collaborations. Teachers regularly assess student progress.
- 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.
Program Contact
Chrystal Burkes earn her master’s degree in Library Media and Information Specialist from SAU in 2018. Inspired by her graduate courses, she took on additional leadership roles, such as coordinating a school-wide digital citizenship event and heading a weekly technology training program for teachers and staff.
She also coordinated multiple school activities, including the annual spelling bee and Read Across America events to promote literacy. This work earned her the honor of being named Bryant Teacher of the Year for 2017-2018. Eventually, Burkes progressed to being named Teacher of the Year for her co-op area, and later was named a top-four semifinalist for Arkansas Teacher of the Year. That same year, she was also awarded Little Rock Family magazine’s 2019 Amazing Educator Award.
In August 2018, Burkes became the Library Media Specialist at Parkway Elementary in Bryant, where she has continued to bring innovative and engaging lessons to her students every day by incorporating technology, real-world examples and student interest into her lessons. Her goal is to help all students and teachers become educated citizens and positive contributors not only in their classrooms, but ultimately in society.
About SAU
Southern Arkansas University offers personalized tour visits, faculty and staff who care about student success, and a caring campus community. SAU also offers traditional and unique academic degree programs that are ranked nationally for quality and affordability.
Nestled in a quiet and beautiful part of south Arkansas, SAU is a great place to call home and to study a broad range of academic programs, including some unique offerings to the state and region. Along with boasting a complete college experience on campus, the University is a short drive from outdoor activities and is central to many regional hubs, such as Texarkana, Shreveport, Little Rock, etc.
Established in 1909, SAU has built on its dedication to student achievement and continues to grow, both on campus and online, with more than 80 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies.
