MASTER OF LIBRARY SCIENCE DEGREE
Elsie Okobi, Program Coordinator
Tel. (203) 392-5709.
E-mail: okobie1@SouthernCT.edu
The Master of Library Science degree requires completion of a total of 36 credits (or approximately 12 courses). To graduate from this program, all students must complete the five core courses (see below) and seven elective courses with a grade of "B" or higher in each course. A course can be repeated once in an effort to achieve a grade of "B" or higher. Failure to receive a grade of "B" or higher in a core course, or if the cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, may result in academic probation and academic dismissal. Students earn credit only once for a repeated course.
Students in the MLS program may take up to three credits outside the program with prior approval; a request to take three credits in an AOT course can expect to receive approval.
The Master of Library Science degree program is accredited by the American Library Association. The school media specialist certification is also approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education and accredited through the School of Education by NCATE. The online MLS program is licensed and accredited by the Board of Governors, Department of Higher Education, State of Connecticut.
Transfer Credit
In addition to university requirements (please consult that section of the catalog), up to 9 transfer credits may be awarded for work completed in other ALA-accredited MLS programs.
Field Project and Independent Study
An application for a field project and/or independent study must be submitted to the department by April 15th for the fall term and November 15th for the spring term. Students must submit a proposal according to the guidelines established by the ILS department. The proposal must be approved by an advisor and accepted by a departmental committee.
Core Requirements
ILS 501 - Introduction to Information Science and Technology
ILS 503 - Foundations of Librarianship
ILS 504 - Reference and Information Resources and Services
ILS 506 - Information Analysis and Organization
ILS 565 - Library Management
ILS 580 - Research in Information and Library Science
Electives
Students choose 18 credits of elective courses in Information and Library Science with the ILS course designation that are suited to their career goals. Up to 3 credits in a cognate area outside the ILS course designation with department approval is permitted. Pre-approval has been given to the following cognate area courses: IDS 553, SED 594, EDF 520, EDU 566.
SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
Nancy Disbrow, Program Coordinator
Tel. (203) 392-5702
E-mail: disbrown1@SouthernCT.edu
Master of Library Science with School Media Certification
This program is designed for students who wish to qualify for a Master of Library Science degree and certification as a school media specialist. Refer to the section entitled "Admission to Teacher Certification Programs" in the beginning of this catalog under "Application and Admission" for additional information regarding acceptance to a certification program, PRAXIS examination, and student teaching. A minimum of 36 credits in library science and instructional technology is required. Additional course work may be needed to meet state certification requirements.
Initial Certification Phase for MLS with School Media Certification
ILS 501 - Introduction to Information Science and Technology
ILS 503 - Foundations of Librarianship
ILS 504 - Reference and Information Resources and Services
ILS 506 - Information Analysis and Organization
ILS 511 or 512* - Materials and Services for Children/Adolescents
ILS 562 - Management of School Library Media Centers
EDU 566 - Media Utilization and Curriculum
ILS 580 - Research in Information and Library Science
Two electives (Six credits) in technology selected from the following approved courses:
ILS 570 - Utilizing Instructional Media
ILS 575 - Instructional Design Principles
ILS 534 - Technology and Libraries
ILS 539 - Multimedia Interface Design
ILS 655 - Digital Libraries
(other courses may also be approved)
Plus two electives (6 credits)
*As Connecticut School Media is a K12 certification,
it is strongly recommended students take both ILS 511 and ILS 512
Students seeking School Media Certification outside of the state of Connecticut are responsible for contacting the State Department of Education in their home state for verification of that state's school media certification requirements. Students outside of Connecticut wishing to complete Southern's MLS with Connecticut certification program should contact the ILS School Media Certification Program Coordinator prior to submitting a planned program.
The school library media specialist certification program is accredited, through the School of Education, by NCATE.
The Department of Information and Library Science does not offer School Media Certification or Cross-Endorsement in its Sixth Year Certificate Programs. Students seeking School Media Certification should apply to the MLS w/School Media Program. Applicants already holding a Master of Library Science degree may apply to the "Certification Only" program for School Library Media Certification.
(NOTE: Southern Connecticut State University's Department of Information and Library Science and School of Education do not assign or supervise student teaching practicums or internships outside Connecticut.)
School Media Certification Only
This program is designed to provide school media certification to those who already hold an MLS degree and wish to add Connecticut initial certification in School Library Media.
Applicants for "certification only" must meet admission criteria for the MLS with School Media Certification.
Initial Certification Phase
ILS 501 - Introduction to Information Science and Technology
ILS 503 - Foundations of Librarianship
ILS 504 - Reference and Information Resources and Services
ILS 506 - Information Analysis and Organization
ILS 511 or 512* - Materials and Services for Children/Adolescents
ILS 562 - Management of School Library Media Centers
EDU 566 - Media Utilization and Curriculum
Two electives (Six credits) in technology selected from the following approved courses:
ILS 570 - Utilizing Instructional Media
ILS 575 - Instructional Design Principles
ILS 534 - Technology and Libraries
ILS 539 - Multimedia Interface Design
ILS 655 - Digital Libraries
(other courses may also be approved)
Plus one elective (3 credits)
*As Connecticut School Media is a K12 certification,
it is strongly recommended students take both ILS 511 and ILS 512
[NOTE: The above section corrects errors in the 2009-2010 catalog]
The Special Project Requirement
All students enrolled in the MLS degree program are required to complete a Special Project in lieu of a thesis or comprehensive exam as one of the University requirements for graduate degrees. The Special Project proposal is developed in ILS 580 Research in Information and Library Science. Students should see Graduate School's Special Project Proposal guidelines and project requirements on the ILS Website.
The Department of Information and Library Science requires all candidates for the MLS to complete an electronic Capstone Portfolio as one of the exit requirements for the degree. The Capstone Portfolio is a well-organized Web- and CD-deliverable demonstration of the body of work a student completes in the MLS program and how this work relates to professional competencies. The portfolio includes the Special Project and samples of assignments and projects from all courses completed for the MLS degree. See ILS website for Capstone Portfolio template and specifi c guidelines.
The completed Capstone Portfolio is evaluated, using a rubric, by the student's advisor or ILS 580 professor. The approved Capstone Portfolio is submitted to the ILS Department on a CD and kept on fi le for review by faculty and accreditation agencies.
Deadlines for Graduation Application and Special Project Reviews
Degree Application Deadlines:
Check the graduate calendar for graduate degree application deadlines, generally the semester prior to the semester in which you intend to graduate
In order to be eligible for graduation, a student must submit a Graduate Degree Application to the Registrar's Office by the established deadline.
All MLS students must complete the departmental Student MLS Degree Audit Checklist form and file one copy with the department office and one copy with the MLS Program Coordinator within the first two weeks of the semester in which they will complete their program/graduate.
Special Project Reviews:
A complete review of the Capstone Portfolio is required at least two weeks before the end of the semester in which the student expects to graduate.
Upon approval of the Capstone Portfolio/Special Project, the student submits the Portfolio with the Special Project documentation on a CD to the ILS Department office.
Continuous Enrollment, Satisfactory Progression, and Performance Assessment
Continuous Enrollment requires that every graduate student maintain at least six credits toward his or her degree program every calendar year (a minimum of three credits in the fall and spring terms respectively) from the time of acceptance by the School of Graduate Studies until completion of all requirements for the graduate degree. Students must register for a course each semester or pay a continuous enrollment fee. Payment of the continuous enrollment fee permits use of the library, computer facilities, and access to faculty advisors during the period covered by the continuous enrollment fee. Students who fail to maintain continuous enrollment status may lose their status as a matriculated student and may need to reapply to the program.
Continuation in any of the department's graduate programs is contingent upon ongoing positive faculty evaluation of a graduate student's grades, professional or scholarly attributes, performance in real or simulated professional situations, and subjective appraisal of the student's progress and potential. A student may be suspended or dismissed from a graduate program for deficiencies in any of these areas. If, in the professional judgment of the faculty, a student demonstrates practices that are harmful to patrons, unethical, or behaves unprofessionally, he or she will be placed on probation or requested to withdraw from the program.
School Media students must maintain good standing in the program in order to qualify for student teaching and a recommendation from Southern Connecticut State University for State of Connecticut teacher certification. They also must demonstrate the following:
- personal attitudes and attributes that affect her or his performance as a teacher positively;
- professional behavior appropriate to the context which shows a realization that actions reflect directly upon the status and substance of the profession;
- confidentiality of all information concerning colleagues and students obtained in the educational process; and
- integrity and honesty in written and verbal communication, documentation, and coursework related to the professional program for teacher certification.
Time Limitation to Complete Programs
All requirements for a graduate degree must be completed within a period of six years prior to the granting of the master's degree or sixth year diploma. Refer to the section entitled "Time Limitation to Complete Programs" in the beginning of this catalog under "Academic Standards and Regulations" for additional information.
From the 2009-2010 Graduate Catalog
