About This Program

Looking to make a difference in K-12 education and library sciences? Kent State University's Master of Library and Information Science degree with a School Library Media focus is the perfect way to jumpstart your career. You'll gain practical skills and hands-on experience that prepare you for professional positions in public, private and charter schools, as well as special libraries and other information agencies. Pair the M.L.I.S. with theM.Ed. in Educational Technologyfor even more opportunities.Read more...

Contact Information

• School Director:Meghan Harper|iSchool@kent.edu| 330-672-2782
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor:U.S. Student|International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • Fully online

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

The M.L.I.S. degree in School Library Media K-12 is approved by the American Library Association and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

^{*职业头衔和劳工数据的来源from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics'Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit thegraduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit theinternational admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale¹
• Official transcript(s)
• Personal statement if total GPA is below 3.0 in highest completed degree¹; statement must address the circumstances that contributed to the GPA and preparation for success in graduate study, in addition to recent professional achievements that indicate an ability to perform at a higher academic level to be considered for conditional admission to the program(Starting with the spring 2024 admission term, a personal statement will no longer be required)
• GRE scores if total GPA is below 3.0 in highest completed degree¹(Starting with the spring 2024 admission term, GRE will no longer be required)
• Résumé or curriculum vita
• Student Profile form
• Application Essay
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 82 MELAB score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 Duolingo English score

¹

在计算总平均绩点,所有成绩courses taken at relevant level (baccalaureate or master's) from all institutions are required.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum 2.750 GPA requirement must submit a statement that addresses the circumstances that contributed to the GPA and preparation for success in graduate study. Applicants should include recent professional achievements that indicate an ability to perform at a higher academic level to be considered for conditional admission to the program.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: April 15
• Spring Semester
  • Application deadline: November 15
• Summer Term
  • Application deadline: March 15

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements (min C grade required in all courses)
LIS 60020	INFORMATION ORGANIZATION	3
LIS 60030	PEOPLE IN THE INFORMATION ECOLOGY	3
LIS 60050	RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE	3
LIS 60607	SCHOOL LIBRARY MANAGEMENT	3
LIS 60617	INFORMATION LITERACY FOR YOUTH	3
LIS 60624	CATALOGING FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES	3
LIS 60626	ENGAGING TEENS	3
LIS 60629	ENGAGING SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN	3
LIS 60630	REFERENCE SOURCES AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH	3
Major Electives, choose from the following:		6
ETEC 57400	TRENDS IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
ETEC 57427	TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING
ETEC 67420	RESEARCH ISSUES IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
ETEC 67425	MANAGING TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
LIS 60675	YOUTH LITERATURE IN THE DIGITAL REALM
Culminating Requirement
LIS 60280	MASTER'S PORTFOLIO IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE	1
LIS 60792	CULMINATING EXPERIENCE PRACTICUM IN K-12 LIBRARIES	3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		37

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum 3.000 overall GPA
• Successful completion of all requirements with a minimum C grade
• An electronic portfolio is required to obtain licensure in K-12 School Library Media

Licensure Information

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. Students should consult their advisors for specific program requirements and refer the Ohio Department of Education–Educator Preparation website for information on assessments specific to licensure type. Applicants interested in obtaining school library media licensure or certification outside the state of Ohio should refer to the requirements established by their state education agencies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Apply the field's foundational theories, principles, values, ethics and skills to everyday practice in a school library context.
2. Critique and synthesize research and identify appropriate research methodologies to solve problems in the school librarianship field.
3. Analyze and engage in the changing cultural, educational and social roles and responsibilities of librarians and the educational environments they work in within the global society.
4. Evaluate systems and technologies relevant to a school librarianship context
5. Identify needs and connect kindergarten-to-grade-12 stakeholders (students, teachers, administrators) and communities with information that engages and empowers them.

Dual Degree with M.Ed. degree in Educational Technology

Student have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.Ed. degree in Educational Technology and the M.L.I.S. degree in School Library Media K-12. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.

The M.Ed./M.L.I.S. dual degree program leads to a multi-age initial licensure in school library media. This program prepares students to work in all types of libraries, including school libraries. The program of study includes professional educational requirements, along with library science and educational technology courses.

Dual Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
CI 67310	THEORY AND PRACTICE IN THE TEACHING OF READING	3
CI 67330	READING IN CONTENT AREAS	3
ETEC 57427	TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING	3
ETEC 57400	TRENDS IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY	3
LIS 60020	INFORMATION ORGANIZATION	3
LIS 60030	PEOPLE IN THE INFORMATION ECOLOGY	3
LIS 60050	RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE	3
LIS 60607	SCHOOL LIBRARY MANAGEMENT	3
LIS 60617	INFORMATION LITERACY FOR YOUTH	3
LIS 60624	CATALOGING FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES	3
LIS 60626	ENGAGING TEENS	3
LIS 60629	ENGAGING SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN	3
LIS 60630	REFERENCE SOURCES AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH	3
LIS 60676	TEACHING STRATEGIES AND METHODS IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES	3
SPED 53050	CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS WITH MILD/MODERATE INTERVENTION NEEDS	3
Dual Degree Electives, choose from the following:		6
ETEC 57403	INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
ETEC 57427	TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING
ETEC 67420	RESEARCH ISSUES IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
ETEC 67425	MANAGING TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
ETEC 67426	MANAGING SCHOOL TECHNOLOGIES
ETEC 67434	EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR EDUCATION
ETEC 67442	DESIGNING ONLINE AND BLENDED COURSES
ETEC 67444	TEACHING ONLINE AND BLENDED COURSES
ETEC 67445	DESIGNING INSTRUCTIONAL AND PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS
LIS 60675	YOUTH LITERATURE IN THE DIGITAL REALM
Additional Library and Information Science (LIS) courses are accepted
Culminating Requirement
LIS 60892	CULMINATING EXPERIENCE FOR DUAL DEGREE	6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		57

Graduation Requirements

• 作为学生。有六年的term of first enrollment to complete the degree.
• Students are responsible for completing licensure paperwork requirements through the College of Education, Health and Human Services near the end of or at the conclusion of their M.L.I.S. degree program. Exam administered by the Evaluation Systems Group of Pearson is required for licensure.

Licensure Information

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. Students should consult their advisors for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website. for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Full Description

The Master of Library and Information Science degree in School Library Media K-12 prepares students to apply for multi-age licensure in school library media. The program curriculum is based in both practice and theory and includes library science and educational technology courses. The theoretical content is aligned with the American Library Association, the American Association of School Librarians national standards and the Ohio state standards for school libraries.

Students are given opportunities to apply their learning in practical environments through a culminating experience and other options. Graduates are prepared to work in all types of libraries.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards atKent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.