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School Library Media K-12 - M.L.I.S.

School librarians‍ typically work with students in a school library or media center. The daily job responsibilities of a school library media specialist tend to reflect the roles of teacher, instructional partner, administrator and information specialist. You will take an active role in teaching information literacy skills, collaborating with teachers, assisting with curriculum resources and integrating technology into the curriculum.

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Master's Degree in School Library Media K-12

Kent State University’s Master’s Degree in School Library Media K-12 prepares students to become certified school librarians and media specialists. The program focuses on developing skills in managing school libraries, integrating technology, promoting literacy, and supporting educational programs. Students learn how to curate resources, teach information literacy, and foster a love for reading and learning among K-12 students. The degree blends library science with educational theory, preparing graduates to play a critical role in the academic success of students.

Program Information for School Library Media K-12 - M.L.I.S.

Program Description
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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 at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for School Library Media K-12 - M.L.I.S.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international 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)
  • 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 to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

In calculating the total GPA, all grades from all 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.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

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.

Learning Outcomes

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

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

Major Requirements
CI 67310THEORY AND PRACTICE IN THE TEACHING OF READING 3
CI 67330READING IN CONTENT AREAS 3
ETEC 57427TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING 3
ETEC 57400TRENDS IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY 3
LIS 60020INFORMATION ORGANIZATION 3
LIS 60030PEOPLE IN THE INFORMATION ECOLOGY 3
LIS 60050RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE 3
LIS 60607SCHOOL LIBRARY MANAGEMENT 3
LIS 60617INFORMATION LITERACY FOR YOUTH 3
LIS 60624CATALOGING FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES 3
LIS 60626ENGAGING TEENS 3
LIS 60629ENGAGING SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN 3
LIS 60630REFERENCE SOURCES AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH 3
LIS 60676TEACHING STRATEGIES AND METHODS IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES 3
SPED 53050CHARACTERISTICS 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 60892CULMINATING EXPERIENCE FOR DUAL DEGREE 6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:57

Graduation Requirements

  • Students in M.Ed. degree have six years from the 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.

Coursework
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Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (min C grade required in all courses)
LIS 60020INFORMATION ORGANIZATION 3
LIS 60030PEOPLE IN THE INFORMATION ECOLOGY 3
LIS 60050RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE 3
LIS 60607SCHOOL LIBRARY MANAGEMENT 3
LIS 60617INFORMATION LITERACY FOR YOUTH 3
LIS 60624CATALOGING FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES 3
LIS 60626ENGAGING TEENS 3
LIS 60629ENGAGING SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN 3
LIS 60630REFERENCE 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 60099MASTER'S PORTFOLIO IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE 1
LIS 60792CULMINATING EXPERIENCE PRACTICUM IN K-12 LIBRARIES 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:37

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
3.000
  • An electronic portfolio is required to obtain licensure in K-12 School Library Media
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

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 Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • Fully online
Accreditation for School Library Media K-12 - M.L.I.S.

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)

Options for Study

We offer a few flexible options, depending on your credentials and experience in educational settings. 

For students who have a teaching credential:

For students who do not have a teaching credential:

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for School Library Media K-12 - M.L.I.S.

Graduates of Kent State University’s Master’s Degree in School Library Media K-12 can pursue careers as school librarians, media specialists, or technology coordinators in K-12 educational settings. They may also work as instructional resource managers or educational technology consultants, supporting teachers and students with access to information and digital tools. This degree prepares professionals to make a significant impact on student learning and information literacy in schools.

Librarians and media collections specialists

5.0%

faster than the average

146,500

number of jobs

$60,820

potential earnings

Educational instruction and library workers, all other

4.4%

about as fast as the average

141,400

number of jobs

$41,570

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes 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.
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