Master of Library Science in Library Science, General (Concentration: School Libraries)

Course Requirements • Program Delivery • Admissions

The Department of Leadership and Educational Studies offers an NCATE-accredited Master of Library Science (MLS) degree. The MLS degree is approved by the NC Department of Public Instruction and reflects Media Coordinator (School Librarian) competencies required by the State as well as Public Librarian Certification competencies of the NC Public Librarian Certification Commission, depending on the concentration pursued by the student. The MLS program prepares graduates to provide library and information technology services in K-12 school library media centers and in public libraries. The program emphasizes the interdependency of all libraries and other types of information agencies in meeting the needs of citizens in a democratic society.

Through the Office of Extension and Distance Education, the Reich College of Education provides this degree program at selected off-campus settings throughout western NC. (For a listing of locations of upcoming programs, see Proposed New Programs.)

Courses taught by Appalachian in the Off-Campus Library Science Program

LIB 5010	Building Library and Media Center Collections
LIB 5020	Information Sources and Services
LIB 5030	Cataloging and Classification
LIB 5040	Management of the School Library Media Center
LIB 5050	Information and Management Technology in Libraries and Educational Media Centers
LIB 5080	The School Library Media Program
LIB 5140	Electronic Research
LIB 5160	Critical Evaluation of Library Media for Young Adults
LIB 5190	Critical Evaluation for Library Media for Children
LIB 5045	Administration of the Public Library
LIB 5155	Mystery Genre
LIB 5170	Storytelling
LIB 5180	Multicultural Literature
LIB 5525	Product of Learning
LIB 5900	Internship / Practicum
FDN 5000	Research Methods
Hours required = 37 - 39

Off-Campus Program Delivery:

The courses required for the MLS degree will be delivered to the designated off-campus site. Appalachian State University faculty will teach each course; and, a combination of instructional strategies and course delivery systems may be employed. The modes of delivery may include: the instructor's being present at the site; web-based instruction; and/or live interactive two-way, audio-video sessions via the North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH) network. Generally, two courses will be provided each term. Face-to-face courses will be conducted either during the evenings (e.g., 5:00-7:45 pm one evening a week for 15 weeks) or on weekends (e.g, Friday evenings and Saturday mornings). Attendance and participation in appropriate field trips and professional conferences wil be expected as a part of the program. The off-campus MLS offerings will be cohort-based, meaning the group of identified students who enter this program will begin together and continue together through the specified sequence of required courses leading to the degree.

Requirements for Admission:

In order to be considered for admission to this program an individual must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Certain MLS tracks require NC "A" teacher licensure or the equivalent from another state. Students without "A" level teacher licensure may complete additional course work to earn "M" level license to work in a school library media center. In addition to the application form, applicants must present Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores as well as three letters of recommendation. A candidate will be selected based upon the strength of her/his undergraduate career, GRE or MAT test scores, and endorsements expressed in the letters of recommendation.

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