Mar 28, 2024  
2021-22 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-22 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Library Science, M.L.S.


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Frank Lambert, Program Director
(615) 898-2583
Frank.Lambert@mtsu.edu

The Master of Library Science (M.L.S.) degree is an online program offered by the Womack Educational Leadership Department . The program is intended to prepare graduates to lead and educate in school, public, and corporate libraries.

MTSU’s M.L.S. program is seeking precandidacy status by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association. Precandidacy status is an indication that MTSU’s M.L.S. program has voluntarily committed to participate in the ALA accreditation process and is actively seeking accreditation. Precandidacy does not indicate that the program is accredited nor does it guarantee eventual accreditation of the program by ALA.

Vision of the Library Science Program

MTSU’s Library Science program seeks to produce candidates with strong practitioner credentials. Graduates will possess the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to serve as librarians in any setting in order to enrich the life of the individual and support the progress of society.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the master’s program in Library Science requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
  2. official transcripts from all previous college-and university-level work showing a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75;
  3. three letters of recommendations from professionals;
  4. 500-word essay (Statement of Purpose) regarding applicant’s reasons for seeking the MLS at MTSU.

NOTE: A current teacher’s license or passing score on Praxis I is required for those interested only in school library endorsement.

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies, not the program director.

Applicant must submit

  1. an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
  2. official transcripts of previous college work;
  3. three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential for completing the Master of Library Science degree;
  4. 500-word essay (Statement of Purpose) regarding applicant’s reasons for seeking the MLS at MTSU.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Library Science requires completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours.

Once admitted to the program, candidate must

  1. complete 36 semester hours which includes a 15-hour major field core, a 3-hour library administration course, 9 hours of electives, 6 hours of field experience, and a 3-hour capstone course.
  2. complete an e-portfolio on a web-based site as he/she moves through the program to be assessed by at least two faculty members.

Curriculum: Library Science (36 hours)


The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.

Administration (3 hours)


Field Experience (6 hours) OR Student Teaching (9 hours)


Electives (12 hours)


MLS students must complete 12 elective credit hours from any LIBS 6000-level courses. Non-LIBS courses may be substituted with permission of advisor.

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