Library Science, M.L.S.

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

an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
official transcripts from all previous college-and university-level work showing a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75;
three letters of recommendations from professionals;
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

an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
official transcripts of previous college work;
three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential for completing the Master of Library Science degree;
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

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.
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.

Major Field Core (15 hours)

LIBS 6000 - Librarianship 3 credit hours
LIBS 6010 - Collection Development and User Services 3 credit hours
LIBS 6015 - Reference Materials and Process 3 credit hours
LIBS 6020 - Organization of Information 3 credit hours
LIBS 6060 - Understanding Research for Evaluation in Libraries 3 credit hours

Administration (3 hours)

LIBS 6105 - School Library Management 3 credit hours OR
LIBS 6100 - Management of Libraries 3 credit hours

Field Experience (6 hours)

LIBS 6550 - Supervised Field Experience in Library Science 3 to 6 credit hours (take twice)
NOTE: Those seeking an initial teaching license should consult with the program director and licensure office.

Capstone (3 hours)

LIBS 6900 - Skills and Issues in the Library 3 credit hours

Electives (9 hours)

Select three courses from the following:

LIBS 6310 - Materials for Literacy of Children 3 credit hours
LIBS 6311 - Materials for Literacy of Young People and Adults 3 credit hours
LIBS 6320 - Information Searching Strategies 3 credit hours
LIBS 6330 - Digital Library Collections 3 credit hours
LIBS 6340 - Integration of Learning Theory, Programs, and Technology 3 credit hours

Program Notes

Candidate must

file a degree plan with the College of Graduate Studies prior to entry into the program;
file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the semester in which the student intends to graduate