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Library Media and Information Technologies

[1] Objectives

The goal of the graduate program in library media and information technologies is to prepare individuals for professional positions in a variety of information and educational settings. The Library Media and Information Technologies program, located within the Department of Leadership Studies, is designed for individuals who may be (1) planning careers in school library media centers at the elementary, middle, and secondary district levels and at regional educational cooperatives and (2) planning careers as children and youth librarians in public, college, and special information centers.

To achieve this goal, the program seeks to create an environment in which students

  1. Acquire attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to practice their chosen profession;
  2. Become cognizant of the human relation attitudes, knowledge, and skills required to develop, operate, and access information and instructional systems effectively;
  3. Develop professional competencies to higher levels of proficiency and in new areas of interest;
  4. Are encouraged to pursue life-long learning through information and instruction-related professional organizations; and
  5. Recognize the need to continuously evaluate and implement information and instruction-related programs in response to social, economic, and technological changes.

Objectives established for this program reflect specific outcome expectations of those students who complete the Master of Science degree in Library Media and Information Technologies. At an acceptable professional level, graduates should be able to

  1. Articulate a philosophy of library media services which reflects an integration of principles of library science, educational media, and instructional design;
  2. Design, implement, and market for specified client populations programs of services which further the objectives of the organization by integrating them into the total programming of the institution;
  3. Apply principles of management, including planning, to the operation of the library;
  4. Select and build a quality collection of resources and equipment that meets the educational objectives of the organization, promotes intellectual freedom, and meets clients’ needs and purposes;
  5. Organize and maintain collections of resources and equipment for efficient use reflecting the application of the latest uses of technologies;
  6. Provide instructional opportunities, including bibliographic instruction, for various client populations as appropriate;
  7. Use information technologies and networks to acquire and share information and for reference and referral services;
  8. Analyze research data and use this information to assess and solve library and/or information related problems;
  9. Work with other professionals to address instructional and curricular problems, including those involved in establishing activities that enable the patron to increasingly assume responsibilities for planning, understanding, and assessing their own learning, to implement student learning activities reflecting different learning styles, and to ensure a variety of learning environments;
  10. Incorporate into programming the resource and service needs of all users (e.g., the culturally diverse, the exceptional populations, the disabled); and
  11. Recognize the importance of practicing effective leadership and interpersonal relationships within the educational, local, and professional communities.

[2] Program Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the degree program in library media and information technologies, an individual must

  1. Meet the general admission requirements of the Graduate School;
  2. Provide the Leadership Studies Department with copies of transcripts of all previous academic work;
  3. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores to the Graduate School OR, Praxis I scores or valid standard educator license to the Leadership Studies Department;
  4. Provide copies of teaching licensure to the Leadership Studies Department (if applying for licensure in School Library Media).

Enrollment in regular courses, workshops, or special programs does not imply automatic admission to the degree program. No action will be taken relative to admission until all materials/information are received. Admission materials/information should be received by the department prior to registration for the second term of course work.

Submission of an application and its approval constitutes an agreement by the individual to accept any practicum assignments in locations where the objectives of practicum experiences can be met. Failure to accept practicum assignments relieves the department and the university of responsibility relating to the individual’s practicum experience or program of study.

A maximum of six semester hours of graduate degree credit with grades of “B” or above may be transferred from another UCA graduate program or another regionally accredited institution. Candidates must specifically request consideration of transfer work completed prior to admission to the program. After admission to the program, approval to transfer work from another institution must be approved prior to enrolling in the courses. No internship hours may be transferred.

[3] Research and Culminating Experience Policies

As a culminating experience in the graduate preparatory programs, candidates must satisfactorily complete a program portfolio and present satisfactory scores on the appropriate PRAXIS II examination (for teaching licensure in School Library Media) or on the written comprehensive examination. The program portfolio must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to meet competencies as outlined by the program goals, the American Library Association (ALA), and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). The program portfolio must reflect the candidate’s ability to assimilate competencies demonstrating growth and the ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze data and information. The PRAXIS II examination should be taken the semester prior to the semester in which the candidate plans to graduate. The comprehensive written examination will be scheduled during the candidate’s last semester of work.

Programs in the College of Education that leads to licensure relating to P-12 schools require a passing score on the appropriate Praxis exam(s) and satisfactory completion of all key assessments identified by the program area. Candidates cannot complete their program unless both of these criteria have been met.

[4] Program Requirements

Candidates pursuing the Master of Science degree in Library Media and Information Technologies must complete thirty six semester hours of coursework.

[4.1] Library Media and Information Technologies Program

This program has been nationally recognized by ALA/AASL. The following courses are required of all students pursuing a degree program in Library Media and Information Technologies.

[4.1.1] Core Courses (24 Hours)

LEAD 6321 Research Methods
LIBM 6380 Administration of Information Programs
LIBM 6320 Introduction to Library & Information Sciences
LIBM 6360 Collection Development
LIBM 6332 Cataloging and Classification I
LIBM 6370 Issues and Trends in Children’s, Juvenile, and Young Adult Literature
LIBM 6371 Developing Information Programs for Children and Youth and LIBM 6330 Reference Services

[4.1.2] Technology Courses (6 Hours)

ITEC 6368 Technology Planning and Leadership
ITEC 6340 Design and Production of Media

[4.1.3] School Library Media Specialization Courses (6 Hours)

LIBM 6353 Teaching and Learning in the School Library Media Center
LIBM 6390 Practicum

[4.1.4] Arkansas Teaching Licensure Information

A teaching license is required as a prerequisite to recommendation for Arkansas licensure as a school library media specialist. Candidates must also provide evidence to establish past or present employment in a P-12 academic setting (two years minimum experience required). Candidates wishing to expand their Arkansas licensure to P-12 Library Media Specialist are required to split their practicum hours (60 clock hours at the elementary level and 60 clock hours at the secondary level).

[4.2] Retention Requirements

To be recommended for a degree, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  1. Complete all required course work with at least a 3.00 GPA with a maximum of six hours of “C’ grades;
  2. Complete satisfactorily all student assessments required as part of the state and NCATE accreditation process;
  3. Complete satisfactorily the program required exit portfolio;
  4. Present score report on the state mandated external national examination and meet at least the minimum score set by the state for licensure; and
  5. Present other documentation that is required by the state in order for the department to recommend you for the appropriate license.

[4.3] Continuous Enrollment Requirement

College of Education graduate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment throughout their program of study until achieving program completion. Specifically, College of Education graduate students are expected to be enrolled in at least two of the three semesters in a given calendar year (Spring, Summer I or II, and Fall). If a student must take a time-out, the student is expected to notify his/her home department. If a student fails to register for more than one semester out of three in a given calendar year, he/she may be ineligible for readmission unless granted by the home department.

[5] Graduate Courses in Library Media and Information Technologies (LIBM)

Follow this link for LIBM course descriptions: course link.