Library Science, MLS

Program Coordinator: Vanessa Irvin (104-C Ragsdale Hall; 252-737-3847; irvinv22@ecu.edu)

The Library Science, MLS is a 100% online degree program designed for students seeking employment as librarians and information professionals in Pre K-12 schools, universities, community colleges, public libraries, archives, special collections, and related settings. Students in the school and public librarianship concentrations are eligible for NC public library certification upon completion of the MLS degree requirements. Students in other concentrations may take these courses as electives. Three core courses (9 s.h.) are required of all students and an additional 27 s.h. are required for each concentration.

The degree requires a minimum requirement of 36 s.h. as follows:

1. Core - 9 s.h.

2. Concentrations - 27 s.h.

Select one concentration from below:

a. Academic Librarianship

b. Public Librarianship

LIBS 6026 - Organization of Information in Libraries
LIBS 6048 - Collection Development
LIBS 6865 - Community Engagement
LIBS 7050 - Seminar on Public Libraries
Materials and Programming Requirement (Select one course):
LIBS 6133 - Library Materials and Programming for Early Childhood or
LIBS 6135 - Library Materials and Programming for Children or
LIBS 6137 - Library Materials and Programming for Young Adults or
LIBS 7160 - Responding to Reading in Libraries
12 s.h. of approved electives

c. School Librarianship

The following courses are required for public school licensure:

LIBS 6026 - Organization of Information in Libraries
LIBS 6048 - Collection Development
LIBS 6142 - Instructional Foundations of the School Library Media Program
LIBS 6144 - Instructional Strategies and Leadership for School Media Specialists
LIBS 6991 - School Library Internship: Seminar
Materials and Programming Requirement (Select one course):
LIBS 6135 - Library Materials and Programming for Children or
LIBS 6137 - Library Materials and Programming for Young Adults
9 s.h. of approved electives

Notes:

The 076 Media Coordinator license also requires a satisfactory score on the Media Coordinator Praxis/NTE (National Teacher’s exam). LIBS 6989 - School Culture Observations and Educational Theory is a prerequisite for students seeking media coordinator licensure and lacking an initial teaching licensure. Prospective school pathway applicants who hold an undergraduate degree or graduate degree in another discipline must complete the full MLS degree requirements, as specified above (39 or 42 s.h.).
Applicants holding a graduate degree in library science who are seeking school licensure are required to submit transcripts for evaluation. Upon review, a course of study will be determined to meet the competencies of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the American Association of School Librarians of the American Library Association working with the Council for Educator Preparation.

d. Archives and Cultural Heritage Informatics

LIBS 6860 - Introduction to Archives and Cultural Heritage Informatics
LIBS 6863 - Archival Arrangement and Description
LIBS 6864 - Research Literacy in Community-Based Archives
LIBS 6867 - Preservation Management for Archives and Heritage-Based Collections
Digital Records Requirement (Select one course):
LIBS 6852 - Stewardship of Digital Collections or
LIBS 6862 - Web Archiving or
LIBS 6868 - Personal Information Management
12 s.h. of approved electives

Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

All ECU graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment requirement. This program requires that all MLS and licensure students complete a portfolio as the culminating capstone product for their degree. The portfolio includes an artifact from each required LIBS course and a reflection for each artifact. The portfolio is reviewed as a requirement for graduation. Each student posts their course artifacts to a Taskstream portfolio as they complete the core and required concentration courses. The artifacts are designated assignments in each course that demonstrate a mastery of professional skills, abilities, and dispositions required for practice in the profession. A reflection essay associated with each artifact acts as a record of the student’s self-assessment, explaining how each artifact demonstrates mastery of the learning objectives and related professional standards for each course. Students must pass the final portfolio to obtain the MLS degree.

Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina

The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and other Graduate Programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you’ll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply.