Master of Library Science - School Media Specialist

Students who choose this specialization must have, prior to admission, either a permanent, provisional or initial, professional New York State Teaching Certificate.

The program emphasizes the development knowledge and skills needed to teach information literacy to the K-12 school community, to foster collaborative partnerships with the school's faculty and administration, to motivate and guide students in these settings in the use of information and materials, and to evaluate and select materials that promote and support the information needs of this specialized clientele.

Of the 36 credits needed for the M.L.S. degree, 33 are required, thus leaving only three credits (one course) as elective.

Graduates designated as School Media Specialist (Library) are associated with media centers attached to educational institutions. In this context, they serve the needs of students (K–12) and parents for informational, educational, and recreational materials as well as the needs of teachers, administrators and other personnel seeking information and materials related to their professional responsibilities. By definition, School Media Specialists (Library) must be competent in matching the most appropriate communication media to instructional, developmental, and recreational needs.

Following completion of all courses for graduation, Queens College- through its Office of Certification- will, if the student wishes, forward all required materials to the New York State Department of Education for securing the individual’s certification.

Core (required) courses:

GLIS 700 The Technology of Information
GLIS 701 Fundamentals of Library and Information Science
GLIS 702 Information Sources and Service: General
GLIS 703 Introduction to Technical Services

Other required courses:

GLIS 709 Research and Bibliographic Methods (After completion of 25 credits)
GLIS 737 Literature for Children and Adolescents
GLIS 761 Organization and Management: Media Centers (25 hours of field work)
GLIS 763 Nonbook Materials: Sources and Service (25 hours of field work)
GLIS 765 Resources for the School Curriculum (25 hours of field work)
GLIS 767 Reading Motivation Techniques for Children and Adolescents (25 hours of field work)
GLIS 795 Internship (150 hours divided between elementary and secondary schools)
One elective course