IDP-MLS Program Information
MLS Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Library Science Program is to prepare library professionals with the knowledge, skills, and values to succeed in a global multicultural society. The program empowers students to lead and partner in their local, state, national, and global communities.
MLS Program Goals
- To teach the principles, practices and technologies of library science
- To prepare professionals to meet the information needs of individuals and groups in a global society
- To engage in scholarship and service
- To impart the values of service, leadership, and partnership with diverse communities and the profession
MLS Program Objectives
- Understand and apply the foundations of library science from contemporary professional standards used to resolve ethical and legal issues
- Analyze, evaluate and synthesize research literature in library and information science and design basic practitioner research
- Use reference and information resources in a variety of formats to promote information literacy
- Select, acquire, develop and manage collections to meet the lifelong learning needs of diverse groups in various formats and library settings
- Understand and apply appropriate concepts and guidelines for the organization and discoverability of library materials and resources
- Understand and apply the principles of management, leadership and advocacy to direct and advance library programs
- Understand and apply appropriate technologies to support or enhance library functions and processes
- Instruct individually, and in collaboration with others, diverse user groups to access library resources and services
- Obtain practical experience in professional roles for which students are preparing
The Master of Library Science program is designed for students seeking employment as librarians and information professionals in Pre K-12 schools, universities, community colleges, public libraries, and related settings. All students are eligible for NC Public Library Certification upon completion of the MLS degree requirements. The MLS requires a minimum of 39 s.h. of credit. Eight core courses (24 s.h.) are required of all students: LIBS 6010, 6014, 6016, 6019, 6026, 6031, 6048, and 6991 or 6992.
The average time for degree completion:
- Full-time 5 terms (9 credit hours fall/spring; 6 credit hours summer)
- Part-time 7 terms (6 credit hours fall/spring; 3 credit hours summer)
The ECU MLS program recommends that students enroll in no more than two courses per semester. It is the policy of the program to allow students to register for up to three courses in a semester. Students who wish to enroll in more than three courses must contact the program advisor to review the individualized plan of study on a case-by-case basis.
View LIBS course descriptions and syllabi.
Click here for approved electives non-LIBS courses.
You may view the course rotation schedule at LIBS Course Rotation Schedule.
Professional Concentrations
The MLS program offers three professional concentrations: Academic Library, Public Library, and School Library Media. Learn more about the concentrations here.
Portfolio Overview
All MLS and licensure students must complete a portfolio. The portfolio is the culminating capstone product and includes an artifact from each required LIBS course and a reflection for each artifact. The portfolio is reviewed before graduation.
Almost every graduate program includes a capstone experience or project that is used to assess whether students have met overall program goals. These capstone experiences can be research papers, theses, dissertations, culminating projects, comprehensive exams, oral exams, interviews, or a combination of these types of activities.
The portfolio process requires a student’s participation throughout his or her coursework, and begins in the first course in the sequence (LIBS 6010). Throughout a student’s time in the program, he or she steadily posts to a Taskstream portfolio and demonstrates mastery of professional skills, abilities, and dispositions required for the practice of the profession. This is done through the use of course artifacts (course projects) along with the student’s reflection upon those skills, abilities, and dispositions as revealed in the artifacts. The reflection essay associated with each artifact helps explain how the artifact demonstrates that the program objective and other professional standards have been met. It also acts as a record of the student’s self-assessment.
The portfolio is posted in Taskstream, which is used by all students in the College of Education. Each student undergoes a mid-program and final review of the portfolio. A student must pass the final portfolio review in order to obtain the degree or licensure.
School Licensure and Praxis
In addition to completing the School Librarianship concentration courses successfully, there are two other things to do: 1) pass the Praxis test and 2) apply to be licensed by the NC DPI. (In some other states, this is called “certification”; in NC, it’s called “licensure.”)
Both of these are required.
You must pass the Praxis and be licensed by the NC DPI to be fully qualified to serve in NC public schools. You are getting 076 Media Coordinator licensure.
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- Take the Praxis II Subject Assessment and Specialty Area Test (School Librarian 5312). Further information is available at https://www.ets.org.
- Apply for North Carolina licensure. Go to https://education.ecu.edu/oep/ and scroll down to Online License System Instructions. Under this, click on Graduate Level or Non-Degree Seeking Students. This document will provide detailed instructions.
078 Licensure
The ECU Library Science program also offers the 078 License as a Media Supervisor, which meets the specific requirements for employment in North Carolina. Media Supervisor positions also require the individual to hold a valid state professional educator’s license. This license is in addition to a master’s degree in school media. Completion of three graduate courses (9 s.h.) is required in administration, curriculum development, and supervision (LEED 7408, 7410, 7429), all offered online. Successful completion of the NTE/Praxis Educational Leadership: Administrative and Supervision is also required for licensure. For more information visit the NC DPI website at https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/educators-licensure/licensure-administrators-and-student-services
NC Public Librarian Certification
All ECU MLS graduates are qualified for NC Public Librarian certification. Being flexible about the type of library you might work in can be helpful if you need to find a job in a specific location. For information: http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/ld/resources/public-librarian-certification