Department website: https://www.atu.edu/tel
In an era where media is abundant and technology is ever-evolving, school librarians play a crucial role in guiding students through the information age. The Master of Education in Instructional Technology Library Media Specialist K-12 program empowers candidates to lead innovative school library programs that inspire and support diverse learning communities.
This 30-credit hour program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and offers a fully online learning environment. Based on the ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards, the curriculum emphasizes collaboration, leadership, and essential technology skills.
This master's program is an approved pathway for the Arkansas Library Media Specialist licensure endorsement. Out-of-state candidates are welcome to enter and complete the program for a graduate degree; however, it is your responsibility to check with your state’s Department of Education to determine if the license or endorsement requirements are met through this program of study.
Hands-On Experience
The program offers ample opportunities to gain practical experience in school libraries, including:
- Collaborate with School Librarians: Connect with experienced professionals in the field to gain insights into best practices and the daily realities of school librarianship.
- Teaching in the School Library: Participate in teaching opportunities that allow you to apply your skills in real-world settings, fostering an interactive learning environment.
- Creating Artifacts: Develop a portfolio of professional artifacts, including:
- Readers' advisory graphics
- Professional learning session materials
- Engaging book talks and displays
- Evidence-based collection development
- Leadership SMART growth plan
- Research Projects: Conduct data collection and research to assess and improve library practices and student learning outcomes.
- Exploration of Technology: Engage in 6 hours of educational technology electives to explore the latest digital tools and resources for enhancing teaching and learning.
These hands-on projects not only enhance your learning experience but also prepare you to create impactful resources for your future library media program.
Career Outcomes
Graduates will emerge well-prepared for impactful roles as school librarians and educational leaders, equipped to foster a love of reading and enhance information literacy in their communities.
Unconditional Admission
Students are eligible to apply for unconditional admission to the Master of Education degree program in Instructional Technology – Library Media Specialist, K-12 if they meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College and hold a valid teaching license.
Conditional Admission
Applicants who fail to satisfy the requirements above may be admitted conditionally by the Library Media Specialist Program Director. Conditional admission may require taking six hours of graduate courses relating to principles and theories of learning, models of teaching, and classroom behavior and management to remove those conditions. Any such courses must be completed with a grade of "B" or better. Students admitted under a conditional status must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA on the first twelve (12) graduate hours in the program.
*Arkansas candidates seeking licensure must attain the minimum score as established by the Arkansas Department of Education on the School Librarian specialty area section of the Praxis Assessment Series to be considered for Arkansas Library Media Specialist, K-12 licensure.
Students who complete the program will be able to:
- Cultivate the educational and personal development of all members of a learning community, including those with diverse intellectual abilities, learning modalities, and physical variabilities.
- Demonstrate knowledge of children’s and young adult literature, evaluation criteria, and selection tools to develop, curate, organize, and manage a print and digital collection designed to meet the diverse curricular and personal needs of the learning community.
- Collaborate with members of the learning community to design developmentally and culturally responsive resource-based learning experiences that support content-based instruction, use multiple methods of assessment, and promote critical thinking and the inquiry process.
- Design and deliver instruction, including professional learning, digital citizenship, and multiple literacies that integrate the National School Library Standards, considering learner development, diversity, and differences.
- Articulate and model the ethical practices of librarianship, as expressed in the foundational documents of the library profession, including the American Library Association Code of Ethics and the Library Bill of Rights.
- Use data-driven research practices to effectively design and implement solutions that positively impact learner growth and strengthen the role of the school library.
- Locate, use, evaluate, model, and share digital tools and educational technology for teaching and learning that incorporate Universal Design for Learning principles.
Program learning outcomes are based on the ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards.
For program assessment, visit https://www.atu.edu/assessment/program_assessment.php.
