Chicago State University  Library Science and Communications Media Program
Office Ed - 200B Office Ed - 200B (773) 995-2503 or 2278
Advisors: Gayles Evans, Gabriel Gomez, and Jashu Patel.
This program meets the guidelines of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation's of Teacher Education (NCATE), and State of Illinois Board of Education (ISBE).

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Students may major in the following four areas of library studies (public/academic, school library, technology, and endorsement for certified teachers).  Although all students seeking a masters degree are required to enroll in certain designated courses, there may be prerequisites for other courses.

ACADEMIC HOURS

The number of academic hours may vary from 38 credit hours to 40 credit hours.  A thesis is optional and can be completed in lieu of two electives.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Master's Degree in School Library (Type 10 certification: K-12) Master's Degree (Specialized area in librarianship)
Endorsement in School Media:  (Certified teachers) Master's Degree (Specialization technology in libraries)

Requirements for Masters Degree in Library Science

All students seeking a Master's degree in Library Science and Communications Media must take the following prerequisite courses (22 credit hours) before entering the area of specialization :
CM 400 Audio-visual Instruction 4 credit hours LS 428 Management & Organization 3 credit hours
CM 450 Communication & the 
Media Center		 3 credit hours LS 419 Collection Development & Usage of Reference Materials (Replaces LS 420) 3 credit hours
LS 402 Cataloguing & Classification 3 credit hours LS 452 Library in Society 3 credit hours
LS 405 Library Literature & Research 3 credit hours

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION DETAILS

MASTER'S DEGREE IN SCHOOL LIBRARY (TYPE 10 Certification-K-12)
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 39 TO 40 credit hours

LS 414, LS 430, LS 424, LS 398g*, LS 370g**.
Two electives or thesis***(6 Credit hours)

* LS 398g: Clinical experiences in school library media center (1-2 credit hours),
based on individual  students needs as determined by state requirements (50 - 100 clock hours)

** LS 370g: Student Teaching and Seminar (6 credit hours).  Off-campus placement in both an elementary and secondary school in the library media center with both university and cooperating school supervision.  (16 weeks)

***Certified teachers will not have to complete six hours of student teaching.  These students may take 2 electives or complete a thesis in lieu of the 2 electives.
MASTER'S DEGREE IN LIBRARY SCIENCE:  PUBLIC/ACADEMIC/
SPECIAL LIBRARIES
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 37 to 40 credit hours

LS 411, LS 412, LS 454, LS 499*
Two electives or thesis (6 Credit hours)

* LS 499:  Field practicum (3 credit hours) Supervised experience in library with appropriate written reports (9 clock hours)
MASTER'S DEGREE IN LIBRARY SCIENCE: TECHNOLOGY IN LIBRARIES
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 37 to 40 credit hours

LS 410, LS 417, CM 461, LS 499*
Two electives or thesis (6 Credit hours)

* LS 499: Field practicum (3 credit hours) Supervised experience in library with appropriate written reports (9 clock hours)

Successful completion of the departmental written comprehensive examination, which is administered on the first
Monday in April and the first Monday in December.
If you are interested in State Certification and you are not a teacher, you must:

-Complete the States General Education requirements and be admitted to the College of Education.
-Complete 50 hours of clinical observation in an elementary and/or high school library.
The course for the clinical is LS 398g - Clinical Experience in Library Science.
Students currently working in a school library may wave all or part of this requirement. (See Advisor)
-Complete 16 weeks of student teaching. Eight weeks of off campus placement in an elementary school library and
eight weeks in a high school library.
-Pass the Illinois Certification Testing Systems test of basic skills and a test of subject matter knowledge.