DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY SCIENCE
The Department of Library Science is charged with applying the University's mission specifically to the field of Library and Information Science. The goals of the Department of Library Science are to: 1) prepare competent professionals for school librarianship; 2) encourage and support scholarly research and publications; 3) promote and participate in faculty growth and development; 4) offer educational services to schools, libraries, and the community; and 5) plan, implement, and evaluate the academic curriculum, teaching effectiveness, physical resources, program policies, and the learning environment.
Requirements for Admission
Students who wish to pursue the certification or the MLS degree should request an application for admission to the Master of Library Science Program from the Department of Library Science, Sam Houston State University, Box 2236, Huntsville, Texas 77341, or online at www.shsu.edu/libraryscience. This form is in addition to the Graduate Application for Admission which must be completed and filed with the Dean, College of Education.
The Library Science admissions committee will consider all applications through a holistic review process, taking into account higher GPAs and GRE Scores. Admission is formula based and considers:
- advanced hours GPA
- GRE scores on Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing.
Certificate Programs Notice
The State Board for Educator Certification may mandate changes in certification programs which may become effective for students enrolled in the University under this catalog. Such changes may affect the graduation and certification requirements listed in this catalog.
Certification as a School Librarian
This is the credential required for school librarians for employment in Texas schools including the Windham School System of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division.
This credential may be issued to one who has a Master’s Degree, a valid Texas teacher’s certificate, two years of classroom teaching experience, 21 approved semester hours, 3 semester hours of practicum working in a library or 3 additional semester hours directly related to school librarian course work and one year of successful experience on a permit as a full-time public school librarian. A passing score on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) is required.
Six of the seven courses necessary for the certification are LS 530, LS 532, LS 534, LS 537, LS 570, and LS 585. The final course is LS 566, Library Internship. LS 585 satisfies the state of Texas multi-ethnic course requirement. LS 560 is a Department of Library Science requirement for the certification. No course which is over six (6) years old is acceptable towards certification. Comprehensive examinations are administered during the last semester of coursework for this degree. Candidates must be enrolled during the semester the comprehensive exams are taken. Application for this certification is made to the State Board for Educator Certification at http://www. sbec.state.tx.us. Note prerequisites under individual courses.
Master of Library Science (MLS)
This 36-hour degree provides for the principles and procedures common to libraries and information centers. The primary mission of the Department of Library Science is the preparation of school librarians for grades EC-12.
Master of Library Science
| Core Coursework | 33 SCH | |
| LS 530 | Collection Development | 3 SCH |
| LS 532 | Organization of Collections I | 3 SCH |
| LS 534 | Information Services and Resources I | 3 SCH |
| LS 537 | School Library Administration | 3 SCH |
| LS 560 | Literature for Children | 3 SCH |
| LS 566 | Library Internship | 3 SCH |
| LS 567 | Research Design and Methodology | 3 SCH |
| LS 570 | Instructional Design and Library Media Production | 3 SCH |
| LS 585 | Literature for Young Adults | 3 SCH |
| LS 591 | The Internet for School Librarians | 3 SCH |
| LS 596 | Computer Science Applications to Librarianship | 3 SCH |
| Elective | 3 SCH | |
| Total Hours | 36 SCH | |