DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY SCIENCE

Course Descriptions

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:

Certificate Programs Notice

The State Board for Educator Certification may mandate changes in certification programs that 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.  Certification as a School Librarian requires the following: (1) a valid K-12 Texas teacher’s certificate, (2) two years of classroom teaching experience, (3) 21 approved semester hours of approved library science coursework, (4) 3 semester hours of field experience working in a library, and (5) a passing score on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES).

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 that 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 instruction 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.

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

Course Descriptions: