Course Requirements

Core Courses Required of All Students 12 Credits

EDUC 610 Research in Education
EDUC 625 Issues in School, Community & Family
EDUC 640 Supervision & Assessment for Teachers & Learners
EDUC 657 Exceptionality, Diversity & Difference

Required Courses: Library & Information Technologies, 22 credits

In addition to the core courses and introductory work, students will complete 22 hours of required coursework to meet the outlined program standards:

LMIS 659: Emerging Technologies & the SLM Program
LMIS 664: Literature & Literacy for Children and Young Adults
LMIS 670: Integrating Info Lit and Research Standards
LMIS 675: Obtaining & Organizing Information Resources
LMIS 680: Using Information Resources
LMIS 687: Administering & Evaluating Program Resources
LMIS 688: Collaboration, Management & Leadership

Library & Information Technologies, 3 credits

These classes are designed to prepare an educator to administer a standards-based school library program to conduct research, and to share knowledge with the profession.

LMIS 698: Capstone
LMIS 689: Research Applications

TOTAL DEGREE, 37 CREDITS

For graduates seeking LMO1 certification as a library media specialist in North Dakota upon completion of the program, an introduction to libraries course - not a part of the degree coursework - is required by the North Dakota Department of Instruction. See Options below.

Special Program Requirements

In addition to the 37 credits in the degree, there are three LIT program requirements:

Field Experience
Each candidate is required to complete a 120-hour cumulative field experience that is documented throughout the program. Most courses in the LMIS concentration offer students field experience opportunities that make direct application of classroom learning. Field experience opportunities not connected to a specific course are also available. Each field experience activity must demonstrate and document competencies specified within at least one of the AASL Standards for School Library Media Specialists, must be pre-approved by the Field Experience Director, and supervised by an approved Library Media Specialist or a LMIS program mentor. At least 40 hours of field experience must be completed in an elementary library environment, and 40 hours in a secondary environment. Candidates currently employed as School Library Media Specialists may complete up to 60 hours of field experience in their own library environment. All candidates must complete least 60 field experience hours in a face-to-face environment. The remaining 60 hours may occur either in an electronic environment or face-to-face. Field experience documentation forms and directions are available in the LMIS Virtual Learning Community (VLC) web page.

Action Research
Each candidate is required to independently complete an action research project prior to enrollment in LMIS 698. Orientation to the action research requirement is included in EDUC 610. Orientation to the action research requirement is included in EDUC 610. Candidates prepare an action research topic proposal while enrolled in LMIS 688 and the project concept is approved by the advisor before the completion of this course. Instruction and guidance in completing the action research literature review is part of LMIS 687. Candidates then independently complete the research and the reporting in consultation with their advisors. After approval by the candidate's advisor, the completed project is included in the portfolio as part of the requirements for LMIS 698. A timeline for conducting the action research is included in the Graduate Student Handbook. Examples and detailed directions are available in the LMIS Virtual Learning Community (VLC) web page.

Portfolio
While enrolled in LMIS 698, generally the final course in the program, each candidate prepares a capstone portfolio. Much of the portfolio is comprised of projects and other work done while enrolled in other LMIS and EDUC courses. The portfolio is structured as a PowerPoint file with a variety of documents linked to it. Many of the documents included are artifacts from the candidate's coursework, field experience, and action research that demonstrate the candidate's competencies as a school library media specialist. The candidate must include artifacts documenting competency in the Graduate School Core Values, The National Board of Professional Teacher Standards, and each of the four AASL Standards for School Library Media Specialists. Directions, samples, and portfolio templates are available in the LMIS Virtual Learning Community (VLC) web page.


* An Introduction to Libraries/Library Services course is a requirement for the ND library credential. Depending upon previous coursework, candidates planning to apply for initial ND LMS licensure may need to complete a two or three credit Introduction to Library course. There are two course options available from VCSU that meet this requirement. Please seek your advisor's assistance in determining whether or not you will need to complete an introductory course (outside of this degree) for licensure.