Welcome
The Master of Science degree in Library Media Education is a dual track program in information service and educational technology. It may be used for the Kentucky Rank II or Rank I pay status. The degree prepares persons for service as library media specialists, training development specialists, educational technology specialists, and information service specialists in schools, colleges, public libraries, and private organizations. The program has one degree with two focus areas in Library Media Education or Educational Technology, an endorsement in Instructional Computer Technology and a certificate in Educational Technology. Teacher certification is not a requirement for admission to the program.
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Admission Requirements
Students must apply for admission to Graduate Studies at WKU to be eligible for admission to LME. Admission to the Master of Science in LME program requires a minimum GAP score of 2500, which is calculated using the following formula: Undergraduate GPA mulitplied by (GRE-Verbal plus GRE-Quantitative score) and a minimum GRE analytical writing score of 3.5. Students with a GAP score of between 2200 and 2500 and the minimum 3.5 score for analytical writing may contact the LME program coordinator for information on the documentation required by the alternate admissions policy of the program area. Applicants with a GAP score below 2200 will not be admitted. These applicants should retake the GRE and reapply to the LME program. EXCEPTION: The GAP and GRE requirements may be waived for any student who has successfully completed a previous master's or higher degree from an accredited institution.
Additional information regarding initial certification through the LME program:
Initial certification as a Library Media Specialist in Kentucky without a prior classroom teaching certificate can be obtained at the master's level. It requires admission to Graduate Studies and Teacher Education. A person seeking initial certification the Master of Science in Library Media Education must complete a packet of materials that comprise the application for Teacher Admissions. The application materials for Teacher Admissions must be submitted with a copy of the approved Form C for the Master of Science. Approval of the application admits a person to Teacher Education. Contact Michelle Kahler in the Office for Teacher Admissions at 270-745-6571 or email- michelle.kahler@wku.edu for further information if necessary.
- An applicant must file an application for admission to teacher education (TGA1) For this application/file to become and remain eligible for consideration, the student must have been admitted into a graduate program for initial teacher certification. In addition, the applicant must have met the minimum standards required by the LME program.
- An applicant must file a statement indicating no convictions or pending charges on a felony or misdemeanor or felony involving sexual misconduct (TGA-1B). Individuals with a conviction or pending charges must contact and confer with the Director of Teacher Services. Falsification of this statement will result in immediate dismissal from Teacher Education and the University.
- An applicant must file a TGA-3 form verifying that he/she understands such information as the current employment conditions, demands of the teaching/library media field, wide range of skills essential to the teaching/library media specialist, and increasing complexity of the teaching/library media specialist profession.
- An applicant must file a statement indicating that they have received a written copy of the requirements for admission to teacher education and current Kentucky certification testing requirements (PRAXIS or other required tests).
- Admission to the MS in LME program requires an overall 2.5 undergraduate grade point average, a GAP score (undergraduate GPA X GRE score) of 2500, and GRE writing score of 3.5. An overall GPA 3.0 must be maintained for graduate work.
- An applicant must file a statement indicating a commitment to uphold The Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Personnel.
- To be admitted, an applicant must submit three letters of recommendation. Faculty will assess disposition toward teaching or appropriate professional role as reflected in the recommendations.
- An applicant must provide the Office of Teacher Admissions with an approved copy of Form C immediately upon notification of admission to Graduate Studies. If courses are taken that are not on this program of study, the student must provide the Office of Teacher Admissions with a copy of all change forms from the graduate advisor.
The Department of SIP will monitor the status of an applicant's file and report to Teacher Admissions. For information and status of applications contact Michelle Kahler, Office of Teacher Admissions at 270-745-6571 or email: michelle.kahler@wku.edu. Applicants are welcome to contact the Office as needed.
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Program Requirements
The M.S. in Library Media Education requires a minimum of 30 semester hours plus a research course/tool for a total of 33 hours. Students may transfer up to nine hours of graduate coursework into the LME program with the approval of their advisor. There are certain conditions under which the research tool may be waived. Students must contact the program advisor regarding these conditions. There are two concentration areas to choose from: the Library Media Specialist focus and the Educational Technology focus. Requirements for each are listed below:
Library Media Specialist Focus
The LMS focus is designed to fulfill the requirements for Kentucky state certification as a School Media Librarian P-12 at the Rank II or Rank I level. The degree requires 30 hours of coursework, including 15 hours of core courses, 9 hours of specialization courses, and a 3 hour research tool. Completing a Comprehensive Examination and Professional Portfolio are also required for the degree. Certification as a Kentucky LMS requires passing the PRAXIS II Specialty Exam for Certified Library Media Specialists.
NOTE: By taking two additional courses in Educational Technology (LME 545 and LME 547) students can also obtain the Instructional Computer Technology Endorsement.
Research Tool (3 hours)
LME 519 Special Topics in Library Media Education OR
EDFN 500 Educational Research Foundations OR
EXED 534 Seminar: Research in Exceptional Child Education
The required core (15 hours of the following or their equivalents):
LME 501 Program Organization and Administration
LME 512 Issues in Library Media Education
LME 535 Survey of Educational Technology Practices (Note: Course is prerequisite for LME 537)
LME 537 Principles of Educational Technology Applications (Note: Prerequisite LME 535)
LME 590 Practicum (Note: Permission of instructor; completion of 24 hours of course work, including LME 501, 512, 535 and 537; and admission to candidacy)
Professional Specialization (9 sem. hrs. required):
LME 502 Collection Management
LME 506 Classification and Cataloging
LME 508 Information Sources and Services
Elective Courses (Minimum of 6 sem. hrs. required):
LME 518 Advanced Children’s Literature
LME 527 Advanced Young Adult Literature
(Other appropriate LME courses or courses outside of LME may be selected with the approval of the graduate advisor.)
Additional Requirements for Initial Certification in Library Media Education
A person with a bachelor’s degree but no prior teacher certification at the undergraduate level can obtain the certification as a P-12 Library Media Specialist in Kentucky with the Master of Science degree. The following requirements must be met:
- Admission to Graduate Studies at WKU
- Admission to the LME program at WKU
- Admission to Teacher Education: The process for being admitted to Teacher Education is based admission to the LME program and completion of a teacher education admissions packet that includes a criminal background check and a health screening among other things. Completion of the program certifies the individual only as a P-12 LMS in Kentucky and not a classroom teacher.
- A minimum score of 640 on a PRAXIS II: Subject Assessments-Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT: Early Childhood, PLT: Grades K-6, PLT: Grades 5-9, or PLT: Grades 7-12).
- A passing score on the Praxis II: Subject Assessments-Library Media Specialist.
Note: Students with no background in education may wish to take 1-3 undergraduate teacher education courses in preparation for this examination.
Educational Technology Focus - Professional Specialization:
The Educational Technology focus prepares experienced teachers who wish to apply technological tools to the learning process and to develop leadership skills necessary to become efficient and effective site-based or district level technology coordinators. This focus is for students pursuing an Instructional Computer Technology Endorsement at the Rank II or Rank I levels. The degree requires 30 hours of coursework, including 15 hours of core courses, 9 hours of specialization courses and a 3 hour research tool. Completing a Comprehensive Examination and Professional Portfolio are also required for the degree. Currently there is no PRAXIS exam for the Instructional Computer Technology Endorsement.
Research Tool (3 hours)
LME 519 Special Topics in Library Media Education OR
EDFN 500 Educational Research Foundations OR
EXED 534 Seminar: Research in Exceptional Child Education
The required core (15 hours of the following or their equivalents):
LME 501 Program Organization and Administration
LME 512 Issues in Library Media Education
LME 535 Survey of Educational Technology Practices (Note: Course is prerequisite for LME 537)
LME 537 Principles of Educational Technology Applications (Note: Prerequisite LME 535)
LME 590 Practicum (Note: Permission of instructor; completion of 24 hours of course work, including LME 501, 512, 535 and 537; and admission to candidacy)
Professional Specialization (15 sem. hrs. required):
LME 545 Educational Technology Production
LME 547 Integration of Educational Technology
LME 509 Investigations in Educational Technology
LME 519 Special Topics in Educational Technology
ELECTIVE (selected from the fields of Information Technology, Management Information Systems, or Computer Science with the approval of the academic advisor)
Please visit the Library Media Education website for additional certification requirements and information on the professional portfolio process: www.wku.edu/lme/master.html.
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Recommended Sequence of Courses
Certain courses may offered on a rotating basis, so please plan your program of study carefully. Contact Robert Smith, the academic advisor for the program, for additional information on course offerings at robert.smith@wku.edu or call 270-745-3446. See what is currently being offered at www.wku.edu/online.
Please note the following prerequisites:
LME 535 Survey of Educational Technology Practices (Course is prerequisite for LME 537)
LME 537 Principles of Educational Technology Applications (Prerequisite LME 535)
LME 590 Practicum (Permission of instructor; completion of 24 hours of course work, including LME 501, 512, 535 and 537; and admission to candidacy is required prior to enrolling in LME 590)
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