Program Overview

Master of Science in Information Science School Library

About the Program

The Master of Science in Information Science School Library (ISSL) program at the University at Albany is designed to prepare students for 21st-century school librarianship. The program combines various disciplines, including library and information science, education, cognitive science, instructional technology and design, psychology, and sociology. The curriculum is aligned with the National School Library Standards and includes a makerspace course.

Program of Study

The ISSL program is a 36-credit, fully online program that leads to initial teaching certification as a library media specialist or to professional certification if candidates are initially certified. The program includes the following courses:

• Teaching Fundamentals for School Libraries
• Curriculum and Supportive Resources
• School Libraries: Theory, Practice and Assessment
• Administration of School Library Media Centers
• Information Sources and Services
• Literature for Children
• Literature for Young Adults
• The Information Environment
• Information and Knowledge Organization
• Research Methods
• School Library Internship
• Elective Course

Required Field Experience

The following courses have a total of 100 hours of aligned field experience:

• School Libraries: Theory, Practice and Assessment
• Curriculum and Supportive Resources

Required Internship

There is a University-supervised internship in the program.

Admissions Requirements

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Personal statement (one page, single-spaced essay addressing the following: "Thinking back on the school librarians you have encountered during your education, how has the role of the school librarian changed? How do you see yourself as part of that change?")

Deadlines

• Fall: August 1
• Spring: January 1
• Summer: Rolling

Student Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate a sense of professional identity by applying the concepts and principles of library and information sciences and related disciplines.
• Know the history of the information professions and understand the changing roles of information professionals in a global environment.
• Create, select, acquire, organize, describe, manage, preserve, retrieve and disseminate information using relevant theories and practices.
• Assess information needs of diverse and underserved populations and provide resources and instruction to meet those needs.
• Recognize the crucial role of users in the development and delivery of user-centered information systems and services.
• Formulate, interpret and implement information policy including issues of privacy, equity, intellectual property and intellectual freedom.
• Promote and demonstrate the use of ethical standards in the creation, management and use of information.
• Conduct and apply research to develop, maintain and evaluate information content and assess information services.
• Understand, implement and use appropriate technologies in the delivery of information content and services.
• Apply management principles to the creation, administration and promotion of information organizations and systems.
• Understand the information environment and build collaborative relationships to strengthen library and information services and literacy.

Supplemental Degree Programs

Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again. Supplemental programs available with this degree include:

• Africana Studies CGS
• Community College Leadership CGS
• Demography CGS
• International Education Management CGS