PK–12 school library media specialist

University of Missouri-Columbia
Master of library and information science
Large library containing many books on high shelves.
Request more information

Get started with MU

Apply here

Overview

American Library Association Logo

You know media technology and literature have the power to change lives. That's why Mizzou's online master's degree program in library and information science with an emphasis in PK–12 school library media specialist could be a perfect fit. This program is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). It prepares school librarians to help students (and others) develop digital literacy.

This program is for people who want to become school librarians in the state of Missouri, and has paths for people who already hold teacher certification and for those who do not. Want to be a school librarian in a state other than Missouri? Contact Denice Adkins at adkinsde@missouri.edu to ask if this program is the right choice for you.

The School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT) is a proud member of iSchools, an international coalition of leading information schools.

Top-ranked programs

Mizzou's online master's in education programs ranked among the nation's finest in U.S. News & World Report 2024.

Quick facts

Official name

Master of library and information science with an emphasis in PK-12 school library media specialist certification

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program type

Master's degree

Academic home

College of Education & Human Development | School of Information Science and Learning Technologies

Delivery mode

100% online

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission, Teacher Education Accreditation Council, American Library Association

Credit hours

39

Estimated cost

$20,865.00

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

Librarian smiling in a library.

Career prospects

Jobs for MLIS graduates may include

  • Information literacy librarian
  • Library media specialist
  • School librarian
  • Academic librarian
  • Student success librarian
  • Librarian at a public library

MLIS employment opportunities are not restricted to schools.

Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
8.68%
Employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$50,000
median salary

Program structure

The online master’s in library and information science with an emphasis in PK–12 school library media specialist is 100 percent online: no campus visits are required.

Students typically take one or two classes each semester and finish the program in two to four years.

Your plan of study will include IS_LT 7380 School Library Practicum (3 credit hours), which requires 100 clock hours spent in a school library or school libraries in your area.

Note: This program is intended for practicing teachers who already have their initial teaching certification. It does not provide the initial certification required to become a teacher.

Course work includes

  • Information services, systems, and technologies
  • Organization of information, cataloging, and classification
  • Management of school libraries
  • Working with school library personnel
  • Action research in school libraries
  • Children’s and young adult literature

Delivery

100% online

Calendar system

Semester-based

Typical program length

2-4 years

Typical course load

1 or 2 classes each semester

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The College of Education and Human Development is a member of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. The library and information science master’s program is accredited by the American Library Association.

Faculty spotlight

Cindy Dudenhoffer

Dr. Cynthia Dudenhoffer joined Mizzou in 2021 as an associate teaching professor and program coordinator for the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies.  Previously, she held the role of Director of Information Resources and Assessment at Central Methodist University.  She has served in many leadership roles locally and nationally, including president of the Missouri Library Association.  She also serves as a professional consultant in areas of academic library accreditation, program review, project management, and leadership through innovation. Areas of expertise include emerging technologies in information agencies and data literacy.

Cindy Dudenhoffer
Associate Teaching Professor, School of Information Science & Learning Technologies
Denice Adkins

Research areas:

  • Latino/hispanic literacy practices
  • Genre fiction readers and their motivations
  • Public library outreach to underserved populations
Denice Adkins, PhD
Associate Professor
Beth Brendler

Dr. Beth Brendler is an Associate Teaching Professor in the iSchool at the University of Missouri. Her areas of interest include the sociocultural aspects of literacy, inclusive library services to diverse and underserved populations, and the socialization of children and adolescents through literature and media. The majority of her research has been on the sociocultural aspects of literacy, as well as literature and library services for underserved and marginalized youth.

Her research has examined rural school libraries as resources of community mental health literacy, library collections and services for LGBTQIA+ children and adolescents, intersectionality in self-published LGBTQIA+ eBook fiction, gender and literary response, identity and classroom book discussion, children’s and adolescent literature about marginalized populations, gender construction in children’s and adolescent literature, and socioeconomic status and literacy.

Beth Brendler, PhD
Associate Teaching Professor, School of Information Science & Learning Technologies

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies