An authorized institution must certify that you meet the competencies established by the state of Minnesota (MN Rule number 8710.4550). The department of Educational Studies: K-12 and Secondary Programs (KSP) at Minnesota State University, Mankato is authorized and accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
The Master of Science in Library Media Education program at Minnesota State University, Mankato is completely online/web-based. Face to face interaction will only occur during orientation and evaluation periods.
The Library Media Education program at MSU Mankato is comprised of 28 semester credits online and an 8 week Internship. Candidates enter the program each fall and complete the coursework and internship over two years. If you are currently employed as a Library Media Specialist, in a public school, your internship may be completed at your place of employment upon approval of the program coordinator and the Office of Clinical and Field Experiences.
No, the MS in LME requires passing the Praxis II Examination instead of the comprehensive examination. The Praxis II Specialty Examination is required by Minnesota for the K-12 Library Media Specialist Certificate. The PRAXIS II Specialty Examination or another examination may be required for certification in other states. Students outside of Minnesota are responsible for determining the requirements for certification in their states. For additional information please visit: http://www.ets.org/praxis/prxmn.html.
A person with no prior teacher certification at the undergraduate level can obtain the certification as a K-12 Library Media Specialist in Minnesota through the Graduate Teacher Licensure program. This requires admission to both Graduate Teacher Licensure program and the Library Media Education program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. You may take course work concurrently in both programs. However, you will be required to complete a 16 week student teaching experience instead of the 8 week internship. Both programs require completion of an admissions packet from the Graduate School and a health screening among other things.
The Master of Science in LME for certification as a library media specialist is accepted in other states. Most states do require a basic certificate as a classroom teacher, usually at the undergraduate or initial level of certification. Some states require a set score on the Praxis II Specialty Examination for Library Media Specialist. However, students outside of Minnesota should check with their respective certification/licensure authorities.
It depends. The LME program at MSU Mankato is specialized for library media specialists. ALA accreditation is important for people seeking careers in colleges, universities, special libraries, and major public libraries. Some exceptions are the Los Angeles Public Library, public libraries in New York, and some small colleges.
Online ALA programs are available through Florida State University, U of Tennessee, University of Southern Mississippi, and other institutions. Check the ALA website at http://www.ala.org for all ALA accredited programs.
You can transfer courses taken within the last five years that meet the requirements for licensure in library media education from accredited higher education institutions. You will need to contact the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Deborah Jesseman: deborah.jesseman@mnsu.edu for approval.
Dr. Deborah Jesseman
Department of Educational Studies: K-12 and Secondary Programs
313 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, Minnesota 56001
(507) 389-5708
Or
Vicky Hudson, Administrative Assistant
Department of Educational Studies: K-12 and Secondary Programs
313 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, Minnesota 56001
(507) 389-1965
