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Master of Library Science in Library Media Specialist

Both of the LMS programs, the Library Media Specialist Program and the Library Media Specialist for Certified Teachers, emphasize the development of knowledge and skills needed to teach information literacy to the K–12 school community, to foster collaborative partnerships with the school’s faculty and administration, to motivate and guide students in these settings in the use of information and materials, and to evaluate and select materials that promote and support the information needs of this specialized clientele. Library Media Specialists serve the needs of students and parents for informational, educational, and recreational materials as well as the needs of teachers, administrators and other personnel seeking information and materials related to their professional responsibilities.

Admissions at a Glance
Fall Deadline April 1
Spring Deadline November 1
Extended Deadline None
Letters of Reference 3
Essay 500 Words
TOEFL (IBT) 100
IELTS 7
PTE 68
GRE Yes
GMAT No
Accepts Non-Matric Yes

Requirements for Matriculation

These requirements are in addition to the general requirements for matriculation.

  1. Applicants to this program will need to first be admitted to GSLIS via the standard application procedure. Upon acceptance to GSLIS, students will be interviewed by the LMS Program Coordinator who will review their prior transcripts to ascertain whether applicants have the Core Liberal Arts and Science background required by NYSED for teachers. NYSED specifies exactly what type of coursework is acceptable for each of these areas at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/Office of Teaching Initiatives. Applicants lacking any part of this requirement will be required to complete this coursework at an accredited institution of higher education before acceptance to this program.
  2. Applicants will be required to present a satisfactory onsite writing sample evaluated by the LMS Program Coordinator.
  3. Applicants whose undergraduate cumulative grade-point average is below 3.0, but who otherwise merit consideration for admission, may be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 who hold advanced degrees are not required to take the GRE.
  4. A meeting with the Director of the School, the Graduate Advisor, or a member of the School’s Admissions Committee will be required before a decision on admission is made.

Deadlines may be extended further if spaces remain in the program.

Requirements for Non-Matriculation

Students are to follow the college’s requirements for non-matriculation​.

Some students may register in the school as non-matriculates with permission of the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies. Students who are fully matriculated in another accredited library school may, with permission from their home institution and from the Director or Graduate Advisor of the GSLIS, register for individual graduate library science courses, when space is available.

Applicants who do not qualify for matriculated status may be admitted as non-matriculates with the approval of the Graduate Advisor. Courses taken as a non-matriculated student may be credited toward the MLS degree if a grade of B (3.0) or better is attained. A non-matriculate wishing to matriculate may have a maximum of 12 credits accepted towards the degree by the School.

A student who has been awarded the MLS degree and wants to enroll for additional courses must file an application for admission as a graduate non-matriculate with the Graduate Admissions Office by the appropriate deadline date.