Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Developing Tomorrow's Leaders
School Library and Information Technologies

Advantages of the School Library &
Information Technologies Online Master's Program

Collaborative

You can interact with other students and establish a community of learners in thought-provoking online discussions held in both small and large groups.  Since there are no location limitations, you can work with colleagues from many regions.

Convenient

You have more flexibility over when and where work is done.   Learn technology by using technology and pursue learning in an independent way.   Most classes require some in-school field experiences, and you may choose a location convenient for you.

Interaction with Other Professionals

You have the opportunity to work with educators and others from across the state and nation who have similar interests.

Practical

Mansfield's School Library program was developed with the practitioner in mind. Courses are taught primarily by practicing or recently retired school library media specialists. Courses provide an effective integration of academic theory and hands-on skills that you can immediately apply to authentic situations in your school or library. As an instructional goal, School Library students will master the skills and knowledge to:

  • Provide leadership in planning and managing the use of electronic technologies and information

  • Teach students to access, apply and evaluate information to solve problems

  • Partner with teachers to design, implement, and assess curriculum and instruction to meet academic standards

  • Select and manage resources to meet the literacy and information needs of students and the curriculum

  • Build and oversee a school library program that promotes literacy and information literacy as keys to lifelong learning for students.

Focused Exclusively on School Libraries

Unlike a traditional Master of Library Science degree (MLS), Mansfield's Master of Education in School Library and Information Technologies is a specialized program focused exclusively on school librarianship. The advantage for our students is that you are not required, unlike schools accredited by the American Library Association, to take peripheral courses about all kinds of libraries: college & university, public, business, and other specialized libraries, as well as schools. You also will not spend time researching the history of libraries or mystifying theories of information science.

If your are interested in school libraries and K-12 education then our program should be far more relevant and attractive to you. It's practical, technological, up-to-date, and convenient. If your career goals, however, are to work in an academic or other type of library then you should pursue an ALA-accredited MLS. In fact, most college and university libraries, and many large public libraries, require the MLS degree for employment. For a list of all ALA-accredited institutions in North America visit the American Library Association.

 
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