Oct 13, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Library Science, MSLS

Location(s): Online


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Pennsylvania Western University - Clarion’s Master of Science in library and information science program was the first of its kind in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. At PennWest - Clarion, students earn the American Library Association accredited M.S.L.S degree in the popular online format. Students may earn their degree on a full-time or part-time basis and may begin taking classes during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. The future goals of the students in this program will vary. Within the M.S.L.S. degree, the following optional concentrations are available: reference and user services, local and archival studies and school library media.

Student Learning Outcomes


  • Demonstrate knowledge of the information profession by relating foundational principles, philosophy, and ethics to contemporary issues, by identifying key, on-going interdisciplinary developments in the field, and by analyzing current practices for future implications of the profession.
  • Create, select, acquire, manage, and maintain the information environment by analyzing how users seek out information.
  • Demonstrate and be able to explain the principles of organizing recorded information by exploring both past and present theories of organizing and representing recorded information and by understanding and applying the standards of organizing recorded information in libraries and information centers.
  • Identify, explain, use and critically evaluate both current and emerging information technologies in libraries and information centers.
  • Provide information services to a diverse community by analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminating traditional and emerging information resources, by developing communication and interpersonal skills for determining the information needs of all users, by creatively utilizing techniques and tools to address information needs, and by advocating for underserved audiences.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research by identifying the fundamental characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research and by analyzing the value of research literature in the library and information field.
  • Develop a commitment to continuing education by participating in local, regional, and national professional development opportunities.
  • Demonstrate the principles and practices of administration and management by recognizing the appropriate methods to continually measure and ensure the quality and value of personnel, services, the information environment, and physical spaces, by developing and evaluating the budget and additional sources of funding (i.e. grants) in alignment with short and long range goals and objectives, and by evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of establishing networks with libraries, consortia, community organizations, government officials, and other professional bodies, i.e. schools.

Curriculum Requirements


Total Core Credits Required: 15


Required Advanced


MSLS No Concentration


Related Electives Credit Hours: 21

Related Elective Credits Required: 21


MSLS Local and Archival Studies Concentration


PennWest - Clarion’s M.S.L.S. with a concentration in local and archival studies provides students with theories and applications of appraising, arranging, describing, cataloging, preserving, and managing collections for a variety of cultural heritage settings. Workflows of digital formats and metadata creation for public access and reference work are a key component of courses, particularly in the areas of history, genealogy, and digital humanities.

Concentration Credits Required: 18


MSLS Reference and User Services Concentration


PennWest - Clarion’s M.S.L.S. with a concentration in reference and user services provides students with a skill set necessary to provide instruction and information services for patrons in all types of libraries. Students master skills in the areas of general reference sources and services, instructional design and delivery, specialized sources and services such as business sources, government information, resources in the humanities, and resources in the social sciences.

Concentration Credits Required: 12


MSLS School Librarianship Concentration


PennWest - Clarion’s M.S.L.S. with a concentration in school library media consists of courses that prepare students to be school librarians but does not grant actual school library media certification. A student wishing to obtain Pennsylvania Library Science Certification for K-12 who holds a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate can complete the M.S.L.S. school library media and then check with the Pennsylvania Department of Education for additional certification requirements. Students from other states should check with their state department of education to determine certification requirements.

Concentration Credits Required: 15


Related Electives


Number of related elective credits required depends on concentration (or no concentration selected).

Total Number of Credits to Complete the Program: 36


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