Master of Education

Library Media

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  • Prepares educators for a role as an effective school librarian
  • Curriculum emphasizes technology
  • Fully online

Program Details

Next Start Date
January 16th
Est. Program Length
2 years
Course Length
8 weeks
Cost per Credit
$377.80*
Credit Hours
32
Credits Accepted
9

*Price reflects tuition for Oklahoma residents. Non-resident tuition is $713.80 per credit hour. There is a non-resident tuition waiver available if certain requirements are met. Speak to an enrollment counselor for more information. An additional semester fee of $89 will apply for all students and possible charges for course related fees. Fees and tuition subject to change.

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Turn the Page in Your Education Career

Improve student performance, inspire learning and advance in your career with the online M.Ed. in Library Media program at East Central University. Designed for working educators who want to earn a school library media specialist certification, this program helps you develop the skills you need to specialize in your career.

To see job descriptions of careers check out the Career Outlook tab.

Because our master’s in library media program is offered fully online, you’ll have the ultimate flexibility you need as a working educator. Attend class and complete coursework whenever it’s right for you and keep your work and personal commitments without quitting your job or rearranging your schedule. 


Topics of Study

Our library media online program features a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of school librarianship, including technology. Key topics include:

  • Instructional media
  • Children’s and young adult literature
  • Multimedia technology
  • Research techniques
  • Instructional design
  • Intellectual property
  • Library administration
  • Materials selection
  • Cataloging and classification
  • Literacy
  • Reference materials

Additionally, you will be required to complete a 40-hour practicum to gain real-world experience and receive professional guidance from an experienced mentor in the field.


Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, you will be able to meet the following standards set forth by the American Association of School Librarians:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of learning styles, stages of human growth and development and cultural influences on learning.
  • Assess learner needs and design instruction that reflects educational best practice.
  • Support the learning of all students and other members of the learning community, including those with diverse learning styles, physical and intellectual disabilities and needs.
  • Base 21st-century skills instruction on student interests and learning needs and link it to the assessment of student achievement.
  • Implement principles of effective teaching and learning that contribute to an active, inquiry-based approach to learning.
  • Make use of a variety of instructional strategies and assessment tools to design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessment in partnership with classroom teachers and other educators.
  • Document and communicate the impact of collaborative instruction on student achievement.
  • Model, share and promote effective principles of teaching and learning as collaborative partners with other educators.
  • Acknowledge the importance of participating in curriculum development, engaging in school improvement processes and of offering professional development to other educators as it relates to library and information use.
  • Advocate for 21st-century literacy skills to support the learning needs of the school community.
  • Collaborate with other teachers to plan and implement AASL standards for the 21st-century learner and state student curriculum standards.
  • Employ strategies to integrate multiple literacies with content curriculum.
  • Integrate the use of emerging technologies as a means for effective and creative teaching and to support P-12 students’ conceptual understanding, critical thinking and creative processes.

Courses & Requirements

Our online Master of Library Science degree requires a total of 32 credit hours.

Students without a background in children’s literature will need to one of these courses (or transfer equivalent):

EDLBS 4913

or

EDLBS 5913
EDUC 5113
LIBSC 5113
LIBSC 5133
LIBSC 5213
LIBSC 5233
LIBSC 5923
LIBSC 5973

Select a minimum of 6 credit hours:

EDLBS 5333
EDUC 5003
EDUC 5363
LIBSC 5353
EDUC 5933
LIBSC 5952
EDLBS 5913
EDUC 5082
EDUC 5233
EDUC 5263
EDUC 5603
EDUC 5981-4

Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the M.Ed. in Library Media online program you must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a minimum cumulative 2.5 grade-point average for all undergraduate coursework to date; or
  • Have a minimum 2.75 GPA for the last 60 credit hours of coursework; or
  • Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for at least 9 credit hours of graduate coursework

How to Apply

To apply, you must submit the following materials: 

  • Online application
  • Transcripts of all completed work (baccalaureate and graduate) from an accredited institution
  • Current teaching certificate
  • Resumé
  • Two references
  • A personal statement. Explain your career goals, how an ECU degree will help you accomplish those goals, your interest in the field and any actions you have taken to pursue this interest. You must also describe any skills, attributes or experiences you possess that would aid in your future profession.

Have a question about this program or the admission process? Get connected to one of our knowledgeable enrollment counselors.

Costs & Financial Aid

Curriculum ComponentRequirementsCostTotal
Tuition32 credit hours$377.80*$12,089.60
Total with transfer credits (up to 9)$8,689.40

*Price reflects tuition for Oklahoma residents. Non-resident tuition is $713.80 per credit hour. There is a non-resident tuition waiver available if certain requirements are met. Speak to an enrollment counselor for more information. An additional semester fee of $89 will apply for all students and possible charges for course related fees. Fees and tuition subject to change.

Financial Aid

At ECU Online, we strive to ensure your education is as affordable as possible. Learn more about your options for financing your education by visiting our Financial Aid page.

View Financial Aid

Military Benefits

East Central University is a proud military-friendly school. Discover how your status as a U.S. military veteran or active-duty service member can help you earn your degree by visiting our Military & Veterans page.

View Military Benefits

Native American Students

Eligible Native American students can find financial aid programs, heritage scholarships, grants, and academic support services to help ensure their success at ECU.

View our Native American Students page

Are You the First in Your Family to Go to College?

At ECU, we recognize that “going first” can be difficult. We provide the extra financial support, scholarships, resources, services, and skills you need to succeed.

View our First-Generation College Students page

Transfer Students

If you’ve taken college-level courses elsewhere, you could save time and money earning your degree by transferring credits to ECU and may qualify for scholarships.

View our Transfer Students page

Career Outlook

When you earn a degree as a library media specialist, you gain a credential that allows you to build expertise and advance your career. A couple of possible careers for graduates include:

School Librarian

School librarians are responsible for managing day-to-day activities regarding collections and students in the K-12 educational setting. They may be responsible for assisting students with finding books and resources, selecting, classifying and cataloging library materials, checking books in and out of the library, organizing materials and other related duties.

Average annual salary: $49,476

School Library Media Specialist

School library media specialists are responsible for helping teachers and students use media such as the internet or card catalogs. Usually former teachers, they may be charged with helping students identify media, instructing students how to use the equipment, helping others with resources or developing curriculum for multimedia instruction.

Average annual salary: $48,576

All information cited from PayScale.

Program FAQs

When working with students as a school librarian, it is especially important to find ways to fully engage them in the learning process. The advanced academic training that comes with a master’s degree teaches you how to fully engage students, expose them to challenging and exciting learning materials and help other teachers build curricula that can lead to student success. 

Library science is the study of managing, collective, preserving and organizing information. Those who study this field learn to work with books, media, information technology and other materials. They learn to sort, care for, develop collections and help disseminate these materials to the public. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for librarians are expected to grow steadily through 2026. 

While school librarians are responsible for working with any number of materials, library media specialists focus on working with audiovisual resources and digital technology. Librarians are charged with helping patrons find information and perform research, choosing materials for the library, managing budgets, planning programs and more. Library media specialists may be responsible for helping teachers design curricula, helping patrons navigate information technology resources, providing instructional materials and other related duties. To see job descriptions of both careers check out the Career Outlook tab.

ECU Online features a long history of teacher training excellence. In fact, we have more experience in educating teachers than in any other academic area. The program features instructors with years of experience in their field and a rigorous curriculum that successfully prepares you for the next step in your career. Because the program is offered online, it also means you have ultimate flexibility when earning your degree. 

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