Admission to the Division of School Library Studies

Our Program:
The School Library Studies program is distance-friendly, yet retains a sense of identification with UNI and establishes for our students a network of colleagues throughout the state. Many of our students work full time and are able to complete the master's within a few years. Most courses are taught as hybrids with some time over the Internet, some synchronous time with Adobe Connect, possibly ICN meetings, and some have 1-3 days on campus (Saturdays or summers). Delivery methods are subject to change.

You will find course requirements and information about the courses at this site. http://www.uni.edu/coe/departments/curriculum-instruction/school-library-studies

Cohort groups begin with the course SLS 5114 Introduction to the School Library Program and one other course. Groups typically complete 2 courses each semester that will be offered specifically for the cohort group. Those who wish to move through the program one course at a time also have that option, as do students who wish to be full time. All 33 hours of coursework could be completed in a 2-3 year time frame. The master's program requires a master's research paper or thesis. The Introduction course, which is a prerequisite to all other courses in the program, meets face to face several times and uses an online learning environment. Course meeting dates will be listed when the course schedules are published. FOR FALL 2013, THE INTRODUCTION COURSE WILL HAVE A REQUIRED CLASS MEETING AUGUST 24 ON THE UNI CAMPUS.

Our MA degree (along with a valid Iowa Teaching License) meets the State of Iowa

requirements for the K-12 teacher librarian endorsement #174. For more information,

see the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners' site at http://www.iowa.gov/boee/tilal.html .
If you do not have a teaching license, you must complete teacher education coursework

before beginning your Master’s Degree in School Library Studies. If you are a post BA

student and have been in the workforce for several years, you may wish to look into an

alternative licensure program call the Iowa Intern License Pathway through this link: http://www.uni.edu/coe/special-programs/iowa-teacher-intern-license-pathway

We do not provide advising for these programs, but contacts are listed there.

Admission:
Complete the UNI Graduate Admissions application, which is online at:http://www.uni.edu/admissions/apply

**Select the master's degree major, School Library Studies, code 353

Please be sure you have requested all of your transcripts and they have been received by the UNI Admissions office. This can sometimes take a while. Once your file is complete, you will be notified by email from the Admissions office, and your file will be sent to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for consideration of your admission to the Master’s in School Library Studies Program.

It is your responsibility to monitor the progress of your application.

An automatically generated email from the Admissions Office will provide you with your UNI identification information, your UNI communication system (MyUniverse) username (CAT ID) and password information. You will also be given directions to check the status of your application online through the MyUniverse website, Student Services Center section. (Please check your junk e-mail folder as these messages are sometimes filtered and sent there)

If you have questions, contact Laurie Russell at laurie.russell@uni.edu or by phone at 319-273-2623.

Admission criteria include a required 3.0 GPA or above in a previous degree program based on a 4.0 scale and a satisfactory score on a proctored writing test. The proctored writing test will be administered from our office following your application, using proctors arranged by the applicant. Please contact Ann Crawford : ann.crawford@uni.edu to make arrangements at your earliest convenience.

Once an admission decision has been made, you will be notified by letter from the Curriculum and Instruction Department Office. At that time, you will be assigned to a cohort group and will be able to register for classes online at www.uni.edu/continuinged/enroll-now through the UNI Continuing Education office.

Financial Aid:
Iowa teacher shortage areas are designated annually by the Iowa Department of Education. Teachers in shortage areas may be eligible for college student forgivable loans through both state and federal programs. Shortage areas for 2013-2014 school year are listed at the link below. Teacher librarian k-8 and 5-12 are on this list.

Information regarding application for forgivable loans is available at the Iowa College Student Aid Commission website at : http//www.iowacollegeaid.gov

Students working toward a graduate degree full time, who wish to work 20 hours a week on campus in the department, may apply for a tuition scholarship and graduate assistantship within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

See the C&I website for more information http://www.uni.edu/coe/departments/curriculum-instruction/graduate-study/scholarships-assistantships

Dates to Note:
You can apply at any time. We will start a new cohort group in August, 2013. Applicants who complete the application and writing exam by June 1, 2013, will be given first consideration. The next cohort start after August 2013 is tentatively planned for August 2014.

Please let us know if you have any other questions at this point. We'd be happy to schedule a phone or in person appointment with you if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Dr. Karla Krueger

Ann Crawford, Secretary, School Library Studies Program

ann.crawford@uni.edu
(319) 273-2050

Mary Lou Kirk Scholarship //////// Rigmor Madsen Scholarship

Graduate College Scholarship Application