What you will study
As you earn your Education Specialist in Librarianship degree from UCM, you’ll complete
core classes, electives and a capstone experience for graduation. More than half of
your classes will be electives you choose with faculty guidance, making our graduate
program a highly personalized learning experience. Some topics you will study during
your Education Specialist degree in Librarianship include:
- Library program advocacy
- Trends in children’s and young adult literature
- Instruction in multiple literacies
UCM’s Ed.S. in Librarianship degree program curriculum is designed to help you achieve
specific qualifications to benefit your career and take you one step closer to your
dream job.
Optional Pathway to an EdD in Education
UCM partners with Murray State University to offer graduate students a bridge to a
doctorate in Education. Our students have the option to complete the Ed.D. at Murray
State to gain additional librarianship qualifications that allow them to pursue careers
in higher education and research. Please see this page to learn more about the EdS to EdD cooperative bridge program
with Murray State.
Unique learning opportunities in librarianship
Pursuing librarianship as a profession requires intensive study and hands-on training.
UCM’s Education Specialist degree in Librarianship features real-word learning, including
internship and research opportunities. Students in this graduate program can complete
one or both of these experiential learning opportunities.
- Internships: Gain in-person experience and work alongside those who have chosen librarianship as
a profession in, for example, a local school. UCM helps you locate internship opportunities
that align with your career goals and academic interests.
- Evidence-based learning: In the EdS program, students will not only hone your research skills but also allow
you to contribute to the field and bolster your librarianship qualifications. EdS
students choose between a research project or a thesis for their capstone. Both allow
students to explore a topic of their choice more deeply and gather evidence to evaluate
its effectiveness. Recent research projects include Recent theses by graduate students
include “Coding and the Role of the School Librarian,” “Graphic Novels and the Classroom”
and “School Librarian Collaborations to Improve Reading.” A research project is a
great option for candidates interested in improving their practice or becoming leaders
in their field. The thesis option is a popular choice among graduate students planning
on pursuing a doctorate in education or a career in higher education.
What can you do with a Librarianship degree from UCM?
UCM’s Education Specialist degree in Librarianship helps you develop the highly marketable
skills in leadership, teaching and technology you need to pursue librarianship as
a profession. Our graduates with librarianship qualifications move on to fulfilling
careers as library directors, researchers, corporate educators and librarians in K–20
classrooms and military settings. You can also pursue jobs as library directors and
library branch managers.
Careers for graduates with an Education Specialist degree in Librarianship
Use the interactive tool below to learn more about careers, job outlooks, earning
potential and more with librarianship qualifications.
Financial assistance options for your Librarianship degree
UCM provides financial support and guidance to all of our students. We offer several
ways to help you offset the cost of your Education Specialist degree in Librarianship,
including scholarships and federal financial aid.
You can also apply for external scholarships offered by private sources, community
organizations and professional societies. The Missouri Association of School Librarians
(MASL), for example, offers financial awards for students pursuing a degree in Librarianship.
In addition to private and university-wide financial awards, you may also qualify
for scholarships such as:
- Suzanne Foster Scholarship in Library Science
- Beatrice Ricks Library Scholarship
- Dr. Aileen Helmick Memorial Scholarship in Library Science
Learn more about program-specific scholarships by using the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Meet Matthew K.
Ed.S. Librarianship ’19 - Elementary school librarian
“UCM prepared me for the pivotal role of a school librarian by giving me the foundation
I needed in learning, literature and leadership to have a positive and lasting impact
on my community.”
Meet Heather F.
Ed.S. Librarianship ’20 - High school librarian
“Through UCM, I developed relationships and was given professional opportunities beyond
my expectations. I was able to complete my MLS, my initial teaching certification
and my Ed.S., all while working full time in education, in just three years.”
Meet Dr. René Burress
Coordinator of library science and information services
Dr. Burress earned a Ph.D. in Library and Information Management from Emporia State
University in Kansas, as well as an M.S. in Library Science and an Ed.S. in Learning
Resources from UCM. Dr. Burress’ extensive experience as a school librarian and her
recent research on school librarianship benefit not only her students but also student
learning across UCM.
Ed.S. to Ed.D. Bridge
Partnership with Murray State University
Once you complete your Education Specialist degree in Librarianship at the University
of Central Missouri, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a two-year doctorate in
education through our partnership with Murray State University.
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