Graduate Catalog  |  School of Graduate Studies  |

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•  |  Graduate Course Descriptions
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Information Media Graduate Programs (IM)

Offered through the Center for Information Media
in the College of Education
110 Miller Center
Phone: 320.308.2062
Fax: 320.308.4778
E-mail: cim@stcloudstate.edu
Web: www.stcloudstate.edu/cim
A three-year Look at IM Course Offerings

Center for Information Media Director: Dr. Kristi Tornquist
Department Secretary: Ms. Lucy Supan

Center for Information Media Coordinator: Dr. Mert Thompson
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Marcia Thompson

Specific Graduate Track Advisers:
Info Media — Information Technologies: Drs. Hergert, Mert Thompson
Info Media — Educational Media: Drs. C. Inkster, Marcia Thompson, Mert Thompson
Info Media — Instructional Design and Training: Drs. Anderson, Hill, Park, Thoms
Instructional Technology Certificate: Dr. Thomas Hergert
Design for E-Learning Certificate: Dr. Mert Thompson
Library Media Specialist Certificate: Dr. Marcia Thompson

Graduate Faculty: Anderson, Hergert, Hill, C. Inkster, Miltenoff, Park, Marcia Thompson, Mert Thompson, Thoms.

Most graduate course offerings are available on campus or online.

Accreditations Specific to the Program

• Association for Educational Communications and Technology
• American Association of School Libraries
• ibstpi Recognized Materials

Information Media Options

• Master of Science Degrees (M.S.)
  • Information Technologies

  • F A Q	Do you have questions about the Minnesota School Media Specialist Licensure? Get your answers here...

    Educational Media

Online Programs

• Master of Science in Information Media
  • Information Technologies
  • Educational Media
  • Instructional Design and Training

Certificate Programs

• Instructional Technology
• Design for E-Learning
• Library Media Specialist

Licensure

• School Library Media Specialist Licensure

Program Overview — Information Media, Master of Science

The Center for Information Media through the College of Education provides three distinct graduate program tracks leading to a Master of Science in Information Media.

• Information Technologies
• Educational Media
• Instructional Design and Training

Applicants must pick one of the three tracks. The underlying philosophy of these programs is the development of leadership skills that make it possible to work with people to provide appropriate services to meet their needs. An essential characteristic of the three graduate tracks is the incorporation of the theory and application of current and developing technologies into leadership functions, and message design, and delivery.

Admission Requirements Specific to the Program

• Admission decisions are made as completed application files are received and an interview completed.
• Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution:
  • have a minimum of a 2.75 GPA over the last half of their undergraduate education.
  • or a GRE score of 480 verbal and a score of 3.0 on the analytical writing portion of the GRE test.
  • or a GRE score of 520 quantitative and a score of 3.0 on the analytical writing portion of the GRE test.
• Preliminary oral interview and a written essay are required for admission.
• Ordinarily no more than six graduate credits completed prior to being accepted can be applied to a graduate program.
• An applicant’s statement of professional goals and letters of recommendation are weighted heavily in the admission decision.

Length of Program — Measured by Semesters

• Part-time student: seven semesters taking six credits per semester.
• Full-time student: three to four semesters taking 12 credits per semester.
• The program has been designed to accommodate both part-time and full-time students.
• All courses are offered in the evening during the academic year.
• Most courses are also offered during the summer sessions.

Graduate Assistantship Overview

• Four graduate assistantship positions are generally sponsored each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.
• Graduate assistantships are generally in the Center for Information Media or with Learning Resources and Technology Services. Emphasis is placed on applying concepts and theories presented in classes to a work setting.

Employers

• Employers are outlined within the three graduate track options.

Degrees and Plans Offered

• Master of Science in Information Media: Information Technologies, Plan A (Thesis) at 42 credits
• Master of Science in Information Media: Information Technologies, Plan B (Starred Paper) at 39 credits
• Master of Science in Information Media: Information Technologies, Plan C (Portfolio) at 39 credits
• Master of Science in Information Media: Educational Media, Plan A (Thesis) at 42 credits
• Master of Science in Information Media: Educational Media, Plan B (Starred Paper) at 39 credits
• Master of Science in Information Media: Educational Media, Plan C (Portfolio) at 39 credits
• Master of Science in Information Media: Instructional Design and Training, Plan A (Thesis) at 42 credits
• Master of Science in Information Media: Instructional Design and Training, Plan B (Starred Paper) at 39 credits
• Master of Science in Information Media: Instructional Design and Training, Plan C (Portfolio) at 39 credits

It is recommended that the courses IM 502, 554 and 620 or 632 be taken early in the program. All candidates are required to successfully complete a comprehensive written examination based on the major material covered in individual tracks and to participate in an exit interview prior to graduation.

Master of Science — Information Media

Program One: Information Technologies

Plan A, 42 credits; Plan B or Plan C, 39 credits

Program one is designed for persons interested in increasing their use of information/instructional technologies in classrooms and schools.

• This program builds on the technology certificate program to provide competencies needed to become a technology coordinator in educational settings.
• Program one is also designed for persons interested in gaining competencies leading to a career in information technologies in various business, government, and industry settings.
• This program is designed for both full-time and part-time students and can be completed through regular evening instruction. Many of the courses are also available during the summer sessions.

Research courses
Plan A, 9 credit minimum; Plan B, 5 credit minimum; Plan C, 3 credit minimum

• IM 608. Research Methods in Media, 3 credits
• IM 697. Starred Paper, 2 credits (Plan B only)
• IM 699. Thesis, 6 credits (Plan A only)

Core courses
Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C, 14 credit minimum

• IM 502. Information Media: Theory, Research, and Practice, 2 credits
• IM 504. Instructional Design I, 3 credits
• IM 552. Access to Information, 3 credits
• IM 554. Developing Skills for Online Learning, 3 credits
• IM 555. Design and Preparation of Multimedia Presentations I, 3 credits

Application courses
Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C, 9 credits

• IM 556. Design and Preparation of Multimedia Presentations II, 3 credits
• IM 612. Technologies in the Workplace, 3 credits
• IM 616. Social Implications and Human Factors in Information Technology, 3 credits

Elective courses
Plan A, 10 credits; Plan B, 11 credits, Plan C, 13 credits

Courses to be selected in consultation with adviser from related fields, general study from courses, or courses in the major.

Course Sequencing for Program One

Preliminary course work: Courses in the major core should be taken at the beginning of the program.

Culminating course work and activities
These courses must be taken at the end of the program IM 608 and IM 697, 699 or Plan C portfolio.

Program Two: Educational Media

Plan A, 42 credits; Plan B, or Plan C, 39 credits

Program two incorporates all of the competency requirements leading to licensure as a school library media specialist and is specifically structured for persons desiring a career in the K-12 schools.

• To be eligible, students must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and must meet the standards of effective practice competencies.
• This program is designed for both full-time and part-time students and can be completed through regular evening instruction. It can also be completed through summer session courses.

Research courses
Plan A, 9 credits; Plan B, 5 credits; Plan C, 3 credits

• IM 608. Research Methods in Media, 3 credits
• IM 697. Starred Paper, 2 credits (Plan B only)
• IM 699. Thesis, 6 credits (Plan A only)

Core courses
Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C, 14 credit minimum

• IM 502. Information Media: Theory, Research, and Practice, 2 credits
• IM 504. Instructional Design I, 3 credits
• IM 552. Access to Information, 3 credits
• IM 554. Developing Skills for Online Learning, 3 credits
• IM 555. Design and Preparation of Multimedia Presentations I, 3 credits

Application courses
Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C, 15 credits

• IM 612. Technologies in the Workplace, 3 credits
• IM 620. The School Library Media Program, 2 credits
• IM 622. Media Selection and Evaluation for Children and Young Adults, 2 credits
• IM 623. Reading, Listening and Viewing Guidance, 2 credits
• IM 624. Organization of Information Resources, 3 credits
• IM 628. Administration of Media, 3 credits

Elective courses
Plan A, 4 credits; Plan B, 5 credits; Plan C, 7 credits

• Courses to be selected in consultation with the adviser. Choose electives from related fields, general study courses, or courses in the major.

Program Three: Instructional Design and Training

Plan A, 42 credits; Plan B, or Plan C, 39 credits

Program three, an information media master’s degree in instructional design and training, is for those interested in organizational media management in business, industrial, governmental, and health fields. The degree is designed to prepare an individual with competencies such as problem analysis, program development, resource management, personnel/performance evaluation, and instructional design.

• Program three gives students a basic framework for undertaking a training or instructional design position, while at the same time developing the specific skills necessary for the practicing professional.
• This program is designed for both full-time and part-time students and can be completed online or through evening courses.
• Online eligibility
  International students may be part of an online program while in their home country. International students on the F-1 or J-1 visas and in the U.S. are not eligibile for online academic programs at St. Cloud State University due to the requirements set by the Department of Homeland Security.

Research courses
Plan A, 9 credit minimum; Plan B, 5 credit minimum; Plan C, 3 credit minimum

• IM 608. Research Methods in Media, 3 credits
• IM 697. Starred Paper, 2 credits (Plan B, only)
• IM 699. Thesis, 6 credits (Plan A only)

Core courses
Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C, 14 credit minimum

• IM 502. Information Media: Theory, Research, and Practice, 2 credits
• IM 504. Instructional Design I, 3 credits
• IM 552. Access to Information, 3 credits
• IM 554. Developing Skills for Online Learning, 3 credits
• IM 555. Design and Preparation of Multimedia Presentations I, 3 credits

Application courses
Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C, 12-16 credit minimum

• IM 556. Design and Preparation of Multimedia Presentations II, 3 credits
• IM 632. Training/Human Resource Development, 2 credits
• IM 634. Principles of Instructional Design II, 3 credits
• IM 638. Organizational Training and Media Management, 3 credits
  
• IM 680. Internship in Media, 2-6 credits

Elective courses
Plan A, 2-6 credits; Plan B, 3-7 credits; Plan C, 5-9 credits

• Courses to be selected in consultation with the adviser. Choose electives from related fields, general study courses, or courses in the major. Students may be required to select courses in management and marketing with consultation of the adviser.

Course Sequencing for Program Three

• Courses in the core should be taken at the beginning of the program.

Culminating course work and activities

• The research courses must be taken at the end of the program: IM 608 and IM 697, 699, or Plan C portfolio.

Library Media Specialist Certificate

The graduate Library Media Specialist (LMS) Certificate is designed to provide an academic credential for those individuals not seeking a Master's degree but who are pursuing licensure as a library media specialist. To receive an LMS Certificate, students must complete:

• IM 620 The School Library Media Program - 2 credits
  IM 628 Administration of Media - 3 credits and
• 10 additional credits selected from the series of courses approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching for licensure of library media specialists.

To qualify for Minnesota licensure as a School Library Media Specialists candidates must complete any other course work necessary to meet the competencies specified in State of Minnesota Rule 8710.2000 and 8710.4550 and pass the applicable Praxis tests.

Admission Requirements Specific to the Certificate

• Certificate applicants must submit a SCSU Graduate Admission Application along with the admission fee.
• Students must meet with the licensure adviser in the Center for Information Media to plan the sequence of courses required and complete a certificate program of study form indicating the appropriate courses for licensure.  
• Certificate applicants are not required to take the GRE for admission.

Additional Requirements Specific to the Certificate

• Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0; no grade less than B- is accepted for certificate courses.
• At the completion of 8 credits, students must successfully complete a review of LMS skills and dispositions to determine licensure progress.
• At the completion of the certificate courses, students must participate in an exit interview with at least three members of the faculty.