Graduate Catalog  |  School of Graduate Studies  |

• Table of Contents
•  |  Graduate Programs
•  |  Graduate Course Descriptions
•  |  Admissions Information
•  |  Alphabetical Index

Information Media Graduate Programs (IM)

Offered through the Department of Information Media
in the School of Education
B118 Education Building
Phone: 320.308.2062
Fax: 320.308.2932
E-mail: im@stcloudstate.edu
Web site: www.stcloudstate.edu/im
A three-year Look at IM Course Offerings

Information Media Chair: Dr. Mert Thompson
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Marcia Thompson

Specific Graduate Track Advisors:
Info Media — Information Technologies: Dr. Marcia Thompson, Dr. Mert Thompson
Info Media — Educational Media: Dr, Marcia Thompson, Dr. Mert Thompson
Info Media — Instructional Design and Training: Dr. Anderson, Dr. Park
Instructional Technology Certificate:Dr. Mert Thompson
Design for E-Learning Certificate: Dr. Mert Thompson
Library Media Specialist Certificate: Dr. Marcia Thompson

Graduate Faculty: Anderson, Park, Marcia Thompson, Mert Thompson.

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

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

Online and On Campus Graduate Programs

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

Online and On Campus Certificates

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

Licensure

• Library Media Specialist Licensure

Program Overview — Information Media, Master of Science

The Department of Information Media through the School 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

• For admission consideration to the program, a candidate must first meet the minimum GPA admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies at St. Cloud State University.
• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution is required.
• Undergraduate GPA is closely reviewed. A large emphasis is placed on scholarship within the undergraduate core.
• The GRE is required of all applicants, unless:
  • you have an undergraduate cumulative GPA at 3.25 or above on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) from an accredited institution in a country where English is the sole official language.
  • you have a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in a country where English is the sole official language.
• If required to take the GRE, applicants must have a score of 3.0 or higher on the analytical writing portion.
• A written statement of intent that meets departmental quality standards. An applicant’s statement of intent (professional goals) and letters of recommendation are weighted heavily in the admission decision.
• Admission decisions are made as completed application files are received and an interview completed.
• Ordinarily no more than ten graduate credits completed prior to being accepted can be applied to a graduate program.
  

Application Deadlines

• Domestic admission application deadlines
• International admission application deadlines

Gainful Employment

Certain undergraduate and graduate certificates at St. Cloud State University prepare students for employment in specific fields and do not result in a degree. Federal law requires publication of data associated with those programs of study, including approximate program costs, program length, and employment statistics. The Minnesota State Colleges and University's (MnSCU) Chancellor's office has provided these reports containing the aforementioned information for all required programs.

• Design for E-Learning and Instructional Technology Certificates (pdf).
• Library Media Specialist Certificate (pdf).

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 Department of Information Media or with Learning Resources 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.

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 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 credits

• 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 advisor 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 should be taken at the end of the program IM 697 or IM 699.

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 credits

• 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 advisor. 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 eligible 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 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 credits

• 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, 13-17 credits

• 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 advisor. 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 advisor.

Course Sequencing for Program Three

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

Culminating Course Work and Activities

These courses should be taken at the end of the program IM 697 or IM 699.

Library Media Specialist Certificate- 15 credits

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 MTLE tests.

Admission Requirements Specific to the Program

• For admission consideration to the program, a candidate must first meet the minimum GPA admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies at St. Cloud State University.
• The GRE is not required for licensure admission consideration.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
• Apply for admission to the Library Media Specialist Graduate Certificate Program through the School of Graduate Studies.
• Students must meet with the licensure advisor in the Department of Information Media to plan the sequence of courses required and complete a certificate program of study form indicating the appropriate courses for licensure.  
• Admission decisions are made throughout the year, as completed application files are received. Students may start the program fall, spring and summer terms.

Advising

• 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.