School Library Information Specialist Graduate Certificate
Do you already have a master’s degree from an American Library Association-accredited graduate program but are interested in becoming a school librarian? The School Library Information Specialist Graduate Certificate provides pathways for students with a degree from an ALA-accredited program to acquire a Tennessee teaching license and the 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12 endorsement.
Program Overview
The School Library Information Specialist certificate is for any new student, current student, or previously enrolled student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who has a master’s in library or information sciences from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). The certificate, in combination with a master’s degree and the successful completion of the School Librarian Praxis 5312 exam, will allow students to become certified as PreK-12 school librarians in Tennessee.
NOTE: We are unable to accept transfer credits from programs that have not been accredited by the American Library Association.
For those who hold an ALA-accredited master’s degree, the requirements for this certificate are between 12 and 23 graduate credit hours and include two co-requisite graduate courses from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (six credit hours). Students enrolled in the School Library Information Specialist Certificate have the option to pursue licensure through student teaching or as job-embedded practitioners.
The courses required to complete this certificate are determined on an individual basis and upon the evaluation of the student’s transcript by the School of Information Sciences Director of Graduate Studies.
Upon completion of the requirements, students will earn a graduate certificate and a Tennessee State Department of Education license with the 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12 endorsement.
Request more information by emailing us at: [email protected]
Why get a graduate certificate in School Librarianship?
To be a school librarian in Tennessee and in many other states requires an active teaching license and the 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12 endorsement. This graduate certificate is designed to streamline the process for licensure and to allow librarians and information specialists to change careers and work in public schools.
All courses for the certificate are taught by expert faculty at the School of Information Sciences and the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. All courses are offered online; some courses are offered asynchronously to allow flexibility and fit the busy schedules of professional librarians.
For the required clinical experience, students in Tennessee have the option to acquire licensure through traditional student teaching or as job-embedded practitioners. Students outside of Tennessee might have similar options.
What can you do with a graduate certificate in School Librarianship?
The completion of the Library Information Specialist certificate gives students the opportunity to obtain their Tennessee teaching license and the 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12 endorsement so they can work in public and private schools.
Please email the program coordinator at [email protected] if you would like an updated advising sheet for this certificate.
Featured Courses
Certificate curriculum and requirements
INSC 551 – School Libraries
Planning, implementing, and evaluating school library programs. Curricular involvement, role of technology, site-based management, relationships with district and state services.
INSC 560- Development and Management of Collections
Selecting and preserving collection items, regardless of format, to meet users’ needs; community analysis; policies and procedures; evaluation; purchasing.
INSC 571 – Children’s Materials
Critical survey of diverse children’s materials, for birth through age 12, in all formats and genres. Emphasis on evaluation, selection, and use in school and public libraries.
INSC 572- Young Adult Materials
Critical survey of diverse young adult materials, for ages 13-18, in all formats and genres. Emphasis on evaluation, selection, and use in school and public libraries.
Scot Smith
Assistant Professor of Practice
Request more information by emailing Scot at [email protected]
