If you want to gain your initial license, the American Library Association accredited Master of Science in Information Science, and a PreK-12 School Library Endorsement, this is the option for you.

This option is for those that have never had a teaching license AND do not have an American Library Association accredited master’s degree in library or information sciences. You can learn more about the MSIS program on the master’s programs page and see a description of courses in the graduate catalog.

For those who do not hold an American Library Association accredited master’s degree, the requirements for initial licensure and PreK-12 School Library Endorsement include the three required courses (INSC 511, 512, and 514) plus INSC 551, 560, 571, 572, 595, or 596. Students can take up six hours of electives (two classes). In addition, students must complete two co-requisite courses from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (six credit hours) that count toward the master’s degree requirements. These courses include:

• Applied Educational Psychology EDPY 501 (3 hours) Application of concepts, principles, techniques, and models from educational psychology to facilitate student learning and creation of effective classroom environments.
• Special Education and Diverse Learners SPED 503 (3 hours) Characteristics and needs of students with disabilities and diverse learners with an emphasis on educational implications. Techniques, strategies, and resources for teaching and assessing students with diverse learning, behavioral, medical, and/or socio-cultural characteristics, and the requirements of special education and other relevant laws.

Upon completion of the requirements, students will earn a Master of Science in Information Sciences and a Tennessee State Department of Education license with the endorsement of 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12. 

Please email the program coordinator at [email protected] if you would like an updated advising sheet for this option.

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If you are currently or have been previously licensed as a teacher and want to gain the ALA-accredited Masters of Science in Information Science along with the PreK-12 School Library Endorsement, this is the option for you.

This option is for those that are currently or have ever been licensed in any state as a teacher but do not hold a master’s degree in library or information science. You can learn more about the MSIS program on the master’s programs page and see a description of courses in the graduate catalog.

The requirements include the three required courses (INSC 511, 512, and 514) plus INSC 551, 560, 571, and 572. Students may choose from a variety of electives that include INSC 573, 576, 577, 578, 596, or youth-oriented 590 special topics courses. INSC 596 Field Experience in School Libraries is optional. 

Upon completion of the requirements, students will earn a Master of Science in Information Sciences and receive the Tennessee State Department of Education 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12 endorsement.

Please email the program coordinator at [email protected] if you would like an updated advising sheet for this option.