Overview
The school library graduate program seeks to education candidates who will strive to become outstanding teachers, instructional leaders, and administrators of quality school library centers. As enthusiastic readers and technology users, SLM candidates will model lifelong learning for their school communities. As leaders, they will embrace the first amendment rights of students by providing access to materials and resisting all efforts to censor what students read.
The program offers courses in literature for children and young adults, technology, selecting quality materials that meet the needs of diverse learners, administering a school library program, a significant practicum experience, and a digital portfolio course that demonstrate an understanding of our professional standards.
The SLM program endorses the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Information Power: Building Partnership for Learning. Course objectives are aligned with the 2003 American Library Association/American Association of School Librarians Standards for Initial Programs for School Library Media Specialist Preparation.
Use of Information and Ideas: Candidates encourage reading and lifelong learning by stimulating interests and fostering competencies in the effective use of ideas and information. They apply a variety of strategies to ensure access to resources and information in a variety of formats to all members of the learning community.
Teaching and Learning: Candidates model and promote collaborative planning with classroom teachers. They develop and deliver an integrated information skills curriculum. They design and implement instruction that engages the student’s interest, passions, and needs.
Collaboration and Leadership: Candidates create outstanding library programs that support student learning. They encourage professional growth within their school communities and professional organizations by sharing their knowledge of teaching, literature, and technology.
Program Administration: Candidates administer the school library program according to the principles of best practice in library science and program administration.
This comprehensive 37-credit graduate school library program is nationally recognized and accredited by the American Association of School Librarians and National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education. It has been evaluated and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education and meets MSDE certification requirements as a school library media specialist for graduate K-12. Candidates seeking Pennsylvania certification will take the exit Praxis exam at the end of their program and follow their local district guidelines.
Initial Admission
Candidates are selected for the School Librarianship program based on review of a complete application packet, including the following criteria:
- application for graduate study with non-refundable fee
- official transcripts conferring bachelors degree (minimum 3.0* GPA) from an accredited institution
- a written goal statement describing the applicant’s personal and professional goals as they relate to the SLM profession
- Copy of state-designated qualifying scores for the Praxis I exam
- Copy of initial teaching certificate**
- Three reference forms
*Candidates not meeting this criterion may be admitted to the program on a conditional basis. Full acceptance status will be reviewed after the candidate has completed the three courses required for full acceptance.
**Candidates not holding teaching certification must take a minimum of twelve credit hours in education at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Full Acceptance
• Meet all admission requirements.
• Complete first three courses in this order: SLM 503, SLM 509, and SLM 506 with a 3.0 GPA or better.
• Complete the matriculation self-assessment checklist and submit it to the SLM program coordinator.
A minimum of six credits is required for financial aid. Graduate candidates carry anywhere from three to twelve credits per semester. Candidates should refer to program handbooks or academic advisors for determining academic load.
A minimum of six credits is required for financial aid. Graduate candidates carry anywhere from three to twelve credits per semester. Candidates should refer to program handbooks or academic advisors for determining academic load.
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