Overview
Program Coordinator: Dr. Ramona A. Kerby
Program Delivery Format: Online, 8-week sessions.
Total Credits: 36
Average Completion Time: 24 months
Admission: Fall, Spring, and Summer (two admission options each semester, six entry points a year)
For more information contact:
Graduate Admissions: Crystal Perry, Assistant Director, Graduate Enrollment Management
cperry@mcdaniel.edu
(410) 857-2516
McDaniel Graduate and Professional Studies - gpsadvising@mcdaniel.edu or 410.857.2500.
The school librarianship graduate program is designed to create outstanding teachers, instructional leaders, and administrators of quality school library centers. The degree 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 demonstrates an understanding of our professional standards.
The SLM program is nationally recognized and approved by the American Library Association (ALA) / American Association of School Librarians (AASL). The SLM program adheres to the ALA/AASL School Librarian Preparation Standards (2019). Embedded in the course content are the five standards: (1) The Learner and Learning, (2) Planning for Instruction, (3) Knowledge and Application of Content, (4) Organization and Access, and (5) Leadership, Advocacy, and Professional Responsibility.
This comprehensive 36-credit graduate program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. Pennsylvania State Department of Education guidelines are addressed during the advisement process for students seeking employment in and/or licensure in Pennsylvania.
McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. McDaniel is working toward Initial Accreditation Status for its educator preparation programs with an anticipated accreditation review in Spring 2024.
Admissions Requirements
Candidates seeking admission to the School Librarianship program must submit the following documentation:
- Application for graduate study
- Official transcripts conferring bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution
- Current and valid teaching certificate such as Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary or related fields; OR MSDE qualifying scores for the Praxis Core Exam, SAT, GRE, or ACT
- An essay of approximately 250 words describing the applicant’s professional goals as they relate to the SLM professional roles as leader, teacher, and information specialist as identified by the American Association of School Librarians
- Three completed reference forms with at least one from the applicant’s principal
*Based on MSDE COMAR rules for Library Media Specialist certification, applicants not holding teaching certification must take a minimum of twelve credit hours in education at the undergraduate or graduate level prior to beginning the SLM program. For help in selecting the required education courses, contact the program coordinator, Dr. Ramona Kerby before enrolling in them.
State Authorization
McDaniel is an approved institutional member of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses/programs offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. For more information about SARA, including the states currently participating in the agreement, visit http://www.nc.sara.org.
SARA membership allows McDaniel to accept and deliver our programs/courses online to students in 49 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Students who reside in California, currently the only state not a member of SARA, should contact the admissions office prior to application to verify if you are eligible to participate in the online program of interest.
For more information about state authorization requirements and complaint resolution, visit https://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/graduate-professional-studies/state-authorization-requirements-complaints-resolution
