Overview
Program Coordinator: Dr. Ramona A. Kerby
Program Delivery Format: Online, 8-week sessions.
Total Credits: 36
Average Completion Time: 24 months
Admission Cycle: Fall, Spring, and Summer (two admission options each semester, six entry points a year)
Admissions Contact: Crystal Perry, Assistant Director, Graduate Enrollment Management (cperry@mcdaniel.edu | 410-386-4833)
GPS Student Support Liaisons: gpsadvising@mcdaniel.edu | 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. The Master of Science in School Librarianship program has been awarded initial accreditation status by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the program must:
- Complete an application for graduate study
- Submit official transcripts conferring bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA* from an accredited institution
- Provide a current and valid teaching license such as Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary or related fields**; OR completion of a teacher preparation program and passing scores on Praxis II content test
- Submit 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
- Provide three completed reference forms with at least one from the applicant’s principal if a current teacher
*Please note: Students who have a 2.75-2.99 GPA may be admitted provisionally and will be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9-12 credit hours. Students with less than a 2.75 GPA may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis for provisional admission but may be required to provide additional documentation and/or participate in an interview. Admission may also come with additional conditions.
**Based on MSDE COMAR rules for Library Media Specialist licensure, 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.
International Students:
This program is delivered primarily online and as a result does not meet the federal regulations for international students to study in the US. If you are a US citizen living outside of the US, you should contact gps@mcdaniel.edu to discuss your eligibility for admission to this program.
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
Professional Licensure
Requirements for professional licensure in fields such as accounting, education, counseling, psychology, and social work vary from state to state. McDaniel’s academic programs are designed to meet Maryland’s licensure requirements and may not meet requirements from other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, McDaniel highly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. You may also contact McDaniel College’s Professional Licensure Representative at gps@mcdaniel.edu to inquire.
For more important information regarding professional licensure and the completion of McDaniel degrees, please review our Professional Licensure webpage.
Students who complete this program and are seeking certification in the state of Maryland must meet all Maryland-specific requirements in addition to completing this Maryland approved program. The requirements may include but are not limited to any of the following:
- Payment of application or processing fees
- Additional special education coursework
More information about Maryland State Department of Education requirements can be found at https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DEE/Certification/areas/Library-Media-Specialist.aspx
