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Program Description

The program of study for School Library Information Specialist is a graduate program offered 100% online, and the courses must be part of enrollment towards a Master's degree if a student has not already completed an M.S. or M.A. degree.

The School Library Information Specialist program requires*

• 1 computer course
• 5 courses related to school libraries including PreK-12 literature
• an internship/practicum in a school library that may be done on the job if already licensed in another area

*These courses are required for licensure; to complete the MS degree there are 3 additional courses. If a student is not certified as a teacher, an additional 2 courses in education are required, as well as passing the Praxis test. If a student already has a Master's degree then only the courses for school library certification are required.

Any undergraduate degree is acceptable for admission into the program. The program is designed for those people who want to become school library media specialists. It may or may not be acceptable for public library, or other library positions.

Program Enrollment Information

You can enroll as a student and register to take any of the classes at any time, however to be officially enrolled in the degree program, there are two dates during the school year that you can be officially enrolled (one is April 1st for Fall enrollment, the other is October 1st for Spring). You can earn up to 12 hours (four 3-hour courses) as non-degree status that can be transferred into your degree program once officially enrolled. It is recommended that you take at least two courses per semester and you could be finished with all required core Library courses, including the Practicum (which is recommended for the final semester) in a year-and-a-half. Two of the library courses are offered per semester.

There are specific requirements for notifying the Office of Clinical Practice of intent to complete the Practicum, available as a downloadable document. Also, as of Summer 2009, the prospective Library Practicum participant must successfully pass the 0310 Praxis exam prior to the Practicum field experience.

There is no minimum course load; however it is recommended that students take two courses per semester. The entire course rotation can be downloaded here.

When you register for these classes, be sure to enroll in the M50-designated online course sections. You may need to inform the Registrar that it is part of the Online Master's of Science Program of Study with Library Information Specialist endorsement as fees are affected, including out-of-state tuition. Also, all M50 courses require a special permit to insure that program enrollees are provided with appropriate course enrollment opportunity.

Steps in the Admission Process

• Apply to the Graduate School for a Master's Degree
• The general admission requirements are the same as other Graduate School Master's programs
• See the MS requirements in our section of the Graduate Catalog
• See the ICL Graduate Advisor for questions about admissions to the Graduate School and the program in ICL. You will be seeking admission into the Master of Science (MS) degree in Instruction and Curriculum with an endorsement in School Library Information Specialist.
• Apply to the College of Education's Instruction and Curriculum Leadership Department
• The ICL Graduate Coordinator can answer ICL Master's program and credit transfer questions

Dr. Sally Blake
Office: Ball Hall Room 409B
Email: ssblake@memphis.edu

To receive the Out-of-State Tuition Waiver, students should complete the Out-of-State Tuition Waiver Scholarship(https://academics-s.memphis.edu/scholapp/ ) every semester when registering, and should do so a minimum of 10 days prior to the fee payment deadline for the semester to guarantee processing by the fee payment deadline. Typically the application will be opened around the time that registration begins for the upcoming semester and will be closed one week prior to the fee payment deadline.

Generally speaking, the University will adhere to the following schedule (dates may change slightly according to actual semester start dates):