Alternative Routes to Certification
School Library/Media Specialist
School Library/Media Specialist
The school library is often the nerve center of student learning, especially in schools committed to 21st century, student-centered, hands-on education. The school library/media specialist collaborates with all teachers as well as off-site resources in leading students through independent research, guided learning and literary appreciation at all levels.
Within two years, you can develop the skills to organize library collections, design instructional strategies that promote student achievement and foster a love of reading and independent learning.
Options
We offer three options: two for classroom teachers who are already certified and one for candidates who are not yet certified.
The Delaware Department of Education requires that persons seeking certification as a School Library Media Specialist complete an ALA/CAEP aligned program in that area. Candidates who are certified classroom teachers and already possess a master’s degrees will not be required to complete another master’s degree program, but may enroll in and complete the following approved School Library Media Course of Study at University of Delaware.
For candidates with master’s degrees to be eligible for ARTC’s recommendation to DOE for certification in School Library Media, candidates must complete the following:
- Provide proof of certification as a classroom teacher.
- Provide proof of completion of a master’s degree (official transcript).
- Complete a minimum of 10 of the 19 required credit hours in the School Library Media Course of Study at the University of Delaware. EDUC 746, Internship, must be completed at the University of Delaware. Candidates may take up to 9 credit hours at another institution, however these courses must be from an ALA/CAEP accredited program. No transfer credits older than three years will be accepted.
Required Courses (19 credits)
EDLM 621: Reference Services and Resources (3 credits)
Course Description: Explores and evaluates the role of information in our society and the range of reference resources supporting the school library media center. Includes the evaluation and use of print and electronic resources, reference procedures, and the instructional role of information resources in the school curriculum.
EDLM 622: Introduction to Cataloging and Classification (3 credits)
Course Description: Cataloging and classification form the foundations upon which information access and retrieval are based. This course will introduce the principles of cataloging and classification of library materials. Topics to be covered include standardized cataloging rules and their interpretations, standards for classification and subject headings, using technology for original and copy cataloging, and factors involved with curriculum needs and the school library catalog.
EDLM 625: School Library Media Program Administration (3 credits)
Course Description: This course is designed to give students knowledge of school library program administration including policy & procedures, collection development, finance, facilities, and personnel. Emphasis will be placed on the exploration of available resources and the creative use of these resources in problem solving within library media centers. The role of the library media specialist as collaborator, partner, teacher, and resource within the school community will be addressed.
EDLM 628: School Library Media Curriculum (3 credits)
Course Description: This course will explore the role of the school library media program in meeting information literacy and other education standards. Topics to be covered include information literacy, state education standards, advocacy, instructional technology and collaboration.
EDUC 602: Childhood Literature (3 credits)
Course Description: This course is designed to expose students to a wide range of literature for children. Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of literature appropriate for today’s youth in PreK to Upper Elementary/Middle School classrooms as delivered by School Library Media Specialists. An emphasis will be placed on the evaluation and selection criteria, correlation with curriculum standards, learning style differences, literature for required classroom reading, and literature for recreational reading.
EDUC 603: Adolescent Literature (3 credits)
Course Description: This course will introduce graduate students to the field of literature appropriate for today’s youth in middle and high schools as delivered by school library media specialists. An emphasis will be placed on evaluation and selection criteria. A wealth of titles in all genres will be examined for quality of writing, interest to adolescents, and relationship to curriculum standards. The role of resident YA literature expert within the library media specialist’s total responsibilities will also be examined fully.
EDUC 746: Internship in School Library Media (1 credit)
Course Description: Capstone experience for candidates pursuing the School Library Media Course of Study. Ten hours in each of three school library placements in an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Students will be expected to have all clearances through OCS (http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/). EDUC 746 is taken last and includes taking Praxis Subject Assessment for Library Media Specialist for SLM.
Registration information can be found by contacting the University of Delaware Professional and Continuing Studies.
The Delaware Department of Education requires that persons seeking certification as a School Library Media Specialist complete an ALA/CAEP aligned program in that area. Candidates who possess a master’s degree in library/information science will not be required to complete another master’s degree program, but may enroll in and complete the following approved courses at the University of Delaware.
For candidates with master’s degrees in library/information science to be eligible for ARTC’s recommendation to DOE for certification in School Library Media, candidates must complete the following:
- Provide proof of completion of a master’s degree in library/information science or other related area (official transcript).
- Complete a minimum of 18 of the 31 required credit hours listed below at the University of Delaware. EDUC 746, Internship, must be completed at the University of Delaware. Candidates may take up to 9 credit hours at another institution; however these courses must be from an ALA/CAEP accredited program. No transfer credits older than three years will be accepted.
Pedagogy Requirements (12 credits)
EDUC 658: Discipline and Classroom Management (3 credits)
EDUC 614: Teaching Exceptional Adolescents OR
EDUC 697: Education of Exceptional Children (3 credits)
EDUC 685: Multimedia Literacy OR
EDUC 621: Internet Technologies (3 credits)
School Library Media Concentration Requirements (19 credits)
EDLM 621: Reference Services and Resources (3 credits)
Course Description: Explores and evaluates the role of information in our society and the range of reference resources supporting the school library media center. Includes the evaluation and use of print and electronic resources, reference procedures, and the instructional role of information resources in the school curriculum.
EDLM 622: Introduction to Cataloging and Classification (3 credits)
Course Description: Cataloging and classification form the foundations upon which information access and retrieval are based. This course will introduce the principles of cataloging and classification of library materials. Topics to be covered include standardized cataloging rules and their interpretations, standards for classification and subject headings, using technology for original and copy cataloging, and factors involved with curriculum needs and the school library catalog.
EDLM 625: School Library Media Program Administration (3 credits)
Course Description: This course is designed to give students knowledge of school library program administration including policy & procedures, collection development, finance, facilities, and personnel. Emphasis will be placed on the exploration of available resources and the creative use of these resources in problem solving within library media centers. The role of the library media specialist as collaborator, partner, teacher, and resource within the school community will be addressed.
EDLM 628: School Library Media Curriculum (3 credits)
Course Description: This course will explore the role of the school library media program in meeting information literacy and other education standards. Topics to be covered include information literacy, state education standards, advocacy, instructional technology and collaboration.
EDUC 602: Childhood Literature (3 credits)
Course Description: This course is designed to expose students to a wide range of literature for children. Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of literature appropriate for today’s youth in PreK to Upper Elementary/Middle School classrooms as delivered by School Library Media Specialists. An emphasis will be placed on the evaluation and selection criteria, correlation with curriculum standards, learning style differences, literature for required classroom reading, and literature for recreational reading.
EDUC 603: Literature for Adolescents (3 credits)
Course Description: This course will introduce graduate students to the field of literature appropriate for today’s youth in middle and high schools as delivered by school library media specialists. An emphasis will be placed on evaluation and selection criteria. A wealth of titles in all genres will be examined for quality of writing, interest to adolescents, and relationship to curriculum standards. The role of resident YA literature expert within the library media specialist’s total responsibilities will also be examined fully.
EDUC 746: Internship in School Library Media (1 credit)
Course Description: Capstone experience for candidates pursuing the School Library Media Course of Study. Ten hours in each of three school library placements in an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Students will be expected to have all clearances through OCS (http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/). EDUC 746 is taken last and includes taking Praxis Subject Assessment for Library Media Specialist for SLM.
Earn an M.Ed. in Educational Technology AND enough credits to earn a K-12 certificate as a School Library Media Specialist.
See http://www.udel.edu/edtech/edtc/coursework.html for admission requirements.
Registration information can be found by contacting UD’s Professional and Continuing Studies.
For more information on the School Library Media program please contact:
Sue Gooden, MLS
goodens@udel.edu
Coordinator, School Library Media
UD’s Alternative Routes to Certification