School Library Media Specialist
Master of Library and Information Science Degree with School Library Information Specialist Certification
Download the School Library Media Program Brochure to learn how school library media specialists make a difference in students' lives.
Download the School Library Media Program Student Progress Packet which is designed to guide students throught the program.
Download a School Library Media Program application.
For more information, email us at slmp@dom.edu.
The Dominican University Master of Library and Information Science Degree with School Library Information Specialist Certification is designed to educate school library media specialists at the elementary, middle and secondary school levels. Completion of the approved entitlement program qualifies students to apply for an Illinois Special (K-12) Certificate (Type 10) in the concentration area of Library Information Specialist.
The School Library Media Program is grounded in Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning, the national guidelines of the American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology; Illinois standards for the Library Information Specialist; and the School of Education’s conceptual framework emphasizing scholarship, leadership, and service.
Through attendance in this program, students learn the principles of librarianship in general and service to children and youth in particular. Developmental psychology of the child, pre-adolescent, and adolescent is woven into the literature courses. The philosophy of education for the elementary, middle and secondary school levels is an integral part of the curriculum. Information literacy, educator collaboration, integration of the library media program into the school curriculum, instructional technology, literature-based curriculum, program administration, communication, and professional development are some of the topics included in the curriculum. Students graduate from this program with a firm understanding of the roles of the school library media specialist and the library media program within the school context and the extended school learning community. Graduates become educational leaders in their schools, districts, and library systems.
The School Library Media Program fulfills all the Illinois State Board of Education requirements for a Special (K-12) Certificate (Type 10) in the concentration area of Library Information Specialist. A candidate may instead choose to split the certificate and obtain an Initial Elementary Certificate (Type 03) and an Initial Secondary Certificate (Type 09), each endorsed in the K-12 concentration area of Library Information Specialist.
For the most current information on Illinois State certification requirements we encourage students to visit www.isbe.net/teachers.
Degree Requirements
To fulfill the requirements for the MLIS degree with the Illinois Special (K-12) Certificate
(Type 10) in the concentration area of Library Information Specialist students must:
- Fulfill all the requirements for the MLIS degree.
- Apply for admittance to the School Library Media Program (including admissions application, essay, and successful completion of the Illinois Basic Skills exam). Students who were educated outside of the United States need to have official credential evaluations completed by an approved agency at their own expense.
- Complete the nine required courses plus nine elective semester hours (total of 36 semester hours).
- Successfully complete the required Illinois certification tests.
- Develop a program portfolio.
- Complete the clinical practice component of the program including an interview with the coordinator and professional autobiography, observation hours, and internship or student teaching in school libraries.
- Meet the professional education requirements of the State of Illinois.
- Attend periodically scheduled Information Sessions and participate in an Exit Interview with the program director.
The following nine courses cover the competencies required in the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards for the Library Information Specialist. The core concepts of information access and delivery, teaching and learning, communication, and program administration are addressed within the context of the required courses. Special focus is placed on the philosophies of elementary, middle, and secondary schools, along with the developmental psychology of K-12 students. Collaboration with all members of the school learning community and a commitment to scholarship, leadership and service are emphasized.
Required courses, listed in the recommended sequence of completion:
LIS 701 Introduction to Library and Information Science
LIS 703 Organization of Knowledge
LIS 704 Reference and Online services
LIS 773 School Libraries (Visitation hours required)
LIS 721 Library Materials for Children
LIS 722 Library Materials for Young Adults
LIS 724 Media Services and Production (Visitation hours required)
LIS 716 Communication for Leadership
LIS 725 Curriculum and School Libraries (Visitation hours required)
Electives: 9 semester hours
Total: 36 semester hours
Additionally, one of the following clinical experiences is required to complete the clinical practice component of the program:
LIS 728 Clinical Experience I – Student Teaching
LIS 729 Clinical Experience II – Internship
Clinical experience enables school library media program students to apply the knowledge gained from course work in a variety of school library settings.
The Coordinator of Clinical Practice works closely with each student to secure a placement in a school library media program that will afford a rewarding learning experience. Many of our placements are in schools staffed by Dominican University alumni.
Students with valid Illinois (or reciprocal) teaching certificates
Students are encouraged to visit a variety of school library settings: 40 pre-clinical
observation hours in school library media centers are required school library media specialists and
school library aides may apply a maximum of 25 hours from their current work experience. Students
are placed in an elementary/middle school and a middle/secondary school setting for 160 hours (2
2-week supervised clinical experiences) in LIS 729 Clinical Experience II –Internship.
Attendance and participation in two seminars are requirements of LIS 729.
Students without valid Illinois (or reciprocal) teaching certificates
Students are encouraged to visit a variety of school library settings: 100 pre-clinical
observation hours in school library media centers are required; school library media
specialists and school library aides may apply a maximum of 25 hours from their current work
experience. Students are placed in an elementary/middle school and a middle/secondary school
setting for 400 hours (2 5-week non-paid supervised clinical experiences) in LIS 728 Clinical
Experience I–Student Teaching. Attendance and participation in two seminars are requirements of LIS
728.
The State of Illinois’ general education requirements are satisfied by successfully completing a baccalaureate degree prior to entering the School Library Media Program.
Professional education requirements include either a valid teaching certificate OR a college-level course in each of the following areas:
- Educational Psychology (2 semester hours)
- History and Philosophy of Education (2 semester hours)
- Exceptional Children (including learning disabilities) (3 semester hours)
Each person in the State of Illinois who is seeking certification must pass three examinations at prescribed times during the education program:
- Prior to admittance into the School Library Media Program:
Basic Skills Test (Code 096) - Prior to Internship or Student Teaching:
Content-Area Test for Library Information Specialist (Code 175) - Prior to applying for certification:
Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT): Grades K-12 (Code 104)
Visit www.icts.nesinc.com for more information regarding these exams including test dates and online registration.
Alternative Paths within the School Library Media ProgramAt present students with valid Illinois teaching certificates may earn a Library Information Specialist endorsement. Interested students should contact their Regional Office of Education for specific requirements based on their certificate status.
Students with ALA-accredited MLIS degrees may enroll in this program to earn the appropriate certification for school library media specialists in Illinois. A minimum of two Dominican University GSLIS courses must be completed prior to participation in the clinical experience. Graduate transcripts and professional work experience will be reviewed with the students to assess the courses required to complete certification requirements. Courses taken previously will be evaluated based on when the course was taken. GSLIS courses that focus primarily on technology or literature and the three required education courses need to have been taken within the previous five years to be applied to the School Library Media Program requirements. Post-MLIS applicants applying to the School Library Media Program may qualify for a waiver of some GSLIS admission requirements. Refer to the Application and Admission section for post-MLIS admission procedures.
Specialized library professionals, such as Youth Services or Children’s Librarians, interested in pursuing a school liaison role may earn a Dominican University Certificate of Special Study in School Libraries by successfully completing five relevant courses. The designation of these courses will be determined collaboratively by the student and the program director. The student has five years within which to complete the five designated courses.
"Our graduate program gives students the skills to build both a solid foundation on the core values of librarianship and a thorough knowledge of emerging technologies, trends and innovation in the field."
Michael Stephens
Assistant Professor
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A pdf version of the GSLIS application form is available to download, complete and return.
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