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California Teacher Librarian Credential

General Information

The teacher librarian credential is the professional license allowing the candidate to work as a professional in California K–12 public schools. The course of study is designed to prepare candidates based on the SLIS competencies and the Standards of Program Quality and Effectiveness and Factors to Consider in the Evaluation of Library Media Teacher Programs (Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 1991).

The course of study for the teacher librarian credential can be completed in 36 credits (including field experience) but candidates are encouraged to complete the Masters in Library and Information Science degree to benefit from the flexibility of a degree accredited by the American Library Association.

The Teacher Librarian Services Credential is a second credential, to be granted the teacher librarian credential; a candidate must hold a valid single subject clear credential Issued by the CTC. Candidates may choose to complete the MLIS in Teacher Librarianship course work and field experience prior to earning their first credential, but the application process for the credential cannot be initiated until the first credential is issued by the CTC.

School districts may seek an emergency credential for the teacher librarian position in a school provided the holder of the emergency credential enrolls in a program to prepare them for the Teacher Librarian credential. The SJSU MLIS in Teacher Librarianship degree qualifies as such a program. A total of 43 credits is required to earn the MLIS degree, 36 of which are the CTC approved program of study.

During the candidates course work on the MLIS in Teacher Librarianship, there will be questions about various aspects of the credential. The following resources are provided to aid them in finding the answers to their questions.

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

The CTC website is a rich resource for candidates with information and includes the ability to search for credential holders and the status of pending credential applications.

www.ctc.ca.gov/

For CTC information specific to the Teacher Librarian credential use this link.

www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/library-media.html

San Jose State University Credential Services office

For information about the credential application process through San Jose State University, follow this link to the SJSU Credential Services office.

www.sjsu.edu/education/credential/index.html

Emergency Credentials

The Credential Services office of San Jose State University handles all issues related to the renewal of emergency credentials. The renew process is explained on their site.

www.sjsu.edu/education/credential/emergency.html

Transferring Out of State Credentials into California

Individuals who have earned a Teacher Librarian credential in another state and are living or planning to work in California as a Teacher Librarian need to consult these resources. The first step is to determine if the first credential will transfer before attempting to transfer the Teacher Librarian credential.

www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl562.pdf

Transferring your California Credential outside of California

The Credential Services office of San Jose State University handles all issues related to the transfer of your course work and credential outside of California.

www.sjsu.edu/education/credential/outstate.html

Required course work for the Teacher Librarian Credential

All students seeking the credential must be admitted to the School’s Program and must meet the standards set by SLIS for admittance. The following list identifies 36 credits of course work needed to qualify for the Teacher Librarian credential. There are eleven required courses and one elective. All are three credit courses.

Foundations:

Program, Curriculum and Technology:

Information Services and Materials Selection:

Capstone Courses:

Elective Courses:

Students may take two elective courses from the list below to complete the MLIS.

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