Home – MLIS and Teacher Librarianship Student Handbook

MLIS and Teacher Librarianship Student Handbook

Introduction
Information Resources
Overview — Program and Process
Course of study
CBEST
California Teacher Librarian Services Credential Links
Scholarships

Introduction

SJSU SLIS accepts students into the MLIS degree program. As part of the MLIS program, students intending to work as K–12 school librarians may follow the recommended coursework required to apply for the teacher librarian services credential.

The teacher librarian services credential is the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) professional license that allows the candidate to work as a professional librarian in California K–12 public schools. The course of study is designed to prepare candidates based on the MLIS 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 SLIS CTC-approved course of study for the teacher librarian services credential is also approved by the National Commission for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). It can be completed in 37 units, including the field experience course. These 37 units are part of the MLIS degree program, and students are strongly encouraged to complete the additional 6 units required for the Master's in Library and Information Science degree in order to benefit from the flexibility of a degree accredited by the American Library Association and to expand their employability and career prospects in the field of library and information science.

The teacher librarian services credential is a second credential. To be granted the teacher librarian services credential a candidate must first hold a valid single or multiple subject clear credential issued by the CTC. Candidates may choose to complete the SLIS teacher librarianship course work and field experience prior to earning their first credential, but the application process for the teacher librarian services credential cannot be initiated until the first teaching credential is issued by the CTC.

Information Resources

For more information on the CTC credential and the application process, including emergency credentials, see the CTC link goes to non-SJSU web site web site.

For detailed information and communications on the content and process of the MLIS and Teacher Librarianship credential program at SLIS, see Dr. Geoffrey Liu's Teacher Librarianship course in ANGEL, the SLIS course management system. All students interested in either finding out more or in pursuing this specialization should self-enroll in the Teacher Librarianship ANGEL site as early as possible in their coursework. This ANGEL site is open to all students.

Required and recommended coursework and course numbers depend on the date when the student was admitted to SLIS. Requirements will remain consistent with the requirements posted at date of entry.

For a general description of employment options and qualifications, see the Teacher Librarian Specialization page.

Please see the Teacher Librarianship ANGEL site or contact Dr. Geoffrey Liu directly if you have specific questions.

Overview — Program and Process

I am interested in getting the MLIS and the teacher librarian services credential – How do I do this?

Apply for the MLIS degree program by following the steps in our Application Process. If admitted, begin in Fall or Spring (no summer admission).
Once you are admitted and have requested and received your ANGEL account, you must self-enroll in the Teacher Librarianship ANGEL site (required). This site has ALL the information you need and a way to contact other students and the Teacher Librarianship coordinator.
Follow the course recommendations as laid out on the Teacher Librarian Specializations Page and in the Teacher Librarianship ANGEL site.
Track your progress in the program using the appropriate checklist for your term of entry into SLIS — found on the Teacher Librarianship ANGEL site.
Once all required coursework is completed, compile your materials and submit them for your application to the CTC (see the Teacher Librarianship ANGEL site for forms and process).
To meet the requirements to graduate with the MLIS degree, file forms for candidacy and award of master's for MLIS graduation by the appropriate deadlines as detailed on the Graduation Application Process pages, and complete one more elective course and either LIBR 299 (Thesis) or LIBR 289 (e-Portfolio).

Course of study

The following course of study reflects the requirements for students entering the program for the Fall 2008 term and later. The course of study is 43 units and reflects current course numbering. Ongoing students who entered SLIS prior to Fall 2008 should follow the course of study checklist for the appropriate term they entered the program. For checklists, self–enroll in the Teacher Librarianship ANGEL site.

Required Coursework for the MLIS and the Teacher Librarian Services Credential

Core Courses:

Program, Curriculum and Technology:

Information Services and Materials Selection:

Elective Courses:

Select one elective course from the list below to complete the required 37 units of coursework for the Teacher Librarian Services Credential degree.

Capstone Course:

LIBR 295: School Library Fieldwork

Field experience is a key transition point for the teacher librarian services credential. It is the final class for the credential candidate before applying for the credential. All students must take this course including those currently working on emergency certificates. The course is organized as a seminar providing structure to the field experience. For more information see the course greensheet.

Required Coursework for the MLIS

To complete the required 43 units of coursework for the MLIS degree, students add two more courses to the 37 units of required coursework for the Teacher Librarian Services Credential — one more elective course and LIBR 289: Advanced Topics in Library and Information Science

CBEST

Am I required to take the CBEST?

When someone goes from one teaching credential to another teaching credential, such as from multiple subject to teacher librarian, then CBEST is NOT required. However, if one goes from a teaching to a service credential, such as multiple subject to administrative services, then CBEST would be required if it was not already met by the base credential.

California Teacher Librarian Services Credential Resources

The Teacher Librarian Services Credential is a second credential. To be granted the teacher librarian credential a candidate must hold a valid single or multiple subject clear credential Issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Candidates may choose to complete the SLIS teacher librarian coursework 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.

Please access the following resources for questions about various aspects of the credential.

Scholarships

See the SLIS Scholarship, Grant, and Award pages.

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