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.

If you are interested in a Teacher Librarian credential from a state other than California, you should check with that state's Department of Education for their requirements before undertaking this program to make sure the SJSU SLIS courses are accepted by that state.

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