IUPUI 2014-2016 » Schools » School of Informatics and Computing » Departments » Library and Information Science » Graduate » Certificate Programs » Teacher of Library Media (K-12) Certification Teacher of Library Media (K-12) Certification

Certification as Teacher of Library/Media (P-12)

The program leading to certification as a school library/media specialist at Indiana University is approved by NCATE and the MLS program is ALA-accredited. The program meets the requirements for Teachers of Library Media from the Indiana Professional Standards Board.

Coursework for this certification area can be completed on the IU Bloomington or Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. The Indianapolis program is a fully-online program with the exception of student teaching or interning, which must be completed within the state of Indiana.

Students can call or email Kym Kramer, Director of  School Library Media Programs for the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses, with questions: 317.278.2093; toll free: 866.758.6254 866.758.6254; kakramer@indiana.edu.

Avenues for Certification

Recent changes to the teaching certification laws in Indiana have created alternative avenues for individuals to pursue P-12 Teacher of Library/Media Certification.

Indiana Certified Teachers with a Current Teaching License

The state of Indiana recognizes a passing score on the Praxis II Library Media Specialist test as acceptable proof to acquire the P-12 Teacher of Library/Media Certification.

It should be made clear however that the gap between the knowledge of a classroom teaching professional and a certified school library professional can be quite broad. Therefore, in alignment with the current national guidelines for school libraries1, School Library Media Director, Kym Kramer, strongly suggests the following minimum courses be taken prior to attempting to pass Praxis II in order to best envision and lead your school’s library program into the future:

1 Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs. American Association of School Librarians, 2009.

Indiana Students without Current Teaching Credentials

Students must meet MLS degree admissions criteria in order to complete coursework leading to school media certification. The professional position of school library media specialist in Indiana requires a valid Indiana teaching license so the course work will include both library courses (27 hours) as well as education coursework (15 hours PLUS student teaching that must be completed within the state of Indiana).

Students from Outside Indiana with Current Teaching Credentials

Each state Department of Education has individualized requirements for advanced certifications. Out-of-state students interested in the K-12 Teacher of Library Media Certification will be advised on a case-by-case basis. They must work initially with School Library Media Education Director, Kym Kramer, to discuss pursuing their K-12 Teacher of Library Media Certification in their state. It is possible other states will not accept the “test-only” proof of certification and will require some amount of course work. At a minimum, the following courses would be suggested:

Students from Outside Indiana without Current Teaching Credentials

Indiana library/media/technology certification will transfer to any state in the U.S. The student seeking certification in a state other than Indiana should contact the certification office in that state to be certain of meeting any additional teacher training requirements.

Next, out-of-state students interested will be advised on a case-by-case basis. They must work initially with School Library Media Education Director, Kym Kramer, to discuss pursuing their K-12 Teacher of Library Media Certification in their state.

Out-of-state students should call or email Kym Kramer, Director of School Library Media Programs for the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses, with questions: 317.278.2093 317.278.2093; tollfree: 866.758.6254 866.758.6254; kakramer@indiana.edu.

Course Work for P-12 Teacher of Library/Media Certification

Initially, the student must meet the graduate admission requirements for the MLS program at either Indianapolis or Bloomington prior to completing six hours of library science courses.

Successful completion of 27 credits for library media may also count toward the 36 credit hour Master of Library Science (MLS), accredited by the American Library Association. Three additional courses (9 credits) will be required in addition to the courses listed below to round out the MLS.  Students who already have an MLS can only be admitted as LIS Non-Degree Graduate students.

Required Courses (18 cr.)

Application of Technology to Instruction courses: 9 credits

Courses will be selected from the list below based on advisor’s recommendations

To complete the MLS, students will also complete (9 cr.)

OR

Establishing Valid Teaching Credentials: (27 credits + 15 credits)

Individuals who do not hold a valid teaching license may establish such as Teacher of Library Media by completing the above 27 credits as well as 15 credits selected from the menu of education courses below.

Additionally, a school media student teaching placement must be successfully completed within the state of Indiana. All education credits and all LIS credits are to be completed prior to starting the student teaching experience. The student must submit passing scores for the Praxis I (or an acceptable substitute) as part of their application to the student teaching program. Placement for student teaching is coordinated through Kym Kramer, Director of School Library Media, in coordination with the IU School of Education in Bloomington approximately nine to twelve months prior to the anticipated student teaching semester.

Exact education courses are in a state of change.  Contact Kym Kramer kakramer@iupui.edu for the latest information. 

Educational Psychology (3 cr.)

Choose one of the following courses.

  • P444 Applied Cognition and Learning Strategies
  • P510 Psychology in Teaching
  • P514 Life Span Development
  • P515 Child Development
  • P516 Adolescent Development
  • P525 Psychological Issues in Education
  • P530 Instructional Psychology
  • P540 Learning and Cognition in Education
  • P545 Educational Motivation
  • P575 Developing Human Potential

Philosophy of Education (3 cr.)

Choose one of the following courses.

  • H340 Education and American Culture
  • H510 Foundations of Educational Inquiry
  • H520 Education and Social Issues
  • H530 Philosophy of Education
  • H538 Critical Thinking and Education
  • H540 Sociology of Education
  • H560 Education and Change in Societies

Curriculum and Technology (6 cr.)

Choose two of the following courses.

  • W310 Computer-Based Teaching Methods
  • E535 Elementary School Curriculum
  • J500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum
  • J630 Curriculum Development and Theory
  • K505 Intro to Special Education for Graduate Students
  • K510 Assistive Technology in Special Education
  • R503 Application of Instructional Media and Technology
  • R505 Workshop in Instructional Systems Technology
  • R547 Computer-Mediated Learning
  • S503 Secondary School Curriculum
  • W531 Computers in Education
  • W540 Computers in the Curriculum

Reading and Literacy (3 cr.)

Choose one course from the following (L numbered courses are from Education, not LIS).

  • L500 Instructional Issues in Language Learning
  • L501 Critical Reading K-12
  • L504 Learner Literacy Difficulties
  • L511 Advanced Study in Teaching of Writing in Elementary Schools
  • L512 Advanced Study in Teaching of Writing in Secondary Schools
  • L517 Advanced Study of Teaching in Reading
  • L524 Language Education Issues in Bilingual and Multicultural Education
  • L545 Advanced Study of Teaching Elementary Reading
  • L559 Trade Books in the Elementary Classroom
  • L567 Media in the Teaching of English
  • L645 Organization and Administration of a School Reading Program

Last updated: 02/10/2014


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