Library and Information Science: School Library Teacher Licensure

Simmons offers two post-Master's degree programs for School Library Teacher Licensure.

We offer two options for post-Master's degree programs for School Library Teacher Licensure:

  • A program for people who hold a Master's degree in Library Science and who are now seeking licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School Library Teacher.
  • A program for teachers who currently hold a Master's Degree in education and an initial or professional* Massachusetts License as a teacher, a Master of Arts degree in teaching, or a Master's degree in a related field along with an initial or professional Massachusetts Teacher License. At the time of application for the School Library Teacher License you must have a minimum of three years of teaching experience in a Massachusetts public school.

All students admitted to the post-master's program receive a 50% discount off current Simmons tuition.

*Before starting the program, we advise students who hold a professional level license to have a review conducted by the DESE of the standards the DESE expects them to fulfill to be able to add this license. Their coursework will be based on the results of this review. Those with a professional level license must take their completed coursework to the DESE on their own; they will not be endorsed by Simmons.

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Simmons University is one of U.S. News and World Report’s top ranking schools of library and information science in the nation.

 

The following curriculum is for people who hold a Master's degree in Library and Information Science and who are now seeking licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School Library Teacher.

The courses listed below are required as a part of the licensure. (If the student has taken them in his/her Master's in Library Science degree program and received a grade of B or higher, the applicant will not be required to take them over again.) The courses the student needs to take will be determined by the Director of the School Library Teacher Program through an analysis of the student's transcript(s). Please see the Admission process for details about when this analysis will occur.


Required for Licensure

LIS406 Management and Evaluation of School Library Programs 3
LIS407 Information Sources & Services 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS459 Fundamentals of School Librarianship 3
LIS460 Technology and the School Library Teacher 3
LIS461 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for the School Library Teacher 3
LIS481 Library Collections and Materials for Children 3
LIS483 Library Collections and Materials for Young Adults 3
LIS498 Practicum (PreK-8) 3
LIS499 Practicum (7-12) 3

Students must complete their field-based pre-practicum experiences (fieldwork) before they can begin their practicum experience. Students are introduced to fieldwork in an introductory course (LIS 406), in which they will observe in public school libraries to achieve some fieldwork credit. Additionally, three other courses (LIS 459, LIS 481, and LIS 483) required for SLTP students incorporate assignments and experiences involving fieldwork.

There are specific assignments for each field-based experience. These projects are outlined in the School Library Teacher Handbook, which the student will receive at the beginning of their program. If you have questions about an assignment, please consult with your course instructor for answers and further direction. Fieldwork projects must be completed in a public school library in Massachusetts. At the discretion of the program director, other courses or experiences can be substituted for part of this requirement.

A candidate may substitute LIS 495: Practicum Equivalent Experience (pre K - 12) for one of the practica if the candidate has been hired as the professional school library teacher of record. Arrangements for LIS 495 are made with the program director.

 

 

The following curriculum is for teachers who currently hold a Master's Degree in education and an initial or professional Massachusetts License as a teacher, a Master of Arts degree in teaching, or a Master's degree in a related field along with an initial or professional Massachusetts Teacher Licensure. At the time of application for the School Library Teacher License you must have a minimum of three years of teaching experience in a Massachusetts public school.

Those with a Master's in Education who hold an initial license will be endorsed by Simmons to receive the license as a school library teacher after completion of the necessary coursework. Those with a professional level license must take their completed coursework to the DESE on their own; they will not be endorsed by Simmons.


Course List

In addition to the requirements above, the courses listed below will prepare students to become licensed as school library teachers in Massachusetts.
LIS406 Management and Evaluation of School Library Programs 3
LIS407 Information Sources & Services 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS460 Technology and the School Library Teacher 3
LIS461 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for the School Library Teacher 3
LIS481 Library Collections and Materials for Children 3
LIS483 Library Collections and Materials for Young Adults 3

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)

If the student's prior teaching license did not require him/her to take and pass the Communication and Literacy Skills Test of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), he/she will be required to do that prior to applying for the school library teacher license.


School library teachers work with students and teachers to provide access to global information resources, technology instruction for research and project-based learning, and to ignite students' interest in reading. The school library teacher instructs students on how to access, evaluate, and use information. They teach 21st century skills which encompass inquiry-based learning in which students develop skills, dispositions, responsibilities for learning, and self-assessments.

As reported in the 2012 Library Journal's Placement and Salaries Survey, schools today are placing an increased emphasis on instruction and information literacy using the latest technological tools ranging from mobile devices to virtual knowledge centers. Today's teachers need to know how to use a variety of e-learning digital management systems. School library teachers well-suited to lead the way to participate in curriculum development, technology integration, and literacy initiatives in the K—12 and higher education learning environment.

The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) endorses our program and external accrediting agencies commend us on the program's outstanding quality.

In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education cooperate with every state and the District of Columbia through the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement which facilitates the movement of educators among the states. This Agreement makes reciprocal licensure/certification possible among states. Specific reciprocal requirements vary from state to state. (Individual state departments of education must be contacted to learn specific state requirements.) As a Master's Degree program endorsed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, graduates of the School Library Teacher Program can participate in the benefits of this Agreement. If you are from outside Massachusetts, however, please check with your state's department of education.

  • Elementary school librarian: Develop a love of reading and appreciation for books in children as they begin their education.
  • School library teacher: Instructing students in best practices for finding and using library resources, such as reference books, encyclopedias, and the Internet.
  • Secondary school librarian: Providing services for middle and high school aged students including class support, computer instruction, as well as college and scholarship opportunities.
  • Curriculum development and literacy specialist: Identify resources to support the school's efforts to meet standards in all subject areas.

This program is designed to be completed in 86 weeks. 

This program will cost $16,800 if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting, but may have changed. 

Program meets licensure requirements in the following States:

  • Massachusetts 

Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with $ N/A of debt. *

*Fewer than 10 students completed this program within normal time. This number has been withheld to preserve the confidentiality of the students 

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here.