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Library and Information Science: School Library Teacher Licensure

Library and Information Science: School Library Teacher Licensure

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Post-master's certificates for aspiring school library teachers

Simmons University’s School Library Teacher Licensure program prepares MLIS holders and public educators for careers as school library teachers in Massachusetts.

As a school library teacher, you play a unique and influential role in a school community. You work with students from all grades — from elementary to high school — as an instructional leader who champions digital literacy, research and technology skills, and a lifelong love of reading.

Our School Library Teacher Licensure program is endorsed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. It is among Simmons’ suite of top-ranked programs in library science.

Two pathways: MSLIS holders and licensed educators

Simmons offers two clear paths for post-master's programs leading to school library teaching license:

Pathway 1: For those who already have a master's degree in Library and Information Science and want to become licensed as a School Library Teacher by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Pathway 2: For teachers with a master's degree in education (or a related field), an initial or professional Massachusetts Teacher License, and at least three years of teaching experience in a Massachusetts public school by the time they apply for the School Library Teacher License.

Each track has different coursework or fieldwork requirements. See program details below for your path.

*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 submit their completed coursework to the DESE on their own; they will not be endorsed by Simmons.

What can you do with a School Library Teacher License in Massachusetts?

A School Library Teacher License opens up opportunities for various career paths working with children from kindergarten through high school in Massachusetts schools. Here is a glimpse of typical titles and job descriptions:

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 finding and using library resources, including reference books and the Internet.
Secondary school librarian: Providing services to middle and high school-aged students, including class support, computer instruction, and help with college scholarship opportunities.
Curriculum development and literacy specialist: Identify resources to support the school's efforts to meet standards in all subject areas.

For Library Science Master's Degree Holders

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 their 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 Service, Behaviors & Ethics	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 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.

For Education Degree Holders

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 Service, Behaviors & Ethics	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

NASDTEC Certification

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 cooperates 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.

Discount for Simmons Alumnae/i

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

Library and Information Science: School Library Teacher Licensure Application Deadlines

	Fall (September)	Spring (January)	Summer (May)
Library and Information Science: School Library Teacher Licensure	Priority: Rolling Regular: August 1 Rolling admission: After August 1	Priority: Rolling Regular: December 15 Rolling admission: After December 15	Priority: Rolling Regular: May 1 Rolling admission: After May 1