Library and Information Science: School Librarianship Concentration for Certified Teachers, Online MLIS
Take your teaching career a step further. Become a leader in school libraries through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the School of Information Studies’ online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) school librarianship concentration.
The school library pathway allows you to earn School Library Media Specialist Licensure while completing your MLIS degree as a certified teacher. You’ll become an expert in promoting digital and print literacies in K-12 schools.
Start Dates: Fall, Spring or Summer
Cost per Credit: $800 (Total Cost: $28,800*)
Credit Hours: 36
*Total cost will vary based on the number of credits transferred into UWM.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
Online
Why Study School Librarianship at UWM?
- Qualify for School Library Media Specialist Licensure (WI DPI License #1902) as part of your MLIS degree.
- Become eligible for licensure in other states based on completing the online MLIS school librarianship concentration.
- Earn your degree online at your own pace and on your own schedule.
- Use your teaching background and professional credentials to expand your role in an educational setting.
UWM’s Office of Student Financial Assistance can assist you with finding and applying for financial aid, graduate funding, or scholarships.
Explore the Panther Scholarship Portal regularly to find scholarship opportunities.
Our rolling admissions process allows you to start the MLIS with school librarianship concentration for certified teachers in the fall, spring or summer. Priority deadlines are March 1 for the fall and Nov. 1 for the spring. If you apply after July 1 for the fall term or after Dec. 1 for the spring term, please email Angie Sadowsky after you submit your application to facilitate the processing of your materials.
You must complete the following steps for admission consideration to the online school librarianship concentration for teachers:
Apply to the School of Information Studies at UWM
Create an account and submit your Graduate School application. On the application, choose “school librarianship” when asked to select an MLIS concentration. After you are admitted and receive a UWM student ID number, you can complete the remaining steps in the admissions process.
Note: If you wish to change or remove the school librarianship concentration from your program of studies at a later date, you may do so by submitting the MLIS Concentration Declaration of Intent Form.
Complete a Criminal Background Check
The completion of a specific criminal background check is required for entrance to all UWM K-12 licensure programs. The CBC must be completed via the below process within six months of an admissions decision; the cost is $50.00.
UWM uses Viewpoint Screening to process our admission CBCs. To proceed with the Viewpoint CBC, please follow the link to the UWM portal: https://www.viewpointscreening.com/uwm
- Directions for completing the background check can be found here
- Find your program under ‘School of Education’
- If you have questions about the process, use the customer service chat feature in the portal
Note: Failure to fully disclose criminal background information and/or submission of false information may constitute grounds for denial of admission or removal from the program. Background check results will not necessarily determine denial of admission to our program, but your criminal history may lead school districts to disqualify you from field placements. Email Susan Hersh with concerns about your background check results.
Submit the School Librarianship Confirmation Form
Once you have received your background check report, please complete the School Librarianship Confirmation Form. The confirmation form is your official declaration of intent to join our School Library Media Licensure Program, and allows us to build an individualized program plan based on your prior coursework and experience.
The school librarianship for teachers concentration is fully integrated into your MLIS degree, providing you with a clear path to both your MLIS and School Library Media Certification. To complete the program, you’ll need to take 36 graduate credits or 30 if you already hold a graduate degree. Should additional requirements be necessary to earn your licensure, they can be completed at the undergraduate level.
Note: In Wisconsin, additional licensure works with Tier II or higher licenses, not ABCTE, sublicenses or licenses with stipulations.
Courses
You’ll customize your school librarianship program plan with your advisor based on your prior coursework and professional experience. This allows you to complete your work online and at your own pace, typically with one to three classes per term. You’ll take 15 credits that count as electives toward your MLIS.
You can expect to spend about 10 hours per week on each three-credit course. Summer courses may require additional hours as they are offered over a shorter period of time.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INFOST 501G | Foundations of Library & Information Science | 3 |
| INFOST 511G | Organization of Information | 3 |
| INFOST 571G | Information Access & Retrieval | 3 |
| INFOST 799 | Research Methods in Information Studies | 3 |
Notes: Coursework must be done at the Graduate (G) level; a grade of B or better is required for each course; 799 is recommended in the final term as the culminating experience.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INFOST 520G | Managing Library Collections | 3 |
| INFOST 637G | Library Services for Young Children | 1 |
| INFOST 638G | Library Services for School-Aged Children | 1 |
| INFOST 639G | Library Services for Teens | 1 |
| INFOST 611G | Cataloging for Small Libraries | 1 |
| INFOST 640G | Information Literacy Instruction | 3 |
| INFOST 642G | School Library Media Programs & Resources | 3 |
| INFOST 645G | Library Materials for Children | 3 |
| INFOST 646G | Library Materials for Young Adults | 3 |
| INFOST 647G | Now covered in INFOST 637, INFOST 638, INFOST 639 | |
| INFOST 670G | Instructional Technologies | 3 |
Notes: Equivalent coursework and/or professional experience may allow you to waive a class for certification. Waived courses do not count as transfer credit toward the MLIS degree.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INFOST 644G | Clinical Experience in School Libraries | 2 |
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is a crucial component of the online MLIS school librarianship concentration. Depending on your current role in a school library setting, you’ll complete clinical experiences at different educational levels.
Explore your fieldwork requirements below:
| Required Course | Hired as a school librarian | Hired as a school library aide | Not working in a school library |
|---|---|---|---|
| INFOST 644G Clinical Experience in School Libraries | 2 credits/100 hours Hours split between: -50 hours in role -50 hours at other level | 2 credits/100 hours Hours split between: -50 hours at current level -50 hours at other level (No hours in current role can count towards fieldwork) | 3 credits/150 hours Hours split between: -50 hours at the K-5 level -50 hours at the 6-8 level -50 hours at the 9-12 level |
Supervised fieldwork is required of ALL candidates for the 1902 license. Students must complete their fieldwork under the mentorship of a school library media specialist who has a WI 1902 license (or equivalent) and three years of experience at the site, when possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although it may seem daunting, you’ll be able to create a schedule that fits your needs. Use the fieldwork chart above to see how many hours you can complete in your current position. You can finish hours outside of your role during August in-service days, professional development days, spring break and release time, or by starting early or staying late. Additionally, you may count 10 hours of professional development time at SLATE in the fall or WEMTA in the spring.
All fieldwork placements involve finding a mentor, setting goals, journaling and reflecting. Your mentor and the university supervisor will observe you during your placement and provide applicable feedback. At your placement, avoid just being told or shown different tasks — it is essential to participate in practical, hands-on learning. Your fieldwork placements are a great opportunity to get your questions answered, gain practical skills and discuss important issues.
Your site mentor will complete a grading form, an assessment rubric and an observation of your work. Your university supervisor will also observe your teaching and evaluate the documents you turn in to the class Canvas site, including self-assessment rubrics, journal reflections and more.
Each student follows an individualized program plan at their own pace. There is no cohort group.
Our students take anywhere from 1-3 classes each term. Plan to spend about 10 hours a week on each 3-credit class. Courses in the summer are condensed and require more hours per week.
See this link for sample course syllabi and visit this link for the current class schedule. Classes are listed under INFOST.
Courses are offered online, asynchronously through Canvas and most of them are offered several times a year (fall, spring and/or summer).
By completing UWM’s online school librarianship concentration for teachers, you’ll advance your role to school librarian or school library media specialist. Prepare to manage book collections that meet the needs of your students, collaborate with educators to develop resources, teach courses or lead sessions in the library, and oversee the library’s day-to-day operations. Graduates of the program find careers in public and private K-12 schools, education centers and school districts.
- shersh@uwm.edu
- 414-229-2474
- Northwest Quadrant D 3965
