Library and Information Science: School Librarianship Concentration With Initial Licensure, Online MLIS
Are you passionate about becoming a school librarian but don’t hold a teaching license? The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) school librarianship concentration offers a pathway for you. Created for those who are not yet teachers, you can earn both your MLIS degree and initial licensure in school library media.
Learn how to successfully foster student literacy, new technology use, student programs and more to enhance student success.
Start Dates: Fall, Spring or Summer
Cost per Credit: $800 GR / $392 UG*
Credit Hours: 53
*Total cost will vary based on the number of credits transferred into UWM.M.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
Online
Why Study School Librarianship at UWM?
- Earn your initial licensure in School Library Media.
- Complete a transcript-designated concentration that complements your MLIS degree.
- Take 100% online courses with experienced faculty and practitioners who teach both in-person and online classes.
UWM offers a variety of financial aid options to help fund your school librarianship concentration. Learn more about payment plans, private loans, scholarship awards and more.
Scholarship opportunities may increase with academic standing. Explore the Panther Scholarship Portal regularly as you make progress on your certificate.
Our rolling admissions process allows you to start the school librarianship concentration 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.
For admission consideration to the MLIS school library concentration, you must complete the following steps:
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 online school librarianship concentration for those who are not yet certified teachers requires 15 credits of school library media coursework. These classes count as electives toward your total of 36 credits for the MLIS degree or a total of 30 credits if you have another graduate degree. You can complete any remaining requirements for the initial licensure certification at the undergraduate level.
As a non-certified teacher, you’ll work with your advisor to customize your coursework based on your previous education.
Courses
Take courses in library science, educational technologies and teaching methodologies and complete practical fieldwork. All classes are offered online and several times a year, allowing you to balance work with the program.
You can take one to three classes per term. Plan to spend around 10 hours a week per each three-credit course. Summer courses are condensed and may require more hours per week.
| 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, not considered to be transfer credits towards MLIS.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CURRINS 545 | Reading in the Content Areas: Middle, Junior & Senior HS | 3 |
| INFOST 630 | Strategies for Managing Group Learning & Assessment in Libraries | 3 |
| EDPSYCH 600 | Survey of Exceptional Education | 3 |
| EDPSYCH 640 | Human Development: Theory & Research | 3 |
| WORKSHOP | Seminar on ACT 31 – History, Culture & Sovereignty Rights of Wisconsin Indians | No Credit |
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INFOST 643G | Pre-student Teaching Experience in School Libraries | 2 |
| INFOST 543 | Student Teaching Experience in School Libraries | 6 |
Fieldwork
Supervised fieldwork is required for licensure in the online school librarian concentration. Fieldwork hours are split across grade levels, and the number of hours you must complete is based on your current role or experience. Ideally, fieldwork takes place in your final semester(s).
You must complete your fieldwork under the supervision of a licensed school library media specialist who has a WI #1902 license or the equivalent and three years of experience at the site.
| Required Course | Hired in a School Library Role | Not Hired in a School Library Role |
|---|---|---|
| INFOST 643G Student Teaching Practicum | 2 credits/100 hours Hours split between: -50 hours at the K-5 grade level -50 hours at the 6-12 grade level (Hours in your current role cannot count toward fieldwork.) | 3 credits/150 hours Hours split among: -50 hours at the K-5 level -50 hours at the 6-8 level -50 hours at the 9-12 level |
| INFOST 543 Full Semester of Student Teaching | 6 credits – full-time/full semester Completed for the full semester in the K-12 school where you are currently working (100% of hours are completed in your current role) | 6 credits – full time/full semester Time split between: -Half semester at the K-5 level -Half semester at the 6-12 level |
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).
Graduates of UWM’s MLIS school library concentration take on roles in school libraries or as school library media specialists in K-12 settings. With initial licensure from the program, you’ll be ready to support students’ growth across subjects. You’ll also work with fellow teachers, host library sessions, facilitate new programs and manage library operations, like the book collection.
- shersh@uwm.edu
- 414-229-2474
- Northwest Quadrant D 3965
