In each state in the U.S., certification for school librarianship is governed by the state's Department of Education. We have published a FAQ webpage about school library certification in New Jersey which you should read if you are considering a career in K-12 school libraries. Note that there are two components to the certification at both levels: the library studies classes, and the education classes.

The best preparation you can have to become a school library media specialist is to complete a master's program in library and information science. Rutgers offers an MLIS program with a specialization in school library media both on campus in New Brunswick and online. For details, check the MLIS website.

Professional Development Studies offers graduate level, online school library media classes which are appropriate for:

People who are pursuing Associate School Library Media Specialist certification in the state of New Jersey. Our state-approved program includes 21 credits of coursework in library and information science. In order to qualify for state certification as an Associate School Library Media Specialist you must complete these 21 credits and either be a certified teacher or complete some education credits.

Degreed librarians who wish to make a career change to school libraries. If you possess an MLIS degree and focused on an area other than school library media studies during your program of study you will need to complete additional coursework to meet the state requirements for School Library Media Specialist. We can review your academic program and help determine which courses you need to take. You can email to mandrich@rutgers.edu or fax your documentation to 732-932-9314; please include a cover letter explaining your situation, a copy of your MLIS transcript, and a copy of the course descriptions from your MLIS program. (If you got your MLS/MLIS at Rutgers you do not need to send us course descriptions.)

Certified school library media specialists and associate school library media specialists who would like to update their skills and knowledge.

People enrolled in a school library media program at another educational institution who need to complete a course due to scheduling issues. Note that you must receive permission from your adviser in your educational program to be able to transfer credits from Rutgers to your program.

Non-librarians who are contemplating a career in school librarianship and would like to learn more about the field before entering a program.

To qualify for Associate School Library Media Specialist certification in the state of New Jersey you must
(1) complete the seven required school library courses listed below, and
(2) if you are not a certified teacher or have never completed an approved teacher prep program in New Jersey, you must also complete the three education classes listed below.
If you begin in the Associate SLMS Program but are considering the master's program, note that you must apply and be admitted separately to the MLIS program. Whether or not your credits will transfer depends on a number of factors, but in no cases will more than 6 credits from the Associate SLMS program be accepted for the master's. In other words, you should not take more than one or two Professional Development Studies courses before you apply to the MLIS program.

If you already have an MLIS and are seeking to qualify for School Library Media Specialist certification:
(1) You must have your credentials reviewed to determine which library science courses you are required to take. If you have a Rutgers MLIS we can tell you exactly which courses to take, simply mail or fax in a copy of your transcript and request the information. If you have an MLIS from another university, we can give you a general reading of your transcript, but at this time only the NJ Department of Education can give you an official review. In our experience, if you prepared for a career as a children's librarian you may need three to five additional library studies courses, and if you prepared for a career as a academic or corporate librarian you may need as many as seven or eight additional library studies courses.
(2) If you are not a certified teacher or have never completed an approved teacher prep program in New Jersey, you must also complete the three education classes listed below.

Professional Development Studies
School Library Courses

The first seven courses are required for the Associate School Library Media Certification. If you are a post-MLIS student your background must be reviewed to determine which of these courses are required.

Coordination of School Library Media Programs and Services
(formerly Core Competencies for School Library/Media Programs and Services)
17:611:510 (3 credits)
An introduction to the functions and services of the K-12 school library media center and the various roles of the library media specialist.  Topics to be addressed in this course include: the library media center as a physical place; the role of the library media specialist in the teaching-learning process; strategies for cooperative program planning and teaching; and policies at the school, district, state and national levels. Prerequisites: experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
Generally offered in summer and fall.

Integrating Your Library Media Program and Your School Curriculum
17:611:511 (3 credits)
In this course we will examine how to design a library media program so that it is integrated with a school's curriculum. We will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of instructional program design, including learning theories, information literacy, curriculum standards, and current trends in educational media programs. We will examine the integration of information literacy across the curriculum applying strategies for collaborative planning, team teaching, and implementing inquiry-based learning programs. Prerequisites: experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
Generally offered summer and fall.

An Educator's Survey of Children's Literature
17:611:547 (3 credits)
Whether you took a children's literature course years ago or are a self-taught professional, our survey of children's literature will energize your work with students aged three to twelve . This class will examine print and nonprint materials, including some of the old classics and some of the newer acclaimed books. We will look at research related to children and reading and discuss publishing trends and issues such as intellectual freedom. During the semester you will enhance your ability to select and use books in your classroom or school media center lessons. Prerequisites: experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
Generally offered fall and spring.

An Educator's Survey of Young Adult Literature
17:611:549 (3 credits)
This survey course of young adult literature (books for teenagers) is designed especially for teachers, school media specialists, and other educators. The focus is on contemporary books aimed at readers ages 12-18. The course provides the opportunity to explore this rich literature and to create lesson plans, booktalks, webquests, and other material useful in the school library or classroom. The emphasis is on reading widely and on intense engagement with the texts. Students will read thirty to forty titles in the course of the semester. Prerequisites : experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
Generally offered fall and spring.

Information Sources and Services for Youth
17:611:531 (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to standard print and electronic reference resources, placing emphasis on access to information through reference tools and the uses of information by students in K-12 schools and libraries. Course content focuses on how school library media specialists can develop information-literate students by teaching information processing skills and by building an excellent reference collection in their school media centers. Prerequisites: experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course. Although this course is conducted online, frequent visits to a well-stocked school and/or public library will be necessary in order both to complete assignments and to become acquainted with the reference materials discussed.
Generally offered fall and spring.

Developing User-Centered Educational Media
17:611:513 (3 credits)
In this course you will explore user-centered approaches to the production of a variety of print and multimedia resources for school library media centers. We will examine a range of uses of educational media and develop criteria for evaluating the effectiveness, quality, and credibility of resources. Students will have hands-on experience in planning and developing the following resources: bibliographies from print, database, and non-print resources, evaluation criteria of media, WebQuests, Power Point and other electronic presentations, and websites. Prerequisites: experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
Generally offered spring and summer.

Field Experience
17:611:592 (3 credits)
Field experience involves supervised professional work in a library or other information organization. It is required for all individuals seeking certification for school library job titles, whether or not you are emergency or provisionally certified. Students will work under the supervision of a certified professional and in conjunction with a faculty adviser. Coursework includes a minimum of 150 hours of work in a semester, keeping a journal of the experience as well as issues to be explored, attendance at meetings with the faculty adviser, and a brief summary paper. Placement at a work site is based on the student's background and career objectives and must be done through the Professional Development Studies office. Please note that Field Experience is not the same thing as your first year of work in a school library under provisional certification. Check our FAQ for further explanation.
- Arrangements for a field experience must be made at least one semester in advance. Students should have completed a minimum of 12 credits in the program, including 611:510 Coordination of School Library Media Programs and Services (or its equivalent) before registering for Field Experience. Students who are emergency or provisionally certified should specify this when requesting field experience so the experience can be designed appropriately. Field experience cannot be taken during the summer.
-Click here for information about Field Experience if you are NOT emergency or provisionally certified.
-Click here for information about Field Experience if you are emergency or provisionally certified.

The following course is not required for Associate School Library Media Specialist certification, although we highly recommend you take it at some point early in your career; those seeking School Library Media Specialist certification must take it if you never completed a technical services course in your master's program.
Cataloging for School and Small Public Libraries
17:611:530 (3 credits)
This cataloging course will focus on the needs and resource constraints of school and small public libraries. We will emphasize Dewey Decimal Classification and Library of Congress Subject Headings, and issues of metadata will be examined. Participation in shared cataloging utilities and the purchase of commercially provided cataloging will be explored. Handling of non-print and print materials, and the use of microcomputers for technical services will be included. Prerequisites : experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
Generally offered in spring.

Education Sequence for School Library Certifications

To qualify for Associate School Library Media Specialist or School Library Media Specialist, in addition to your library studies courses you must meet one of the following requirements:
(1) Hold a standard New Jersey or out-of-State instructional certificate. A military science endorsement will not satisfy this requirement; or
(2) Complete a State-approved college teacher preparation program with or without student teaching; or
(3) Complete a coherent college program at a regionally accredited college or university that includes a minimum of nine semester-hour credits in educational theory, curriculum design and integration, teaching methodology, student/learning development, and behavior management.

Completion of all three of the following courses meets the third option listed:

Theory and Foundations of Education for the School Library Media Specialist
17:611:520 (3 credits)
An introduction to the historical foundations and major theories and philosophies in education. The focus is on the role of the school library media specialist as a teacher in the media center and the professional community of the school. Students will explore and apply learning and child development theories; develop strategies for communication with students, parents, faculty and staff, administration, and other professionals; and explore legal issues connected to the role of library media specialist. A major component of the class will be to support each student in developing a personal philosophy of education. Prerequisites: permission to enroll in this course will be granted to students who are seeking certification as a school library media specialist or associate school library media specialist, as evidenced by current or previous enrollment in appropriate coursework; experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
Planned to be offered in fall and summer.

Curriculum Design/Integration and Teaching Methodologies for the School Library Media Specialist
17:611:521 (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to teaching strategies and learning models used in the classroom and library media center. Students will focus on new trends in educational research and identify current trends in instruction. Emphasis will be placed on the planning and construction of lesson plans and units of study based on principles of curriculum design for the instruction and integration of New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning. Prerequisites: permission to enroll in this course will be granted to students who are seeking certification as a school library media specialist or associate school library media specialist, as evidenced by current or previous enrollment in appropriate coursework; experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
May require observations to be completed in a school setting. Planned to be offered in spring and summer.

Student Learning Development and Behavior Management for the School Library Media Specialist
17:611:522 (3 credits)
An introduction to the characteristics and learning styles of learners, techniques for classroom management, and rules and expectations in the school library and classroom. Prerequisites: permission to enroll in this course will be granted to students who are seeking certification as a school library media specialist or associate school library media specialist, as evidenced by current or previous enrollment in appropriate coursework; experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
May require observations to be completed in a school setting. Planned to be offered in fall and spring.

Admission and Registration

You must apply and be admitted to Rutgers as a nondegree graduate student to enroll in any of our programs or classes.

Please visit our admissions instructions page to access the nondegree application and the registration coupon.

You may see our offerings by semester by returning to our home page and clicking on your semester of interest under "Regular Course Offerings" in the menu bar on your right.

Other Information

Please review our academic policies related to the school library media classes.

You may want to read our FAQ before enrolling in these courses. If you have questions after reading the FAQ, please contact us by emailing to mandrich@rutgers.edu or calling 732-932-7169.