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K–12 School Librarianship

If you are interested in working as a library media specialist in K–12 schools, the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) offers a program that allows you to meet the requirements for the master of science (M.S.) in library and information science, while also pursuing the courses and training needed for certification as a "Library Information Specialist" in the state of Illinois. The M.S. is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) and is continuously ranked one of the best in the field. The requirements for school certification were approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in 2001 and are in compliance with the most current Content Area Standards for Educators.

Depending on your background and what credentials you have already earned, there are several different paths toward library certification. The prerequisites for and outcomes of these different paths are outlined in the following table.

If you...
 

do not have a teaching certificate

have an Illinois teaching certificate*

The plan to follow is…

M.S./K–12 LIS Certification Program

Earn LIS Endorsement as either...

an M.S. student

a non-degree student

Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree
  • No application necessary
  • Complete "Request to Enroll in GSLIS Course(s)" form to indicate interest, available on our Community Credit program pages

Coursework
  • 40 hours of required LIS courses
  • 4 Education Courses
  • Completion of CTE Common Assessment Portfolio
  • 40 hours of LIS courses, including 24 hours of recommended courses for the endorsement
  • 24 hours of recommended LIS courses (LIS 403, 404, 504, 505, 506, 507, 590SM)

Field Experience
  • 100-hour practicum
  • 16 weeks of student teaching
  • None required, but practicum is strongly recommended.
  • None required, but practicum is strongly recommended.

Test
  • Basic Skills Test (required for admission)
  • Pass the LIS Content Area Test
  • Pass the K-12 Assessment of Professional Teaching Test
  • Pass the LIS Content Area Test
  • Pass the LIS Content Area Test

Number of Semesters Needed (summers counted as a semester)
  • Full-time: 5-8 semesters
  • Part-time: Must be completed within 5 years
  • Full-time: 3-4 semesters
  • Part-time: Must be completed within 5 years
  • Full-time: 2–3 semesters
  • Part-time: 3–6 semesters

On-campus/LEEP
  • LIS courses offered on-campus and via LEEP
  • Some Education courses offered online; others may be completed at another university with prior approval
  • Courses offered on-campus and via LEEP
  • Courses offered on-campus and via LEEP

Outcomes
  • Earn an M.S. in Library and Information Science
  • Earn a Type 10 Illinois Teaching Certificate as a K–12 Library Information Specialist

*If you hold an out-of-state teaching certificate, contact K-12 Program Coordinator at -lis-k12, at uiuc.edu- or 217-244-0197.
**The Middle Grades endorsement is required to work in a library in a building containing grades 5–8.

www.lis.illinois.edu | -gslis, at illinois.edu-

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
501 E. Daniel Street, MC-493, Champaign, IL 61820-6211 USA
voice: (217) 333-3280, fax: (217) 244-3302