Teaching & Learning - Library Information Specialist
Overview
Illinois State University offers coursework designed especially for teachers seeking endorsement as Library Information Specialists. By completing the post-baccalaureate certificate program in Library Information Specialist, certified teachers complete the 24 credit hours in library science required by the Illinois State Board of Education as part of the endorsement process (the other part consists of passing the content-area exam). Taught by experienced practitioners and University faculty, the courses have been carefully mapped to the Illinois content area standards.
This certificate requires 24 credit hours for completion.
For more information regarding our graduation rates, cost of instruction, and the median loan debts of students who complete the program, please review the gainful employment disclosures.
Point of Pride
More Illinois State graduates have earned National Board certification, the gold standard for accomplished teaching, than alumni from any other university in the Midwest, among reporting teachers.
How to Apply
University Admission Requirements
A student applying to a graduate certificate program or as a graduate student at-large must:
- have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.
Additional Program Admission Requirements
A student applying to this program must:
- submit a current resume clearly documenting your teaching experience (schools; position held; and dates of employment)
- have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a master's program
- provide an official transcript from each higher education institution attended
- provide an official TOEFL/IELTS Score (if applying as an international student)
- prepare a satisfactory 1-2 page Professional Goals statement addressing: (1) why you want to be a school library media specialist/teacher-librarian; (2) your goals for your career as a teacher-librarian; and (3) the relationship between school librarianship and Realizing the Democratic Ideal, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Core Propositions, or Illinois Professional Teaching Standards
- submit names and email addresses of two references for letters of recommendation within the online application
Please note: Most of the students enrolling in these courses are certified teachers, though there are some exceptions. Prerequisites for all of the courses are: "Certified teachers or consent of instructor."
Application Deadlines
- Fall Term — February 1