Earn Your School Library Media Licensure at SIS
School librarians impact the present and the future through their work with PreK-12 students in a variety of settings, from private to public institutions. It takes curiosity, discipline, and dedication to be a good school librarian. Our School Library Media Program is ranked as number 11 nationwide by the US News & World Report.
The school library program at SIS combines an American Library Association-accredited master’s degree with a teaching license and a PreK-12th school library endorsement. School library management prepares future librarians to protect our students’ freedom to read and teach effective research skills. Many high school libraries have become the heart of the building, providing academic as well as social support.”
Brigid Day (’23)
High school librarian, Ravenwood High School, Brentwood, Tenn.
Which Option is Right for You
The School of Information Sciences offers four options for the School Library Media Specialist endorsement based on previous education and work experience. Choose the option that corresponds to your current situation to view the requirements for your endorsement.
- Option 1: I want to gain my initial license, the American Library Association accredited Master of Science in Information Science, and my PreK-12 School Library Endorsement.
- Option 2: I am currently or have been previously licensed as a teacher and want to gain the ALA-accredited Master’s in Information Science along with the PreK-12 School Library Endorsement.
- Option 3: I want to gain my initial license and the PreK-12 School Library endorsement, but I already have an American Library Association accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science.
- Option 4: I am currently a licensed Tennessee teacher and want to add only the PreK-12 School Library Endorsement to my license.
Option 1: I want to gain my initial license, the American Library Association accredited Master of Science in Information Science, and my PreK-12 School Library Endorsement.
This option is for those that have never had a teaching license AND do not have an American Library Association accredited master’s degree in library or information sciences. You can learn more about the MSIS program on the master’s programs page and see a description of courses in the graduate catalog.
For those who do not hold an American Library Association accredited master’s degree, the requirements for initial licensure and PreK-12 School Library Endorsement include the three required courses (INSC 511, 512, and 514) plus INSC 551, 560, 571, 572, 595, or 596. Students can take up six hours of electives (two classes). In addition, students must complete two co-requisite courses from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (six credit hours) that count toward the master’s degree requirements. These courses include:
- Applied Educational Psychology EDPY 501 (3 hours) Application of concepts, principles, techniques, and models from educational psychology to facilitate student learning and creation of effective classroom environments.
- Special Education and Diverse Learners SPED 503 (3 hours) Characteristics and needs of students with disabilities and diverse learners with an emphasis on educational implications. Techniques, strategies, and resources for teaching and assessing students with diverse learning, behavioral, medical, and/or socio-cultural characteristics, and the requirements of special education and other relevant laws.
Upon completion of the requirements, students will earn a Master of Science in Information Sciences and a Tennessee State Department of Education license with the endorsement of 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12.
Please email the program coordinator at schoolmediasis@utk.edu if you would like an updated advising sheet for Option 1.
Option 2: I am currently or have been previously licensed as a teacher and want to gain the ALA-accredited Master’s in Information Science along with the PreK-12 School Library Endorsement.
This option is for those that are currently or have ever been licensed in any state as a teacher but do not hold a master’s degree in library or information science. You can learn more about the MSIS program on the master’s programs page and see a description of courses in the graduate catalog.
The requirements include the three required courses (INSC 511, 512, and 514) plus INSC 551, 560, 571, and 572. Students may choose from a variety of electives that include INSC 573, 576, 577, 583, 596, or youth-oriented 590 special topics courses. INSC 596 Field Experience in School Libraries is optional.
Upon completion of the requirements, students will earn a Master of Science in Information Sciences and receive the Tennessee State Department of Education 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12 endorsement.
Please email the program coordinator at schoolmediasis@utk.edu if you would like an updated advising sheet for Option 2.
Option 3: I want to gain my initial license and the PreK-12 School Library endorsement, but I already have an American Library Association accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science.
The School Library Information Specialist Certificate is for those who already have an American Library Association accredited master’s degree in library or information science but are not and never have been a licensed teacher.
NOTE: We are unable to accept transfer credits from programs that have not been accredited by the American Library Association.
For those who hold an ALA-accredited master’s degree, the requirements for this certificate are between 12 and 23 graduate credit hours and include two co-requisite graduate courses from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (six credit hours). These courses are described under Option 1.
The courses required to fulfill this option are determined on an individual basis and upon the evaluation of the student’s transcript by the Director of Graduate Studies.
Students enrolled in the School Library Information Specialist Certificate have the option to pursue licensure through student teaching or as job-embedded practitioners.
Upon completion of the requirements, students will earn a graduate certificate and a Tennessee State Department of Education license with a 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12 endorsement.
Please email the program coordinator at schoolmediasis@utk.edu if you would like an updated advising sheet for Option 3.
Option 4: I am currently a licensed Tennessee teacher and want to add only the PreK-12 School Library Endorsement to my license.
The School Librarianship Graduate Certificate is for those that are currently licensed Tennessee classroom teachers and want to add the 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12 endorsement to their existing credentials. The requirements include the three required courses (INSC 511, 512, and 514) plus INSC 551, 560, 571, and 572. INSC 596 Field Experience in School Libraries is optional. The certificate requires 21 graduate credit hours.
Upon completion of the requirements, students will earn the graduate certificate and obtain the Tennessee State Department of Education 473 Library Information Specialist PreK-12 endorsement.
Please email the program coordinator at schoolmediasis@utk.edu if you would like an updated advising sheet for option 4.
Upon graduating from SIS or completing the requirements for a graduate certificate, the Tennessee Teaching License and the school library media endorsement are transferable to most states across the country. To transfer their certification, students should simply send their Tennessee license to their “new” home state’s Department of Education with accompanying transcripts and any relevant information that is required. A new license should be granted with no additional courses demanded. Students should still check with their State Department of Education for licensure requirements to be certain of the direct transfer without additional coursework or requirements.
Graduation from this program with the Master of Science in Information Sciences or the completion of one of the two certificate programs and Tennessee licensure with the PreK-12 School Library Endorsement qualify students for jobs in school as well as public libraries, but it also prepares them for job opportunities in many other venues. If you would like to explore the full range of possibilities, email schoolmediasis@utk.edu.
If you do not see your situation or have other questions about anything related to school librarianship, please email schoolmediasis@utk.edu.
Note: Although you may choose to start with just the endorsement, we strongly encourage every applicant to consider the benefits of pursuing the full Master of Science in Information Science. Doing so may open new vistas and job opportunities for you, beyond schools and public libraries.