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 and descriptions of the courses on the master’s programs page.
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, and electives. In addition, students must complete two co-requisite courses from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (six credit hours) that do not count toward the master’s degree requirements, unless you enroll in them for graduate credit. 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’s Degree in Information Science and a Tennessee State Department of Education license as a School Librarian.
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 and descriptions of the courses on the master’s programs page. Here is the advising sheet for this option.
The requirements include the three required courses (INSC 511, 512, and 514) plus IS 551, 560, 571, 572, and 596. Students may choose from a variety of electives that include INSC 573, 576, 577, 583, or youth-oriented 590 special topics courses.
Upon completion of the requirements, students will earn a Master of Science in Information Science and a Tennessee State Department of Education Additional Endorsement as a School Librarian.
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.
This option is for those that 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. Here is the advising sheet for this option.
For those who hold an ALA-accredited master’s degree (see the note below) and have approval of the faculty advisor, the requirements are a maximum of 21 hours within the school’s program, including the required INSC 595. In addition, students must complete two co-requisite courses from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (6 credit hours) beyond the required 24 hours. These courses are listed under Track 1.
The courses required to fulfill this option are determined on an individual basis, upon completion of a transcript evaluation.
Upon completion of the requirements, students will earn a Tennessee State Department of Education license and an Endorsement as a School Librarian.
Option 4: I am currently a licensed Tennessee teacher and want to add only the PreK-12 School Library Endorsement to my license.
This option is for those that are a currently licensed Tennessee classroom teacher who just wants to add the PreK-12 School Library Endorsement to your existing license. The advising sheet for this option is here, and gives more information about the course titles and when the various courses are taught.
Upon graduating from SIS, the school library media certification is transferable to most states across the country. To transfer your certification, simply send your Tennessee license to your “new” home state’s department of education with accompanying transcripts and any relevant information that is required.
A new certification 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 full Master’s in Information Science, licensure and the PreK-12 School Library Endorsement qualifies students for jobs in school as well as public libraries, but it also prepares you 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 you have other questions about anything related to school librarianship, please email schoolmediasis@utk.edu.
This option is only available to currently licensed Tennessee teachers, who want to add the PreK-12 School Librarian Endorsement to their existing license. The requirements include the three required courses (INSC 511, 512, 514) plus INSC 551, 560, 571, 572, and INSC 596.
Upon completion of the requirements, students will gain a Tennessee State Department of Education additional endorsement as a Prek-12 School Librarian.
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.