School Media Licensure Certificate

SCHOOL MEDIA CERTIFICATE
Students with a Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution may complete additional requirements to obtain certification from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) as a school library media coordinator. The certificate program meets national standards from the ALA/AASL (American Library Association/American Association of School Librarians) as well as the professional standards required to work in North Carolina public schools.

I. Admission Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the US with a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (“A”= 4.0) on all undergraduate degrees (exceptions to the 2.75 GPA requirement may be made for applicants with relevant professional experience.)
  2. A Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited Library Science program. Provide official transcripts with a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (“A”= 4.0) on all graduate degrees
  3. Official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (must be received in sealed university envelopes)
  4. GRE is NOT required and nor are submitted scores considered.
  5. Statement of purpose. This statement should be approximately 700-800 words (2-3 pages). Please discuss the following in the statement:
    •How have your personal, academic, and work experiences influenced your application?
    •What are your professional objectives, and how do you expect to achieve them?
    •How do you hope to contribute to the field, especially in light of the School’s mission “to prepare professionals to become leaders who can advance the library and information sciences in a diverse and global society”?
  6. Resume or CV
  7. Two letters of recommendation
  8. For more information and to begin the admission process, contact the School of Graduate Studies.

II. Program Requirements

Students must complete at least 12 semester hours of course work in the school media concentration at the North Carolina Central University Library Science Program.
Students must satisfy the NCCU teacher education program’s professional knowledge requirements or their equivalents (as determined through transcript evaluation by the Dean of the School of Library and Information Sciences). Absent those requirements, students must complete two graduate level Education courses that teach basic education philosophies and the school curriculum as well as an understanding of the learner and the learning processes.
Students seeking licensure in North Carolina must provide evidence of meeting the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NC DPI) K-12 competencies for School Media Coordinators (as determined through transcript evaluation by the Dean of the School of Library and Information Sciences).
Students applying for licensure in North Carolina must pass the PRAXIS School Media Specialist (5311) test. Unofficial copies of Praxis scores must be sent to the student’s faculty advisor and the Executive Assistant to the Dean.
If the LSIS 5620 Practicum is not taken at this university, the School’s Exit Criteria Form for School Media Coordinator (076) Competency must be completed satisfactorily by a certified media coordinator, principal, assistant principal, or a library media supervisor who has supervised the applicant’s work in a school media center. All practicums must be completed at state-accredited institutions.
Required Courses:
• LSIS 5130 – Administration of the School Media Center (3)
• LSIS 5505 – Children’s Resources and Services (3)
• LSIS 5525 – Adolescent Resources and Services (3)
• LSIS 5645 – Family and Community Relationships (3)
Practicum Requirement:
• LSIS 5620 – Practicum (3) (This course is not required if the student has at least one calendar year of work experience at a school media center under the supervision of a licensed school media coordinator.)

Education Course Requirements:
Students must also meet the following two graduate Education course requirements:

  1. One education course dealing with an understanding of the learner and the learning process: LSIS 5614 – Information Technologies in Educational Organizations (3) (preferred course). Equivalent graduate education courses from the NCCU School of Education are also acceptable.
  2. One education course that extends an understanding of the basic education philosophies and the school curriculum: LSIS 5134 – Leadership in Educational Organizations (3) (preferred course). Equivalent graduate educations courses from the NCCU School of Education are also acceptable.

III. Exit Requirements

  1. Minimum cumulative GPA of a B (3.0) and satisfaction all graduation criteria and policies and procedures conveyed in the NCCU Graduate Student Catalog
  2. Matriculation for a minimum period of two semesters or four summer sessions.
  3. All work credited towards the School Media Licensure Certificate must be completed within a period of six years.

Submitted for approval on 11/8/2022 and discussed at Academic Planning Council Meeting on 11/9/2022
• For a new program, provide the program requirements to be shown in catalog: