Education Sequence for School Library Certification

If you DO NOT have a degree in education, you will probably need to complete 3 courses in an education sequence for school library certification. These classes are all offered online, and generally 2 of of the 3 courses are offered per semester (summer, fall, spring).

To qualify for Associate School Library Media Specialist or School Library Media Specialist, in addition to your library studies courses you must meet one of the following requirements:
(1) Hold a standard New Jersey or out-of-State instructional certificate. A military science endorsement will not satisfy this requirement; or
(2) Complete a State-approved college teacher preparation program with or without student teaching; or
(3) Complete a coherent college program at a regionally accredited college or university that includes a minimum of nine semester-hour credits in educational theory, curriculum design and integration, teaching methodology, student/learning development, and behavior management.

Here is a listing of these courses:
Theory and Foundations of Education for the School Library Media Specialist
17:611:520 (3 credits)
An introduction to the historical foundations and major theories and philosophies in education. The focus is on the role of the school library media specialist as a teacher in the media center and the professional community of the school. Students will explore and apply learning and child development theories; develop strategies for communication with students, parents, faculty and staff, administration, and other professionals; and explore legal issues connected to the role of library media specialist. A major component of the class will be to support each student in developing a personal philosophy of education. Prerequisites: permission to enroll in this course will be granted to students who are seeking certification as a school library media specialist or associate school library media specialist, as evidenced by current or previous enrollment in appropriate coursework; experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
Planned to be offered in fall and summer.

Curriculum Design/Integration and Teaching Methodologies for the School Library Media Specialist
17:611:521 (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to teaching strategies and learning models used in the classroom and library media center. Students will focus on new trends in educational research and identify current trends in instruction. Emphasis will be placed on the planning and construction of lesson plans and units of study based on principles of curriculum design for the instruction and integration of New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning. Prerequisites: permission to enroll in this course will be granted to students who are seeking certification as a school library media specialist or associate school library media specialist, as evidenced by current or previous enrollment in appropriate coursework; experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
May require observations to be completed in a school setting. Planned to be offered in spring and summer.

Student Learning Development and Behavior Management for the School Library Media Specialist
17:611:522 (3 credits)
An introduction to the characteristics and learning styles of learners, techniques for classroom management, and rules and expectations in the school library and classroom. Prerequisites: permission to enroll in this course will be granted to students who are seeking certification as a school library media specialist or associate school library media specialist, as evidenced by current or previous enrollment in appropriate coursework; experience using email and basic World Wide Web searching techniques, your own reliable Internet account, and the hardware and software required for an online course.
May require observations to be completed in a school setting. Planned to be offered in fall and spring.

In order to register for these classes, you need to contact the office of Professional Development. They will then email you an application to complete and mail into their office. When they receive it, they will email you a special permission number to register for the course.

The PDS website's FAQ page is located here: http://tinyurl.com/64tbuj

If you have any questions, you can contact Melanie Andrich at: mandrich@rutgers.edu