The Florida State University College of Information

Home : Graduate : Certificates : School Library Media Leadership

School Library Media Leadership

Purpose

To prepare school library media specialists to be leaders by strengthening skills in decision making, team building, persuading, presenting, educating, and negotiating. This post-Master's certificate program is intended to develop increased expertise among people who already have some experience, rather than to introduce new professionals to the field. However, exceptions may be made to admit students who are currently enrolled in the Master’s degree program.

It is specifically designed to develop leadership, analytical, and reflective skills that will facilitate success not only in professional practice but also toward National Board Certification for already certified school library media specialists. The courses are constructed to provide the skills to positively impact student learning; collaborate with teachers to effectively use library resources tailored to the learning needs of students; and effectively select and integrate various technologies into the instructional program of the school.

Note: Some experience as a certified school library media specialist is also preferred.

Certificate Requirements

The following 12 credit hours are required. No other courses may be substituted for any of the courses listed below.

LIS 5524 Instructional Role of the Information Professional (3 credits)
LIS 5916 Information Leadership (3 credits)
LIS 5916 Leadership in Reading (3 credits)
LIS 5916 Leadership in Technology (3 credits)

Requirements for Admission and Award of a Certificate

Note: This certificate is available to degree-seeking and non-degree students.

Degree-seeking students must:

Must be enrolled in the Master’s (MLIS) degree prior to admission to the certificate program;
Submit a completed Application for Certificate to the College of Information; and
Obtain approval by the School Media faculty after review of an admission essay. For more details and essay instructions, go to: Project LEAD Essay Requirement.

Note: Some experience as a certified school library media specialist is also preferred.

Non-Degree students must:

Have earned a Bachelor degree prior to admission;
Apply and be admitted as a “special student” (i.e., non-degree) to the University;
Submit a completed Application for Certificate to the College of Information; and
Request an official transcript to be sent directly to the College of Information, in addition to the one(s) required by the University for admission.
Obtain approval by the School Media faculty after review of an admission essay. For more details and essay instructions, go to: Project LEAD Essay Requirement.

Note: Non-degree students do not need to take a standardized test (e.g., GRE) for admission into a certificate program. If a student decides later to apply for admission as a degree-seeking student, GRE score will be required at that time.

To receive the certificate, students must:

Complete 12-credit hours of course work (four courses) from the approved list of courses, and
Earn a B or higher in each of the four courses taken for credit. (This is a higher standard of academic performance per course than required for the degree.)

Send your completed Application for Certificate (degree and non-degree students)
and one official transcript (non-degree students only) to:

Graduate Certificate Program
Attn: Marion Davis
College of Information
Florida State University
P.O. Box 2100
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2100