Below are questions about and answers to issues about which students are frequently concerned.

General School Media Internship Information

How do I determine whether to enroll in the 3 credit hour school media internship or the 6 credit hour school media internship?

The 3 credit hour school media internship is designed for students who have valid teacher certification and have previously participated in student teaching. Students enrolled in this internship will complete a series of projects created to give them exposure to the activities and duties that school media specialists are expected to undertake.

The 6 credit hour school media internship is designed for students who do not hold teacher certification. It provides them with opportunities to gain experience in a school setting working with students and other members of the school community under the supervision and guidance of an experienced media specialist.

This internship is one of consistently increasing intern responsibility and involves weekly activities in the school media center setting as well as several written assignments that supplement hands-on training.

Can I enroll in other courses while I am completing a school media internship?

The school media internship is the culminating experience of the school media specialist program. The activities and assignments associated with both the 3 and 6 credit hour internships are time intensive and most successfully completed when the internship is taken without the student being enrolled in additional courses. Students should plan their coursework prior to the internship in such a way that no classes remain except the internship; only in rare instances will permission be given for the internship to be taken in conjunction with other courses.

Can I skip the internship and still get my MLIS degree?

Students who elect not to complete the internship may earn an MLIS degree. Students will NOT, however, earn school media certification without the internship. Students who elect not to complete internship requirements should select a new major concentration.

Do I have to intern at a school in Florida?

No. Students may complete the requirements for both the 3 and 6 credit school media internships while living in states other than Florida. Application procedures and internship requirements are the same for out of state students and Florida residents.

Who should I contact if I need information about school media internships, have questions or concerns about enrolling in a school media internship or if I experience difficulties during the internship?

The School Media Internship Coordinator is the first person that students should contact to obtain any information about school media internships. The Internship Coordinator will also address students' questions and concerns regarding internship enrollment procedures and any difficulties that arise during the internship.

School Media Internship Application Procedures

Do I submit my internship documents to the College of Information or to the College of Education? 

Applications for school media internships involve completing documents from both the College of Education and the College of Information. All documents must be submitted to the Internship Coordinator in the College of Information. The Internship Coordinator will create individual files for students and disseminate copies of the completed applications and any accompanying documents to the appropriate personnel in the College of Education.

The Teacher Education application requires information about the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE ) and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). I am having trouble passing one or more of the portions of the General Knowledge Exam on the FTCE. I also scored less than 1000 on the GRE. Will I be able to enroll in an internship?

Students will not be enrolled in an internship unless they meet all criteria for admission into Teacher Education as it appears on the application. Further, successful completion of all portions of the General Knowledge Exam, the Professional Education Exam, and the Subject Area (Library Media) Exam are requirements for earning school media certification. Test preparation guides for each of these exams may be purchased online. Students who experience difficulty passing one or more of these tests should notify the Internship Coordinator.

I took the CLAST while an undergraduate. Will I be able to enroll in an internship?

Students who earned a passing score on the CLAST exam will be admitted to Teacher Education and enrolled in a school media internship. However, all portions of the FTCE must also be passed successfully prior to graduation in order to earn School Media certification.

The Teacher Education application requires me to be fingerprinted. What is the fingerprinting procedure?

Each school district in Florida has different fingerprinting procedures. Interns must contact the district in which they will be placed to determine the exact process and associated fees. Out of state students must contact their school district to obtain information about the fingerprinting process.

I was fingerprinted as a requirement for my current job which is not in the field of Education. Do I have to be fingerprinted again in order to apply for a school media internship?

Yes. In accordance with the Jessica Lunsford Act (F.S. 1012.465), all individuals who have direct contact with students in grades PK-12 must have a Level II Security Check by the school district in which they will interact with those students.

I am a certified tacher (or have worked in a school in some other capacity) and have been fingerprinted through the school district. Do I have to be fingerprinted again to apply for the school media internship?

If a student has been fingerprinted through a school district within the past three years, s/he will not need to repeat the process. Students must provide proof of valid fingerprinting (each district will generally provide interns with an ID card that indicates security clearance).

School Media Internship Procedures/Regulations

I have the opportunity to take a full-time job as a school media specialist before I have completed my 6 credit internship. Can the job be counted as my internship?

No. Employment in a school media center may not be used as a substitute for the internship.

I have to complete a 3 credit hour internship. How do I find a mentor?

Students enrolled in the 3 credit hour internship must identify a mentor who will provide guidance and feedback for completing the individual projects. The mentor must be certified and have experience as a school media specialist. Students may contact the School Media Internship Coordinator for assistance with selecting a mentor.

Can I complete my 3 credit internship in the school where I am currently teaching?

Yes. Students must choose a mentor and have access to a school media center in order to successfully complete the 3 credit internship. The mentor and media center may both be at the school at which the student is employed as a teacher.

Can I complete my 3 credit internship in the school where I'm currently working as a school media specialist?

Yes. The student may use the school media center at which s/he works in order to complete projects and assignments. The student must choose a mentor at another location if no certified, experienced media specialist works in the student's media center.

Do I arrange my own internship site for the 6 credit internship?

No. The Internship Coordinator will work with the College of Education to arrange internships for students. Students select the county in which they will complete the internship and may submit suggestions about specific school placements, however, there is no guarantee that the student will be assigned to the requested school.

I'm working full-time. How can I complete a 6 credit internship?

Students may complete the internship on a part-time basis which allows more flexibility for arranging employment schedules.

Can I intern at the school my child attends?

No. Students may not intern at the same location where their child is enrolled as a student.