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Indiana University Online

School Librarianship, Graduate Certificate

Enhance your teaching license with the Graduate Certificate in School Librarianship from IU Online. Become an effective school librarian and a curricular leader in your school and district through this fully online program.

Course Delivery: 100% Online

Total Credits: 16

In-State Tuition Per Credit: $492.50

Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit: $492.50

Cost of attendance may vary by campus. View the total cost calculator

Certificate Overview

As a student in the Graduate Certificate in School Librarianship, you’ll learn how to manage the collections and facilities of a school library, including the space, technology, and staff. You’ll study how to implement teaching methods, collaborative planning techniques, and evaluation processes that are associated with effective instruction.

You’ll also use state grade-level curriculum standards to plan, teach, and evaluate instruction that embeds information, media, and technology literacy within the classroom content. This certificate prepares you for the Pearson Library Content test or other state librarian licensure exams.

You’ll graduate with an Indiana University certificate respected by employers worldwide—and you can work on yours anytime and anywhere. Plus, you’ll enjoy personalized support services throughout your academic journey.

To be accepted to this program, you must have:
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
To apply to this program:

Complete an online application that includes:  

  • Official transcripts
  • Personal statement
  • TOEFL scores (minimum 100) or IELTS scores (minimum 7.5) (international students only)
Application Deadlines

Spring semester: Nov 1

Summer semester: Mar 1

Fall semester: Jun 1

Note: This program is not eligible for financial aid.

Your IU Online Graduate Certificate in School Librarianship prepares you for such careers as:
  • School librarian 
  • Library media teacher or specialist (K–12) 
  • Library assistant or clerk (K–12) 

To earn the Graduate Certificate in School Librarianship, you must complete 16 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

  • Core courses (13 credit hours)
  • Elective (3 credit hours)

NOTE: If you choose to pursue the IU Online Master of Library and Information Science, these certificate courses may apply toward your degree requirements. Completion of the certificate program does not guarantee admission to the graduate program. 

Core
Core Classes for the School Librarianship Graduate Certificate
Course Number Course Name Credits
LIS-S 502 Acquisitions and Management of Knowledge and Information 3 Credits
LIS-S 571 -OR- LIS-S 672 Materials for Youth -OR- Seminar on Literature for Youth 3 Credits
LIS-S 573 Education of Information Users 3 Credits
LIS-S 604 Topics in Library & Information Science (Cataloging for School Librarians) 1-4 Credits
LIS-S 671 School Media 3 Credits

Elective

Electives for School Librarianship Graduate Certificate
Course Number Course Name Credits
LIS-S 557 Marketing for Libraries 3 Credits
LIS-S 571 Materials for Youth 3 Credits
LIS-S 573 Education of Information Users 3 Credits
LIS-S 591 Grant Writing 3 Credits
LIS-S 603 Workshop in Library and Information Science 1-3 Credits
LIS-S 621 Audio and Video Sources 3 Credits
LIS-S 640 Seminar in Intellectual Freedom 3 Credits
LIS-S 672 Seminar on Literature for Youth 3 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

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