School Librarian Certificate Program
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding the School Librarian Certificate Program. For comprehensive description of the program and its requirements for application and completion, visit the School Librarian Certificate Program page.
Applying to the Program
- Who should apply?
Passionate, motivated, certified classroom teachers who wish to make a broader impact on teaching and learning in their schools. Teachers who are ready to work hard by collaborating with teachers to bring information literacy skills to the curriculum at point of need. Teachers who want to create a culture of reading at their schools and team with all stakeholders. Teachers who are self motivated, technology adopters and users, and who love working with all learners. Teachers who want to make their school library the place where every child’s needs are met and every child is honored. Teachers who want to be a part of something extraordinary--the School Librarian Certificate cohort at UT Austin.
- What are the requirements to be a certified school librarian in Texas?
- Hold a Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
- Successfully complete an Educator Preparation Program
- Successfully complete the School Librarian’s TExES (Texas Examination of Educator Standards)
- Have two years of classroom teaching experience in a public or accredited private school
- What is involved in the Educator Preparation Program (EPP)?
200 clock-hours of coursework include:
- Four courses (12 credit hours) which, in addition to school library content, will include instruction and training in:
- Educator Code of Ethics
- Commissioner’s standards
- Educator standards
- Dyslexia, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Youth
- Suicide, Digital Literacy
- Framework for evaluations
- Reading instruction & Dyslexia
- School library practicum (160 clock hours in a public or TEA approved elementary and secondary school library)
- Four courses (12 credit hours) which, in addition to school library content, will include instruction and training in:
- What are the qualifications to apply?
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Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education that at the time was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
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Hold a teaching certificate from the Texas Education Agency or other State’s teacher certificate agency.
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Have and provide evidence of two years full time classroom teaching experience AT TIME OF APPLICATION in a public or accredited private school. Applicants must be in at least year three of at time of application. Applicant’s service record from Texas Education Agency or other State’s teacher certificate agency is required.
Visit the Admissions page for detailed instructions.
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- What if I already have a Master’s degree?
Apply as a non-degree seeking student. Read Non-degree Seeking Student application policies.
- Do I need to take the GRE, if applying for MSIS?
No GRE is required.
- How do I apply for the School Librarian Certificate Program?
Visit the Admissions page for detailed instructions.
- What documents do I need for the application?
- Three letters of recommendation; one must be from your current principal or evaluation supervisor.
- Texas Education Agency ID number. Login or create new account: https://tealprod.tea.state.tx.us/
- Screenshot of your valid TEA teaching certificate: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/certificate-lookup
- Official Teaching service record from all districts from which you have taught proving you already have completed at least two years of classroom teaching upon application to this program.
- Statement of Purpose with a focus on school librarianship
- College Transcripts
- CV or Résumé
Visit the Admissions page for detailed instructions.
- When is the deadline for applying for the program?
February 1st
Costs and Fees
- How much is tuition for the School Librarian Certificate Program (not including the additional courses for a Master’s degree)?
Current as of 9.20.19. Subject to change.
- Summer (6 credit hours): $3,962
- Fall 1 (3 credit hours): $2,391
- Spring (3 credit hours) $2,391
- Fall 2 (3 credit hours) $2,391
Total: $11,135
Tuition calculator: https://tuition.utexas.edu/
If students take one class each summer session instead of the recommended two classes, their tuition will increase.
- What are the associated fees?
- Parking
- Texas Examination of Educator Standards
- Criminal background check
- Textbooks
- How much will textbooks cost?
Approximately $430 (exact texts yet to be selected)
School library management I & II: $160 (if you join American Library Association)
Inquiry & information seeking in K-12: $50
Materials for Children and YA: $120 textbooks + $100 children’s books (this cost can be lowered by borrowing library books)
- Are there financial aid or scholarships available?
Financial aid and scholarships are not offered through the university for students who attend less than half time (8 hours or less or non-degree seeking).
Courses and Practicum
- Is the program online?
The courses in the summer session are online synchronously via Zoom. The fall and spring courses are in person at the University of Texas School of Information, and the 160 hour practicum is conducted in person in an Austin-area public school library or libraries.
- When does the program begin?
The summer session of each year.
- What and when are the required courses?
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- Summer session 1 (June/July 5-weeks, 3 days per week)
- School Library Management 1: Literacy and Administration (9am – 12pm)
- Information Seeking and Inquiry for K-12 (1pm – 4 pm) (Another approved course may be substituted with the permission of the program coordinator, if the course is focused on k-12 inquiry and based on empirical research.)
- Fall 1 (one evening class per week from 6-9 pm)
- School Library Management II: Teaching and learning
- Summer session 1 (June/July 5-weeks, 3 days per week)
Spring (one evening class per week from 6-9 pm)
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- Materials for Children and YA
- Fall 2
- INF 388R Practicum in School Libraries (160 hours: 80 hours in an elementary library, 80 hours in a middle school or high school library). The practicum may be completed over two semesters—fall and spring.
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- What is the practicum?
The school library practicum (INF 388R) is a required internship, consisting of 160 hours of face-to-face practice in an elementary (80 hours) and secondary (80 hours) school library. The practicum provides opportunities for school library certification students to use prior and newly acquired skills and knowledge as applied to daily practices in a vibrant school library. Practicum students are supervised by a Site Supervisor who has a teaching certificate, three years teaching experience, and is an accomplished educator. The Site Supervisor reports the practicum student’s progress to the iSchool’s SLC coordinator. A Field Supervisor, holding a school librarian certificate and three years classroom experience, is employed by the University to conduct 135 minutes of formal observation and evaluation of the practicum student.
Visit the Practicum page for information on requirements.
- Can I complete my practicum during the summer?
No summer practicums will be considered.
- Can I complete my practicum during the Fall and Spring semesters?
Yes, the practicum may be spread out over Fall and Spring, in that order. You register for INF 188T (if you are finished with regular coursework) in the Fall. If you are taking another 3 hour course in the fall, you do not have to register for INF 188T. In the Spring you will register for INF388R, finishing before the last day of class at UT.
- How can I complete the practicum while teaching full time?
You will need to work it out with your school district and principal. Practicum students have used their personal days, hours before and after school, and during duty free lunch.
Certification Exam and Support
- Do I need to take a certification exam?
Yes, the Texas Examination of Educator Standards, School Librarian (150) examination
- For which grade levels will I be certified?
This certificate prepares the holder for work at all levels of public education in Texas, from Pre-Kindergarten through high school (PreK-12).
- What is the performance over the last 5 years for the program?
In the past five years, 100% of our school librarian graduates passed the TExES school librarian certificate exam.
- Will there be support after I secure a position as a first year school librarian?
Oh, yes! You will have the support of your cohort and the Program Coordinator.