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School Library Certification for Pennsylvania Residents
Pennsylvania certified teachers who complete the following 34-credit program with a 3.0 GPA or better can request to add "School Library Media" to their teaching certificate by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). This certification is granted for grades K- 12.
Complete the one-credit Introductory Seminar
Complete 10 core courses of the School Library & Information Technologies (SL&IT) graduate program, earning a Master’s of Education degree
Complete the culminating, three-credit School Library Practicum (LSC 5565) course
Pass the state-required Library Media Specialist PRAXIS II Test.
Although Pennsylvania certified teachers can become certified school librarians by passing the Library Media Specialist PRAXIS II Test, completion of the SL&IT program fully prepares the candidate for the rigors of the job. The following course plan of 32 credits is designed for PRAXIS-certified school librarians who have been working as a professional school librarian for at least one consecutive year prior to taking the culminating LSC 5565 course.
Upon completion with a 3.0 GPA or better, candidates earn a Master of Education in School Library & Information Technologies and may request school library media certification from PDE.
Complete the one-credit Introductory Seminar,
Complete 10 core courses of the School Library & Information Technologies (SL&IT) graduate program, and
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Complete a culminating, one-credit School Library Practicum course (LSC 5565).
Students must contact the Department Chairperson (Cindy Keller) for approval of the one-credit School Library Practicum (LSC 5565) course.
Master's Degree Only—No School Library Certification
Any student who is seeking only the Master of Education degree, without school library certification, must complete the following courses earning a 3.0 GPA or better:
the one-credit Introductory Seminar,
10 core courses of the School Library & Information Technologies graduate program, and
a culminating, three-credit School Library Practicum (LSC 5565) course.
School Library Certification for Non-Pennsylvania Residents
Out-of-state students may seek school library certification one of two ways:
through their state’s department of education
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by earning Pennsylvania school library certification and applying through reciprocity to their state’s department of education
Pennsylvania has reciprocal certification agreements with all states. Known as the Interstate Agreement, this provision allows teachers certified in a particular state to teach in reciprocal states, sometimes with additional requirements. Even though Pennsylvania may have a reciprocal certification agreement with another state, out-of-state students still need to contact their state’s department of education to see if there are additional requirements that must be met in order to apply Pennsylvania school library certification in another state.
Students who are working with their state’s department of education to earn school library certification must first fulfill these requirements earning a 3.0 GPA or better from Mansfield, unless directed otherwise by their state’s department of education.
the one-credit Introductory Seminar,
10 core courses of the School Library & Information Technologies graduate program, and
either the one or three-credit School Library Practicum (LSC 5565) course (depending on whether the candidate has worked as a professional school librarian for at least one consecutive year prior to taking the culminating LSC 5565 course).
Students must contact the Department Chairperson (Cindy Keller) for approval of the one-credit School Library Practicum (LSC 5565) course.
An out-of-state student who wishes to earn Pennsylvania school library certification first and then use the Interstate Agreement to secure certification in his or her state needs to follow these Pennsylvania requirements:
Hold a baccalaureate degree
Have completed a state-approved teacher education program, including a supervised student teaching experience, leading to a teaching certificate
Have taken at least 3 credits of college-level English composition coursework, 3 credits of college-level English literature coursework and 6 credits of mathematics courses (which may be undergraduate courses)
Examinations including the following Educational Testing Services (ETS) tests:
PRAXIS I for PPST Reading, PPST Writing, and PPST Mathematics
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PRAXIS I for PPST Fundamental Subjects Content Knowledge Test (0511)
PRAXIS II Test for Library Media Specialist near or at the end of the Mansfield program (0311)
Complete all required courses in Mansfield’s program (31 credits) plus either the one or three-credit School Library Practicum (LSC 5565), depending on whether the candidate has worked as a professional school librarian for at least one consecutive year prior to taking the culminating course
Have earned at least a 3.0 GPA
Passed the PRAXIS II Test for Library Media Specialist near or at the end of the Mansfield program
Received the recommendation from the Certification Officer at Mansfield University.
Certification Advice for Out-of-State Candidates
When contacting your state department of education, find the answers to these important questions and get them in writing, if possible:
Does your state have a reciprocity agreement with PA? Are there any conditions?
Are there any additional courses that must be taken beyond the SL&IT courses?
What tests are required, if any, for school library certification in your state?
Helpful Certification Web Sites
The sites below are invaluable for informing students about certification requirements and reciprocity for each state:
School Library Media Certification by State (School Library Monthly)
50 States' Certification Requirements (University Of Kentucky)
About Certification for Applicants Prepared Outside of Pennsylvania (PDE)
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification)
Students are advised to contact Charlene Sisco, GST BOCES Teacher Certification Office, NY BOCES at 607-654-2269 or 962-3175 ext 269 or Betty DeNardo, Teacher Certification Coordinator at 607-654-2269 or 962-3175 x269. Additional information is available from the BOCES web page for certification information, at:
http://www.gstboces.org/certification.cfm
or the NY State Dept of Education's Certification page, at:
Information about the PRAXIS test (registration procedures, fees, forms, test dates and locations) are included in either the PRAXIS Series Registration Bulletin or the School Leadership Registration Bulletin. They are available at college and university offices, at university test centers, or from the Educational Testing Service (call 609-771-7395 or browse to http://www.ets.org/praxis).
Also check out the Praxis II Test at a Glance from ETS or the SL&IT’s Praxis Study Guide. Be sure to request that your PRAXIS test scores be sent to both Mansfield University and PDE. For additional information, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Certification Services (717-787-3356).