Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in School Library Media
12-24 months| Credit Hours: 21
The Non-Degree Certification program in School Library Media is designed to prepare individuals to serve as building-level school library media specialists (also known as “school librarians”) in PK-12 schools.
Program Highlights:
- 100% online courses facilitated by experienced online instructors
- Low or no cost textbooks
- Coursework focused exclusively on the PK-12 instructional program
- Relevant, real-world learning experiences designed to prepare students to serve in both face-to-face and virtual environments
- Multiple full-time faculty with extensive experience serving as PK-12 building-level media specialists and district-level media/technology coordinators
- Coursework aligned to the ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards (2019)
- Many program alumni are state and national award winners and serve in leadership roles in the greater school library and instructional technology fields
- Flexible field experience requirement - for more information, click here.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program sheet, which provides a required coursework sequence, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
Prospective students who hold a master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution may apply for admission to the School Library Media Non-Degree Certification program. However, this program option is best suited to those that hold professional teaching certification. All other prospective students are encouraged to apply to the M.Ed. in Instructional Technology, Media, & Design program with a concentration in School Library Media.
Students exit the program eligible for GaPSC level 5 Standard Professional Media Specialist certification (after passing the GACE Media Specialist content exam).
Contact: media@westga.edu
Career Opportunities
Program Location
Online
Method of Delivery
Coursework is 100% online.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The School Library Media program is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 21
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
The number of hours required to complete the program depends on the prior educational background of the student. For applicants who enter with professional teaching certification, the program consists of 21 hours of School Library Media coursework.
Downloads
General
This course provides an overview of the roles of the school library media specialist with a focus on the roles of leader and program administrator. Students will learn procedures in planning, administering, and evaluating school library media programs.
This course provides an overview of the information, media, and digital literacies that form the foundation of the information specialist role of the school library media specialist.
This course focuses on the reading and evaluation of Children's and Young Adult literature and information resources in a variety of formats for use within a school library program. In the role of teacher, students will evaluate, design, and engage in a variety of activities to promote the reading of children and young adult literature. In the role of instructional partner, they will collaborate with educators to reinforce literacy instruction in addressing the diverse needs and interests of all learners.
This is an introduction to the criteria of evaluation and the tools and techniques used in the role of program administrator for selecting, organizing and curating all types of resources for school library media centers.
This course prepares candidates to serve as instructional leaders in media in PK-12 schools. Candidates will use a systematic instructional design process and research-based professional learning practices to develop learning experiences that meet the needs of diverse learner populations in both physical and virtual environments.
This course provides an introduction to the role of the school library media specialist in regards to integrating technology effectively for teaching and learning in the school. The course will focus on the information specialist role and leading technology integration efforts, as well as selecting and evaluating digital resources, and collaborating as an instructional partner with school faculty so they can effectively use technology.
This course focuses upon implementation of and reflection upon school library media program learning outcomes. Documentation of all volunteer field experiences completed throughout the program will be compiled. An online portfolio will be developed and prepared for sharing with peers and instructors. This course must be taken during the last semester of the program.
Melissa Johnston, Ph.D.
Professor
Jessica M. Lilly, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Jessica Thompson, Ed.D.
SLM Program Coordinator/Lecturer
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
- Official transcripts from all schools that have conferred degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.) are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
- Master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution
- 2.7 GPA or higher in most recent degree
- Students pursuing this certificate to earn a School Library Media Specialist certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) should possess a current Level 5 renewable professional certificate from the GaPSC to be admitted to this program.
- Applicants with out-of-state teaching certificates must contact their home state's certification body to determine eligibility for certificate upgrade upon completion of the program at UWG.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
NOTE: Online students may qualify for a term-by-term exemption to the immunization policy. Contact the Immunization Clerk for more information.
Contact
Graduate Admissions
Phone: 678-839-1394
Email: graduate@westga.edu
Department of Educational Technology & Foundations
media@westga.edu
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline; Dates may vary for Readmit, Transfer, and Transient students.
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
- Candidates demonstrate content knowledge and skills.
- Candidates implement learning opportunities for all students.
- Candidates demonstrate professional dispositions.
- Candidates demonstrate ability to serve needs of diverse populations including special needs.