Certificate of Advanced Study
in School Media

Specialize in turning K-12 students into lifelong learners.

If you already have an ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science and want to specialize in K-12 education, then our C.A.S. in School Media will help you stand out as a certified school library media specialist.

  • Enhance your ALA-accredited LIS master’s degree to meet New York State Department of Education requirements.
  • Prepare to excel in certification exams and advance your career in school media services.
  • Specialize in K-12 education and become a certified school library media specialist with our C.A.S. in School Media.
  • Gain the skills to support students, educators, and school administrators through effective library and media management.
  • Leverage the strength of our flagship LIS program, tailored specifically for school media professionals.
Quick Info

Next term starts Spring 2025, on campus

7 Courses / 21 Total Credit Hours

Courses & Curriculum

Our LIS: School Media certificate program is 21 credits. The program prepares you for a career as a school librarian and incorporates preparation for New York Department of Education certification into the curriculum.

View Full Course Catalog

Core Courses – 18 Credits

IST 564 | 3 CREDITS
Includes strategies for planning library programs and services that are inclusive of the information needs of PK-12th grade students with disabilities.

IST 611 | 3 CREDITS
Information and communications technologies, ethical issues, knowledge management tools, collaborative learning technologies, education databases, etc. On-site project field work constitutes a major portion of course requirements.

IST 612 | 3 CREDITS
Theories, practices, media, literature and emerging trends of youth services from preschool to high school are explored. A broad range of competencies necessary to work with youth in a variety of library settings are presented.

IST 717 | 3 CREDITS
Management of academic, public, and special libraries. Relationship between library and its parent institution; internal organization and operation; library information policies; library financing; legislation affecting libraries.

IST 662 | 3 CREDITS
Introduction to information literacy models for application to instruction in information organizations. Focus on strategies and techniques for designing, presenting, and evaluating information technology training and training materials for real clients.

IST 668 | 3 CREDITS
Introduction to methods that support and reinforce classroom instruction in developmental reading and language acquisition processes and skills. Development of programs and services that foster self-expression, promote literature appreciation, and encourage information-seeking behaviors.

Fieldwork

School media students must complete a total of 100 (non-credit) hours of fieldwork in elementary and secondary school libraries before their first practicum experience. A minimum of 15 hours must be with students with special needs.

Practicum – 3 credits

Students must complete a 3-credit, on-site, school-based supervised practica-one at the elementary level and one at the secondary level (240 hours each).

Additional Requirements

Students must complete the school media competencies checklist at the beginning of the program, after their second fieldwork experience, after their first practicum experience, and after all coursework, fieldwork and practica have been completed. This instrument is used as a means for documenting student growth and as a guide for fieldwork and practicum placement.

Upon completion of the School Media Program, combined with New York State requirements including (1) completion of the New York State child abuse, substance abuse, and violence prevention workshops; (2) the Child Health and Life Safety Prevention workshop (fire and arson prevention; highway safety and traffic regulations and school safety patrols; child abduction prevention; and prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse)*; (3) fingerprinting; (4) Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop*; and (5) successful completion of the appropriate New York State certification exams and edTPA, students will have fulfilled all the necessary requirements for certification as a school library media specialist in an elementary or secondary school in New York State. The School of Education, with approval from the School of Information Studies, will recommend a student for a New York State School Media Specialist initial certificate, preK-12, necessary for employment for New York State public schools and accepted for employment by most other states. Students from other states must verify the certification requirements of their own state.

Exit Requirements

IST 972 | 3 CREDITS
Fully supervised and evaluated school-based library experience at the elementary and secondary levels. Includes online seminar. Must meet GPA/program requirements and complete a learning agreement with site supervisor.
Repeatable

American Library Association Accreditation Logo

The American Library Association’s Office of Accreditation regularly reviews library and information programs that wish to be accredited by ALA. Accredited MSLIS programs meet or exceed the Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies, which were established by the Committee on Accreditation (COA) and adopted by ALA Council. The standards address systematic planning; curriculum; faculty; students; administration, finances and resources.

The American Library Association’s Committee on Accreditation has been evaluating LIS programs since 1924. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes the ALA COA as the authority for assessing the quality of education offered by graduate programs in the field of library and information studies.

In order to maintain accreditation, an MSLIS program must submit to a regular process that involves rigorous, ongoing self-evaluation. The results of that evaluation are verified through an external review conducted by the Committee on Accreditation. In addition, every program submits data to ALA on an annual basis and submits regular biennial reports.

ALA 2023 Self-Study Final

The MSLIS program at Syracuse University is accredited by the American Library Association Committee on Accreditation, with the status of Continued accreditation. The next comprehensive review visit is scheduled for Fall 2030.

Our guiding council carefully reviews competencies and course offerings to ensure that the iSchool is a leader in library and information science education, and you can find more information on the guiding council in its bylaws.

Learn More About Our Guiding Council

View detailed information about graduation rates and testing success rates, showing what graduates of our program go on to achieve.

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