School Media, CAS

Contact:

Jill Hurst-Wahl, Program Director, 208 Hinds Hall, (315) 443-1070, igrad@syr.edu

Website:

CAS in School Media

Overview:

Students who already possess a master’s degree in library and information science from Syracuse University, or another accredited institution, can be certified as school library media specialists after being accepted into the program and then by completing the following coursework. Students must first undergo a thorough review of their graduate library science degree transcript to determine if the core graduate course requirements and the undergraduate course requirements have been fulfilled. If all requirements have not been met, additional courses will be required.

The program is presented in both campus-based and distance learning course formats.

Curriculum:

The graduate certificate in school media requires the completion of 21 total credits.

I. Core Courses (18 credits)

The following required courses provide a foundation in literature, media services instructional design, assessment and evaluation, teaching methods, reading support services, collaboration, information technologies in education, information literacy, and motivation.

IST 564 - Library & Information Services to Students with Disabilities 3 credit(s)
IST 611 - Information Technologies in Educational Organizations 3 credit(s)
IST 612 - Youth Services in Libraries and Information Centers 3 credit(s)
IST 661 - Managing a School Library 3 credit(s)
IST 663 - Motivating 21st Century Learning in School Libraries 3 credit(s)
IST 668 - Literacy Through School Libraries 3 credit(s)

II. Fieldwork (100 hours, 50 hours on each level)

Fieldwork in both elementary and secondary levels must be completed before the first practicum experience. A minimum of 15 hours must be with students with special needs.

III. 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 (120 hours each).

IST 972 - School Media Practicum 1-6 credit(s)

IV. Additional Requirements

Students must complete the school media program competencies checklist at the beginning of the program and at other designated times during the program. This instrument is used as a means for documenting a student’s progress and growth and as a guide for practicum placement.

Near or at the end of their program, school media students are required to complete New York State requirements including the series of New York State workshops on child abuse, substance abuse, and violence prevention and Child Health and Life Safety Prevention (including fire and arson prevention; highway safety and traffic regulations and school safety patrols; child abduction prevention; and prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse), fingerprinting, Dignity for All Students (DASA) workshop, and successful completion of the appropriate New York State certification exams. Once all of the requirements have been completed, students will have met all requirements for certification as a school library media specialist at the elementary and secondary levels. Syracuse University’s School of Education, with approval from the School of Information Studies, will provide institutional recommendation for a New York State School Media Specialist initial certificate, preK-12, necessary for employment in New York State public schools and accepted for employment by most other states.