Are you a teacher wanting to expand your career?   

Become a library media specialist through Missouri State University’s new library media specialist graduate certificate. 

“Library media specialists have several responsibilities in school libraries,” said Dr. Stephanie Huffman, head of the reading, foundations and technology Department at Missouri State.  

“They work with teachers and administrators to build strong curriculums. They also work with students on literacy, recreational reading and information literacy.” 

Library media specialists are also responsible for organizing the library and ordering books based on curriculum and budget.  

Throughout the program, teachers will learn these technical skills and explore the ethical aspect of managing a library. 

The first cohort will begin classes in January 2023. 

Apply for the graduate certificate 

What you’ll learn in the program 

The coursework for the certificate includes a combination of lectures and cooperative learning activities, as well as field activities. 

“The program gives teachers a foundational understanding of library and information science, and how it works with the curriculum at the schools,” said Crystal Dicke, program director and associate professor of library science at Missouri State.  

These skills will help teachers throughout their career.  

“The program is beneficial for all teachers to look into because it builds strong literacy and technology skills essential for any teacher,” Huffman said.  

“Teachers can embed these skills within the classroom, so the certificate is worthwhile even without working as a library media specialist.” 

Qualifications 

The program is for certified teachers who want to become certified library media specialists in K-12 schools.  

Those who are interested in the career change and are not certified teachers must obtain a certification in teaching before applying for the graduate certificate program.  

To obtain the graduate certificate, teachers must complete four three-credit hour courses and pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) test. The program is fully online and can be completed in one year or two semesters.  

Teachers may apply the course credits from the graduate certificate toward a master’s degree in education technology or to other graduate degree programs in the university.  

Students must meet the graduate certificate admission requirements to qualify for the program. 

Learn more about the certificate