1. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher;
2. Three reference forms approved by the coordinator; these must be written by your principal, assistant principal, and school district supervisor;
3. A Praxis I score that meets MSDE acceptance level.
   

This web page supplements the other information you'll find at McDaniel's Graduate & Professional Studies, Graduate Catalog, and the School Library  You'll want to refer to all of them.

After you've reviewed all these materials and you have additional questions, please send me an email at rkerby@mcdaniel.edu or call me at 410-857-2507. 

Our program is accredited and nationally recognized by the American Library Association/American Association of School Librarians (ALA/AASL) and National Council of Accreditation for Teachers (NCATE).  Our coursework is aligned to these standards.

To make sure that this is a good decision for you, chat with a school librarian.  Study the information at the AASL site at http://www.ala.org/aasl .

You'll also want to examine the following:

• McDaniel College School Librarianship Program
• The COMAR governmental regulations for the certification of a School Library Media Specialist in Maryland and the MSDE standards for school library media centers. 
• Professional Dispositions for School Library Media Specialists Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science at http://lu.com/odlis/
  
• Mona Kerby For Librarians' Page at monakerby.com and http://monakerby.com/for_librarians.html

On the application, you'll be asked to write a brief paragraph to explain why you want to pursue this degree. I'll expect to see in your answer that you've examined the professional resources above and that you've chatted with several school librarians.

If you do enroll, then:

• Purchase: Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs. Chicago: ALA/AASL, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8389-8519-9. $39.00. Standards for the 21st-Century Learner. Chicago: ALA/AASL, 2007. ISBN $14.95. Standards for the 21st-Century Learner in Action. Chicago: ALA/AASL, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8389-8507-6. $39.00.
• Join our professional organizations at the state and national level. These include Maryland Association of School Librarians or Pennsylvania Association of School Librarians, the American Library Association, the Association of School Librarians, and the Association of Library Service to Children. Many offer an inexpensive rate for graduate students.
• Begin subscribing to journals such as School Library Journal, Library Media Connection, and School Library Media Activities Monthly.Investigate cheaper rates for graduate students. OR, learn how to access these free via your college library account. Most importantly, save copies of your membership fees, conference handouts, professional journals as you'll be using them when you prepare your professional portfolio in your final course.

• history and philosophy of education
• student developmental levels, learning theory, and strategies for identifying student information and learning needs
• theories, principles, and methods of instructional design and delivery
• inclusion of special needs student populations

• EDU 580: Learning and Teaching
• EDU 581: Linking Instruction and Assessment
• EDU 592 or EDU 593 Field Experience (If you are not employed in a school, then you must register for these courses.  If you are presently employed in a school then you are exempt.)
• SED 572: Issues in Inclusive Education (or PSY 510: Psychology of Exceptionality)
• RDG 524 Materials for Balanced Reading Instruction (elem) or RDG 532 Reading in Content Areas: Part I (secondary level)

Please take the education courses in the first half of your program.  We're assuming you know how to teach when you take your school library courses.  If you take courses at another school, remember to have an official transcript sent to our Graduate Registrar, Sheila Deane.  (sdeane@mcdaniel.edu).

McDaniel College also adheres to a Conceptual Framework for all courses and program in our educational unit.  Here is a Powerpoint presentation that explains it.  Briefly stated, our Conceptual Framework is Knowledge, Diversity, Professional Dispositions, and Reflection, Communication, and Technology. You will be demonstrating all these terms in your coursework. 

Computer and Software: You really need a new computer and up to date software at home. Buy a web cam, or digi cam, and it's a good idea to get a headset and microphone. Use the latest version of Microsoft Office.   For a browser, use Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.  To decide on what computer to buy, search the online consumer reports for recommendations.  As a teacher or college student, you can get a discount on software.  Call the college bookstore for details.

McDaniel College Honor Code:  You'll receive the Honor Code booklet from Graduate Admissions.  Here is a link to the information on the college website concerning the Honor Code.  It is your responsibility to uphold it. The following is a link to a ten-minute interactive tutorial from Acadia University designed to teach students the basics of avoiding plagiarism by learning why, when, and how to cite information sources: http://library.acadiau.ca/tutorials/plagiarism/ .

Professional Dispositions:  The way you conduct yourself is essential in your success as a graduate candidate. Please know that instructors will be making judgments on your behavior. Here is a link to the form they must complete.

Your course work reflects the 2010 ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians.  In your final semester, you'll create a digital portfolio using these standards and displaying the projects/lessons/assignments you have completed in your coursework.  Click here for the standards.

To give you an idea of course requirements, click here.
SLM:  501   Administration and Leadership
SLM:  502   Organization and Access
SLM:  503   Literature for Children  (Quick Reading List, Newbery List, Caldecott List)  Take this class first with me! 
SLM:  504   Literature for Young Adults (Quick Reading List)
SLM:  505   Information Sources
SLM:  506   Collection Development Take this class second. 
SLM:  508   Learning Technologies
SLM:  509   Instructional Collaboration Take this class third.
RSM: 541    School Library Action Research
SLM:  550   Professional Portfolio  Take this and the Internship together at the very end--or take internship first
SLM:  552/553   Practicum and Practicum Application and Practicum Information
                  MCPS employees must also complete this pdf form . 

• First courses to take:  SLM 503, SLM 509, SLM 505
• Second set of courses to take:  SLM 506, SLM 508, RSM 541
  
• Third set of courses:  SLM 504, your elective
• Fourth set of courses:  SLM 501, SLM 502, your internship, and your professional portfolio. Your internship and your professional portfolio MUST be in your last semester, not earlier.
  

If you are seeking PA certification, you'll need to take an exit Praxis exam in school librarianship.  Either your district or your state department will give you the instructions.

After you graduate, continue professional growth opportunities.  In a few years, please consider seeking National Board Certification as a Library Media Specialist.  Here are two links with information:  AASL and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. 

And--keep me posted on your successes.  Your chosen profession has the power to change lives. 

SLM Alumni Stars

Mike Stencil, Using Video to Improve Character, Behavior, and Climate.  Library Media Connection.  August/September 2012.