The School Librarian Certification program is offered by the Texas Woman's University School of Library and Information Studies, and meets all requirements of the State of Texas State Board of Educator Certification for certification in public schools in Texas.

Additional information regarding the School Librarian Certification program [pdf]

Requirements for the School Library Certificate:

1. Successfully complete a school librarian preparation program
2. Successfully complete the assessments required (TExES)
3. Hold a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education (academic program the degree is from is not specified)
4. Have two school years of classroom teaching experience from a public or accredited private school

Courses required for the MLS leading to the School Librarian Certification:

• LS 5813 Information Professions
• LS 5013 Information Storage and Retrieval
• LS 5143 Technical Services
• LS 5333 School Library Media Center
• LS 5233 Multimedia Materials and Services
• LS 5603 Children's and Young Adult Literature
• LS 5443 Librarians as Instructional Partners
• LS 5103 Cataloging
• LS 5003 Collection Development
• LS 5843 Practicum
• 2 electives

Total: 36 hours

Coursework for the certificate can be completed as part of the Masters of Library Science (MLS). Completion of a practicum or internship may be waived if the student has had comparable and substantial experience in a library or other information environment, to be replaced with an advisor approved elective.

Courses required for the School Librarian Certification only:

For students already holding a master’s degree, coursework can be completed by taking classes required by the preparation program. (TWU requires 24 hours). Students who already hold a masters degree in another field will need to take a minimum of 8 courses (24 hrs) and meet the state certification requirements. These courses are:

• LS 5813 Information Professions
• LS 5603 Literature for Children and Young Adults
• LS 5233 Multimedia Materials and Services
• LS 5333 School Library Media Center
• LS 5443 Librarians as Instructional Partners
• LS 5003 Collection Development
• LS 5103 Cataloging and Classification
• LS 5843 Practicum.

Completion of a practicum or internship may be waived if the student has had comparable and substantial experience in a library or other information environment, to be replaced with LS 5013 Information Storage and Retrieval or LS 5143 Technical Services.

Out-of-State Students Seeking School Library Certification:

A student attending TWU with plans to work as a school librarian in another state should always check with that state to find out its requirements. Different states have different requirements. For a student graduating from TWU with a MLS, having taken the required school library courses, another state might require:

1. Texas School Library Certificate
2. Passing that particular state’s exam for certification
3. Specific course(s) from that state
4. Other

For TWU to recommend a student as a school librarian, that student must have taken the required school library courses. Students in the state of Texas must pass the Texas TExES examination. In order for a student to be given approval to take the TExES exam, the student must first pass a qualifying test offered at TWU with a score of 75 or better. This test is offered both online and face-to-face. TWU is not responsible for the acceptance of its degree or courses by other states.

Options for temporary certification [pdf]

For additional Texas certification information, contact the Office of Student Support at (940) 898-2829 or email lkobler@twu.edu.