School Library Media Certification

School library media specialist certification may be different from one state department of education to another. The SLIS program of studies leading to certification is recognized as meeting the standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Graduates who have completed this approved program are eligible for certification in South Carolina and any other state which recognizes NCATE standards. Those who want that certification should be sure that they get their program approved by the School Library Media Program Coordinator as early in the program as possible.

The School Media Checklist program of study is required to plan your course of study. The general requirements for NCATE at SLIS are 18 semester hours of foundations in library and information science, 12 semester hours of educational foundations or current certification in some other discipline in education, and 12-18 semester hours of courses related specifically to school library media programs. Those who want certification in South Carolina must take the Special Area of the PRAXIS, but do not have to take either the General Knowledge or Professional Knowledge area. Many other states do require other parts of the NTE, so those considering employment in other states should contact the state department of education in those states as early in their program as possible.

A one-time fee of $173 for initial certification or $65 add-on certification is required by the University for all recommendations for certification regardless of the state in which the individual is applying for certification. A person may request that recommendations be sent to any number of states at any time after paying this fee.