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Program Overview

Currently accepting applications Apply now >> Next program starts: Summer 2008 Program location: Online + Classroom (UW campus, Seattle) Combined Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>

At the University of Washington, we are committed to providing the very best to fulfill the mission of library media programs, to ensure that students are effective users of ideas and information. ~Dr. Mike Eisenberg, Dean Emeritus, UW Information School As a School Library Professional, you will be responsible for meeting students’ information needs and acting as an instructional partner with classroom teachers. ~Harry Bruce, Dean, UW Information School.

The Certificate Program for the School Library Professional, a five-quarter graduate-level program, prepares K-12 educators to develop and facilitate a successful school library media program. Participants learn to establish information-rich learning environments to help students become effective creators, critical users and communicators of ideas and information.

Participants learn how to help students:

• Access information for their learning and personal needs
• Read diverse materials for a variety of purposes
• Derive meaning from many resources
• Communicate ideas and understanding to others

Working with teaching staff, participants acquire skills to:

• Integrate instructional technologies
• Engage in professional development
• Collaboratively plan and teach resource-based learning

Participants also work with community members to:

• Use the library media center and perceive it as a unifying resource and clearinghouse for information

The UW Certificate Program for the School Library Professional integrates a variety of field activities within a coherent, comprehensive course of study that focuses on collaboration and mentoring. This program meets the requirements for the Library Media Endorsement (Washington) and the School Library Endorsement (Alaska).

The program is based on guidelines established by the American Association of School Librarians, the Washington Library Media Association, and the Alaska Association of School Librarians.

The UW Information School has approved the program. Courses are graduate-level credit which may be applied to degree programs.

Program Structure

The 25 graduate-level credits required for successful completion are earned over five quarters. Participants take courses on the UW campus, Seattle, for two weeks each summer, and online courses during the school year. Internet access and e-mail are needed to complete the online courses.

Coursework includes:

• Development of a professional growth plan
• Mentored guidance during field activities

What Program Graduates Are Saying

"We formed powerful friendships and professional collaborators within our group. These are people I still use as resources for my work."

Karen Grey-Levine Anchorage, AK

"After completing the School Library Media Professional Certificate Program, I knew right where to jump in and begin making a difference right away."

Sara Strobin Olympia, WA

"I appreciated the instructors' insight and experience and the fact that I could complete the program in a year. "

Sarah Hertlein Sumner, WA

Related UW Information School Master's Program

The goal of the Master of Library and Information Science degree program is to prepare participants for a variety of professional information-related positions in libraries and other environments. Admission to the on-campus or distance graduate degree program is competitive. For further information, call the UW Information School at 206-543-1794, or see www.ischool.washington.edu.

How Online Learning Works

Some classes in this certificate program are delivered online via the World Wide Web, which means you don't need to come to campus for those courses: You can study from anywhere. To access your course materials, you'll simply log on to the Internet. You'll use e-mail and online discussion boards to communicate with your instructors and other students. Just like in a classroom course, in these "group-start" online courses, students begin each course at the same time and work through the coursework together. To participate, you'll need a computer with access to the Web (see technology requirements). After you are accepted and enrolled in a course, you will be mailed instructions on how to access your online classes.

Contact a Program Representative

To learn more about this program, please call 206-685-8936 in the greater Seattle area, or 1-800-506-1325 and press zero, or e-mail us.