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Qualifications
To qualify for careers in school library media centers, students require preparation in two professional fields: librarianship and education.
No teaching license? The iSchool is unable to offer the school library pathway for students without a prior teaching license. Students who need more information about how to obtain a valid Wisconsin teaching license should contact Kelly Hayek at the UW School of Education Teacher Education Center (TEC).
To learn more about teaching license pathways in Wisconsin, visit the Department of Public Instruction’s website. For teachers from other countries, learn more here.
Pathways
Active teaching license
Wisconsin resident
Complete the MA in Library and Information Studies following a prescribed curriculum. Upon completion they may apply for a Wisconsin Library Media Specialist License.
Active teaching license
Non-Wisconsin resident
The iSchool school library curriculum is designed to meet license requirements in Wisconsin. Students who wish to work in school libraries in other states are responsible for contacting their state’s education agencies to determine requirements. See the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) State-by-State Information page.
Requirements
The MA planning guide for school library media outlines the prescribed curriculum for students with a current teaching license living in Wisconsin. Students who wish to apply for licensure through UW-Madison must declare interest in the School Library Media program with the iSchool as early in their iSchool program as possible by filling out this survey form. Students must consult with the iSchool school media advisor listed on the declaration form in order to plan courses.
To demonstrate library content mastery, students must receive at least a B (3.0) on ALL iSchool coursework. After successful completion of the prescribed school library media coursework, students with a teaching license are considered to have met the Wisconsin Library Media Specialist Licensure Program Content standards.
Licensure
After completing the required coursework, complete the following steps for licensure:
- Students email Rebekah Willett with a simple request for endorsement that includes your final completed C&I 620 Field Project Agreement form as an attachment. Dr. Willett will have a record of your courses, because you must have already consulted with her during your iSchool program.
- Rebekah Willett will notify the UW-Madison educator licensing department (educatorlicensing@education.wisc.edu) if you have met all requirements for the 1902 Wisconsin Library Media Specialist License.
- Students must fill out this License Endorsement Request form for the UW-Madison educator licensing department. The form will ask for your program (MA in Library and Information Studies, School Library Media program) and license (1902 Wisconsin Library Media Specialist License add-on).