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Graduate School of Library and Information Studies

Admission to the School Library Media Specialist Program

The GSLIS offers a Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree with a specialization in school library media, which leads to eligibility for teacher students readingcertification through the Rhode Island Department of Education. Admission to candidacy for certification is a four-step process:

  1. Admission to the general MLIS program
  2. Successful completion of coursework required for SLM certification
  3. Readiness assessment and admission to certification candidacy
  4. Exit certification assessment

Step One: Admission to the General MLIS Program

For provisional admission to the School Library Media Specialist program, candidates for certification must first apply for admission to the MLIS program, following the general guidelines with the following additions:

  • In accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Education, each candidate is required to submit a statement of objectives that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of Rhode Island Professional Teacher Standards.
  • When submitting the Graduate School Application form, candidates who wish to apply for provisional admittance to the MLIS school library media program should indicate "Library and Info Studies - MLIS" as Plan Descriptor and "School Library Media" as Subplan Descriptor.


Step Two: Coursework required for school library media candidates

Upon acceptance to the MLIS school library media program or TCP program, each candidate must complete an official Program of Study in consultation with his or her advisor. As a provisional school library media candidates, students are required to complete a prescribed course of studies, including:

Fifteen (15) hours of core courses

  • LSC 502: Management of Library and Information Sources
  • LSC 504: Reference & Information Services
  • LSC 505: Organization of Information
  • LSC 508: Introduction to Information Science & Technology
  • LSC 557: Research and Evaluation in Library and Information Science


Six (6) hours of literature courses

  • LSC 530: Reading Interests of Children, and
  • LSC 531: Reading Interests of Young Adults


A three (3) hour media course

  • LSC 528 Media in the Library, or
  • LSC 529 Theory and Production of Library Media


A three (3) hour administration/instruction course

  • LSC 520: School Library Media Services (must be taken in the summer or fall prior to practicum)


Nine (9) hour supervised field experience

  • LSC 596 School Library Media Practicum and Seminar (to be taken in the final spring semester) 150 hours/5 weeks in an Elementary School and 150 hours/5 weeks in a Secondary School.


Six (6) hours of electives including ED503 or an education/instruction equivalent approved by the advisor.*

*All students who are not certified in elementary or secondary education will be required to take EDC 503 - Education in Contemporary Society, offered by the URI School of Education, or an equivalent education/instruction course approved by the advisor.

Steps Three and Four: Assessment

http://www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/Academics/SLM/admslmp2.html