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School Librarianship, M.S.

McDaniel’s Master’s in School Librarianship (SLM) is a highly respected, nationally ranked, and fully accredited program that equips outstanding teachers, instructional leaders, and administrators of school library centers.

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Degree Types
Master's
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Program Cost
$552 per credit
Key
Format
Online
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Total credits
36

About the Program

The online SLM at McDaniel was designed for educators who are ready to take the next step in their careers. The comprehensive program offers courses in:

  • Literature for children and young adults
  • Technology
  • Information literacy skills
  • Selecting quality materials that meet the needs of diverse learners
  • Administrating a school library which provides access for all

Why McDaniel for School Librarianship

We’ve designed our program to ensure it meets your career and life needs.

  • Certification. The SLM meets Maryland State Department of Education requirements for certification as a Library Media Specialist and is recognized by the Pennsylvania State Department of Education.
  • Convenience. The program is offered 100% online.
  • Experience that counts. The required practicum places you in a school library where you can apply your coursework in a real-world setting.

What You Need to Know About the M.S. in School Librarianship

Admissions Requirements

Candidates must submit the following documentation:

  • Application for graduate study
  • Official transcripts conferring bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution
  • Current and valid teaching certificate such as Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary or related fields; OR MSDE qualifying scores for the Praxis Core Exam, SAT, GRE, or ACT
  • An essay of approximately 250 words describing the applicant’s professional goals as they relate to the SLM professional roles as leader, teacher, and information specialist as identified by the American Association of School Librarians
  • Three completed reference forms with at least one from the applicant’s principal
  • Resume

*Based on MSDE COMAR rules for Library Media Specialist certification, applicants not holding teaching certification must take a minimum of twelve credit hours in education at the undergraduate or graduate level prior to beginning the SLM program.  For help in selecting the required education courses, contact the program coordinator, Dr. Ramona Kerby before enrolling in them.

Degree Requirements

  • Successful completion of required 36 credit hours
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Professional digital portfolio
  • 99-hour internship in a school library

State Authorization & Professional Licensure

Program & Course Details

School Librarianship Catalog

Find Out More

Discover more about this program and others at one of our monthly, virtual open houses!  

Register

Apply

This program begins in Fall, Spring, and Summer. 

Start Your Application

Program Coordinator

Dr. Mona Kerby

rkerby@mcdaniel.edu 

410-857-2507

Request More Info
Scholarships will be awarded from $1,000 to a value of up to full tuition annually through the Carolyn D. McGolerick Scholarship Fund.

Scholarship Opportunity Scholarship named for alumna now available for McDaniel Graduate students pursuing a Master’s in School Librarianship

The Carolyn D. McGolerick Scholarship is now available for McDaniel College graduate students pursuing a School Librarianship master’s degree in partnership with The Community Foundation of Frederick County. The scholarship is named for a 1971 McDaniel (formerly Western Maryland) College alumna, Carolyn D. McGolerick, who served as a librarian at Fort Detrick and at St. John’s School in Emmitsburg, Md.

Read "Scholarship named for alumna now available for McDaniel Graduate students pursuing a Master’s in School Librarianship"

Special Opportunities

Student reading to a classroom full of elementary school children.

Guaranteed Experience

All SLM students complete a 99-hour practicum in a school library getting hands-on, real-world experience. The practicum is designed for full-time teachers.

When I think of a quality preparation program for school librarians, McDaniel without a doubt tops the list. As a graduate of the program I can attest to the fact that the assignments I completed throughout the program were thoughtfully designed to ensure that each one was purposeful and applicable to the job in the real world. The librarians I work with who have also been through the program are some of the most highly qualified school librarians I know. They are knowledgeable, dedicated, unafraid of asking questions, and willing to grow and take risks in order to do what’s best for their students. There are tons of library programs out there, but it is the fact that McDaniel focuses in on the school library side of things that makes it so unique. McDaniel strives to instill a passion for the profession in its students.
—Dedra Van Gelder ’07, Instructional Specialist - Library Media, Charles County

Certification and Reputation

McDaniel’s SLM program is respected, highly ranked and accredited.

  • Master’s degree is nationally recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).
  • Master’s degree is a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) approved program leading to certification as a Maryland Library Media Specialist.

McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Master of Science in School Librarianship program has been awarded initial accreditation status by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.

Official seal of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)

Advancing Your Career

The SLM program prepares candidates to become PK–12 instructional leaders, information specialists, and outstanding library administrators. Graduates of the program have gone on to fill a variety of professional roles, including:

  • School Library Media Specialists within K-12 public and private school settings
  • District Library Media Supervisors
  • Presenters at state and national conferences
Kethryn Berling wears a striped blouse and holds a plaque that reads 2024 Maryland School Librarian of the Year.

Kathryn Berling M.S. '07 Named 2024 Maryland School Librarian of the Year

Kathryn Berling M.S. '07 was named 2024 Maryland School Librarian of the Year by the Maryland Association of School Librarians. Berling earned a master's degree in School Library Media in McDaniel's School Librarianship program, and is the current library media specialist at Taneytown Elementary School. 

Two other McDaniel School Librarianship alums were among the finalists: Lindsey Weaver M.S. '13 of West Frederick Middle and Christina Zimmerman M.S. '20 of Monarch Global Academy. Eight others were among the nominees: Anita Creek M.S. ’07, Heather Beaton M.S. ’18, Stacey Hazuda M.S. ’00, Laurie Owings M.S. ’99, Melaney Sanchez M.S. ’99, Lynn Wilcox M.S. ’19, Beau Williams M.S. ’20, and Rachael Younkers M.S. ’98.

Brittany Powers, Brandy Taylor and Gina Payne Deal, alumnae of McDaniel's master's in School Librarianship program, are pictured with Mona Kerby.

Graduate Professor and Coordinator Mona Kerby named a national service award recipient for her contribution to school librarianship

Mona Kerby, the L. Stanley Bowlsbey Endowed Chair at McDaniel College, has been named the recipient of the 2020 American Association of School Librarians’ Distinguished Service Award. Kerby coordinates the School Librarianship program and also serves as coordinator of the Writing for Children and Young Adults and Learning Technologies Specialist certificate programs.

Read about Kerby's national recognition.
Master's alumna Kim Johnson, Maryland School Librarian of the Year

School Librarianship graduate named Maryland School Librarian of the Year

Kim Johnson, media specialist at South Carroll High School, has been named the 2017 Maryland School Librarian of the Year by the Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL) for her exemplary service and outstanding achievements in the field of school library media. “I felt more than prepared to begin working as a media specialist when I started at South Carroll four years ago,” says Johnson. “Many of the classes at McDaniel, especially Young Adult Literature, Learning Technologies and the Portfolio helped solidify the knowledge that I had made the right choice about my career.”

Read about the accomplishment.

Related Programs

Learning Technologies Specialist Certificate Innovations in Teaching and Learning (formerly Curriculum & Instruction) Reading Specialist: Literacy Leadership, M.S.

Find Out More

Discover more about this program and others at one of our monthly, virtual open houses!  

Register

Apply

This program begins in Fall, Spring, and Summer. 

Start Your Application

Program Coordinator

Dr. Mona Kerby

rkerby@mcdaniel.edu 

410-857-2507

Request More Info
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