The Professional Endorsement in School Librarianship follows the Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians from the American Library Association/American Association of School Librarians (ALA/AASL) and the Virginia Department of Education Licensure Regulations for School Personnel and is approved by the Virginia Department of Education.
The School Librarianship endorsement program is designed for individuals with a valid Virginia Collegiate Professional License or equivalent from another state who want to be eligible to add an endorsement for Library Media preK-12 without obtaining a Master’s degree. Coursework prepares individuals to meet the varied roles required of a school librarian in the 21st century - the roles of instructional partner, teacher, information specialist, leader, and program administrator. The concept of the librarian as a catalyst for academic achievement is emphasized, as is the importance of helping our preK-12 students become critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. Collaboration, leadership, and technology are themes which run throughout the program. Successful completion of this program meets current eligibility requirements for an endorsement as a school librarian in grades preK-12.
Professional Portfolio
All students in the professional endorsement in School Librarianship complete SLIB 691 - Professional Portfolio , as the culminating experience and exit requirement for the program. Students are scaffolded by their advisor throughout the program regarding professional portfolio requirements. During their final semester of enrollment, students are required to develop and present a professional portfolio which documents their mas tery of program standards and highlights their growth throughout the program. Grading is Pass/Not Pass. A student who earns a Not Pass is allowed to retake SLIB 691 once. Should the student earn a second Not Pass, the student will be dismissed from the graduate program.
