Simmons offers two post-Master's degree programs for School Library Teacher Licensure.
All students admitted to the post-master's program receive a 50% discount off current Simmons tuition.
*Before starting the program, we advise students who hold a professional level license to have a review conducted by the DESE of the standards the DESE expects them to fulfill to be able to add this license. Their coursework will be based on the results of this review. Those with a professional level license must take their completed coursework to the DESE on their own; they will not be endorsed by Simmons.
For Library Science Master's Degree Holders
The following curriculum is for people who hold a Master's degree in Library and Information Science and who are now seeking licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School Library Teacher.
The courses listed below are required as a part of the licensure. (If the student has taken them in his/her Master's in Library Science degree program and received a grade of B or higher, the applicant will not be required to take them over again.) The courses the student needs to take will be determined by the Director of the School Library Teacher Program through an analysis of the student's transcript(s). Please see the Admission process for details about when this analysis will occur.
Required for Licensure
| LIS 406 | Management and Evaluation of School Library Programs | 3 |
| LIS 407 | Information Sources & Services | 3 |
| LIS 415 | Information Organization | 3 |
| LIS 459 | Fundamentals of School Librarianship | 3 |
| LIS 460 | Technology and the School Library Teacher | 3 |
| LIS 461 | Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for the School Library Teacher | 3 |
| LIS 481 | Library Collections and Materials for Children | 3 |
| LIS 483 | Library Collections and Materials for Young Adults | 3 |
| LIS 498 | Practicum (PreK-8) | 3 |
| LIS 499 | Practicum (7-12) | 3 |
Students must complete their field-based pre-practicum experiences (fieldwork) before they can begin their practicum experience. Students are introduced to fieldwork in an introductory course (LIS 406), in which they will observe in public school libraries to achieve some fieldwork credit. Additionally, three other courses (LIS 459, LIS 481, and LIS 483) required for SLTP students incorporate assignments and experiences involving fieldwork.
There are specific assignments for each field-based experience. These projects are outlined in the School Library Teacher Handbook, which the student will receive at the beginning of their program. If you have questions about an assignment, please consult with your course instructor for answers and further direction. Fieldwork projects must be completed in a public school library in Massachusetts. At the discretion of the program director, other courses or experiences can be substituted for part of this requirement.
A candidate may substitute LIS 495: Practicum Equivalent Experience (pre K - 12) for one of the practica if the candidate has been hired as the professional school library teacher of record. Arrangements for LIS 495 are made with the program director.
Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
Before students are allowed to complete their practicum experiences, they will need to pass the Communication and Literacy Skills Test of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). This test is administered in various places but only in Massachusetts. You can obtain further information at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
For Education Degree Holders
The following curriculum is for teachers who currently hold a Master's Degree in education and an initial or professional Massachusetts License as a teacher, a Master of Arts degree in teaching, or a Master's degree in a related field along with an initial or professional Massachusetts Teacher Licensure. At the time of application for the School Library Teacher License you must have a minimum of three years of teaching experience in a Massachusetts public school.
Those with a Master's in Education who hold an initial license will be endorsed by Simmons to receive the license as a school library teacher after completion of the necessary coursework. Those with a professional level license must take their completed coursework to the DESE on their own; they will not be endorsed by Simmons.
Course List
In addition to the requirements above, the courses listed below will prepare students to become licensed as school library teachers in Massachusetts.
| LIS 406 | Management and Evaluation of School Library Programs | 3 |
| LIS 407 | Information Sources & Services | 3 |
| LIS 415 | Information Organization | 3 |
| LIS 460 | Technology and the School Library Teacher | 3 |
| LIS 461 | Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for the School Library Teacher | 3 |
| LIS 481 | Library Collections and Materials for Children | 3 |
| LIS 483 | Library Collections and Materials for Young Adults | 3 |
Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
If the student's prior teaching license did not require him/her to take and pass the Communication and Literacy Skills Test of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), he/she will be required to do that prior to applying for the school library teacher license.