What we do:
The Library Media Specialist program prepares students for NYS teacher certification in the area of Library Media Specialist (LMS).   Our  graduates obtain wonderful positions as school librarians in both public and private schools in the New York metropolitan area.  
Who we are:
LMS are in the forefront of nurturing student learning and teaching skills of information literacy. They manage a program that is integral to the school learning community. LMS are instructional partners, teachers, information specialists, and program administrators. From reading aloud to research, the LMS is a champion of literacy and life-long learning.
Student options for certification:
Students matriculated in the MSLIS degree program can choose to take this 32-credit track as part of their 36-credit degree. Students who have already completed their MSLIS degree and wish to complete the LMS track can take the Advanced Certificate in LMS.

• Application, interview and approval by the Coordinator of the School Library Media Programs and the Dean. This application is separate and in addition to the application for admission to the Graduate School of Information and Library Science. Applicants will be required to compose a writing sample at the time of interview.  If there are questions about an applicant's academic achievement, the GRE or a state exam related to teacher certification my be required for admission.
• Pedagogical core in Education. Students who already hold NYS teacher certification or who hold a degree from a certified institute of higher education with a major in Education may already satisfy this requirement. Students who are deficit in this area may be provisionally accepted into the program and will be required to take a specified pedagogical core of Education courses. (see below)
• Liberal Arts and Science Requirement as per NYSED. Students who are deficit in this area may be provisionally accepted into the program and will be required to take remedial coursework at a certified institution of higher education and present transcripts of successful completion to fulfill this requirement (see below).
• Required coursework (see below)
• Required field hours and student teaching (see below)
• Workshop in Child Abuse Identification
• Workshop in Violence Prevention
• Workshop in Fire and Life Safety
• Fingerprinting
• Passing scores on NYS Teacher Certification Examinations: Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), and the Content Specialty Test in LMS (CST

REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR COMPLETION OF MSLIS LMS TRACK

Core Courses in LIS

• LIS 651 - Introduction to Information Professions (includes 3 hours of field observation in a school library media center) - 3 credits
• LIS 652 - Information Services and Resources (includes 6 hours of field observation in a school library media center) - 3 credits
• LIS 653 - Knowledge Organization (includes 3 hours of field observation in a school library media center) - 3 credits
• LIS 654 - Information Technologies (includes 3 hours of field observation in a school library media center) - 3 credits

Required Courses in Library Media Specialist

• LIS 648 - Library Media Centers (includes approximately 21.25 hrs. field observation in a school library media center)
• LIS 676 - Literature and Literacy for Children (includes approximately 21.25 hrs. field observation in a school library media center)
• LIS 677 - Literature and Literacy for Young Adults (includes approximately 21.25 hrs. field observation in a school library media center)
• LIS 680 - Instructional Technology (includes approximately 21.25 hrs. field observation in a school library media center)
• LIS 690 - Student Teaching I - Grades 1-6 (20 full days in NYC)
• LIS 692 - Student Teaching II - Grades 7-12 (20 full days in NYC

100 hours of field observation in school library media centers plus 40 full days of student teaching are required (20 elementary and 20 secondary). Student teaching is conducted in the fall or spring terms in New York City under the supervision of certified school library media specialists. Field hours and student teaching must be completed, documented, and submitted to the Coordinator in order to graduate.

Annual School Library Media Day celebration at a New York City middle school.  
Librarian, Susan Hess; photographer, Sam Hess.

NYS requires a firm background in Liberal Arts and Sciences for all certified teachers. Upon application to the program, students must provide proof via transcripts of at least one three credits course in each of the following: Artistic Expression, Communication, History, Social Sciences, Humanities, Science, Mathematics, and Writing. Students must also provide proof via transcript of at least six credits in a language other than English.

PEDAGOGICAL CORE

NYS requires a pedagogical core of education course. This requirement is satisfied at Pratt Institute.

Required courses:

• ED 600 Advanced Studies in the History and Philosophy of Education – 3 credits
• ED 606 Advanced Studies in American Education - 3 credits
• ED 610 Child and Adolescent Development – 3 credits

Contact information:
Students interested in a Library Media Specialist concentration should contact:

Professor Jessica Lee Hochman
Coordinator of the Library Media Specialist Programs
School of Information & Library Science
Pratt Institute
144 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011

email: jhochman@pratt.edu