School Librarian Certification

School librarians are an important part of the P-12 learning environment. They develop and deliver student-centered library programs and facilities, fulfilling leadership roles in reading and literacy development, instruction, integration of technology, school library management, collaboration with teachers, and engagement with the educational community.

School Librarian Certification requirements vary from state to state (see this page for School Library Certificate by State) but completion of the required sequence of courses listed below has been acceptable to meet the course requirements generally in all states. 

In Texas, the requirements to work as a school librarian follow:

  1. Two years as an early childhood-12th-grade classroom teacher in a public or accredited private school.
  2. A master's degree—in most any area.
  3. Completion of a state-approved program in school librarianship. Courses taken from the list below must be no more than five years old when an application is made for the school librarian certificate.
  4. Passing score on the TExES School Librarian Certification exam, administered by the State of Texas. 

Note: If you are applying for the M.S. and School Librarian Certification, you must choose your major (Library Science or Information Science), and in the Educational Background portion of the ApplyTexas application, indicate "School Librarian Certification" as the Area of Interest. For questions about the application process, email ci-admissions@unt.edu.


SLC Courses in Required Sequence

A grade of B or better in all courses is required for certification. Courses include the following:

  1. INFO 5001 - School Librarianship
  2. INFO 5720 - Instructional Materials Production and Use
    Pre or Co-requisite: INFO 5001
  3. INFO 5208 - Learning Resources Organization and Media
    Pre or Co-requisite: INFO 5001
  4. INFO 5405 - Collection Development and Analysis in School Libraries
    Pre-requisite: INFO 5001
  5. INFO 5420 - Literature for Youth
    Pre-requisite: INFO 5001
  6. INFO 5050 - Trends and Practices in School Librarianship
    Pre-requisite: INFO 5208
  7. INFO 5340 - Learning Resource Centers and Services
    Pre or Co-requisites: INFO 5050
  8. INFO 5345 - School Library Program Development 
    Pre or Co-requisite: INFO 5340
  9. INFO 5090.300 OR INFO 5090.430 (starting fall 2024) - Should be taken in graduating semester. 
    Pre or Co-requisite: INFO 5345

School Librarian Certification Program Faculty  

  Dr. Smith Dr. Barbara Schultz-Jones Dr. Tricia Kuon


 

Daniella Smith 
 Professor

Barbara Schultz-Jones
Professor & Associate Chair

Tricia Kuon
Lecturer