MA, Information and Learning Technologies
School Library and Instructional Leadership
The role of the school librarian is changing. As "information technologists," "knowledge managers" and "research specialists," teacher librarians come face-to-face with what the information age actually means. The UC Denver School Library Program is a nationally-recognized NCATE-AASL Revised & Approved School Library Media Education Program that leads to Colorado State endorsement for school librarians. The degree will prepare you with the knowledge-management skills and information access points you need to help students achieve and succeed.
In your courses, you will learn about integrating information and learning strategies, school library management, collection development, collaborative planning, instructional design, and instructional leadership. You'll experience resource-based learning that is immediately applicable to your work. You will complete the program with a portfolio of your work and practical ideas for your library. The portfolio offers you the opportunity to bring your many projects and products together in an attractive way for prospective employers.
Our program fits your schedule and your lifestyle. You have the option of taking school library courses online, on campus, in a group cohort that meets monthly at convenient locations near you. All courses are taught by real school librarians with real school library and leadership experience. Award-winning faculty teaching in the UC Denver School Library and Instructional Leadership Program is committed to offering classes that serve the needs of today's graduate student.
To complete the School Library program, you will need regular access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection, either at home or a convenient work location. Faculty, staff and students are required to use e-mail; and, web-based applications like eCollege are used to complete work in all courses. For more information, visit CU Online's technical requirements page.
For additional information, contact a student advisor at Hans.Broers@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-6300.
This master's program requires the successful completion of 36 semester hours, including successful completion of a product portfolio as your capstone. You won't have a comprehensive exam or a master's thesis. You will complete 2 practicum assignments (80 hours over the course of 2 years) in secondary and elementary school libraries to give you real hands-on experience. You will be able to select additional competencies of your choice by adding elective courses and project hours, depending on your specific needs and interests. The competencies, field work, and course products are then demonstrated in your professional portfolio. To complete your coursework, you will need regular access to a computer and high-speed Internet.
Although highly desired, students do not need a teaching certificate to enter the program. Please consult your school, district, and state guidelines for actual requirements for school and teacher librarians. (Many districts and states offer teacher in residence programs and other paths to teacher endorsement.) Colorado has reciprocal teaching agreements with 45 states to facilitate intrastate certification.
Application requirements
Successful completion of the MA degree requires a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours. An endorsement that is accepted in most states requires 28 hours of successfully completed courses.
Detailed course requirements
Course requirements if you obtained a teaching license through UC Denver's Graduate Teacher Education
Our students go on to work as:
School librarians
Teacher librarians
Library technology educators
Library consultants
Library media specialists
Educational Technology/Information Literacy teachers
Technology teachers
Staff developers
District administrators
University instructors
and many more...