School Library Media Administration

Purpose

The School Library Media Administration (SLMA) program at Utah State University (USU) is designed for those interested in working in a school library media center, public or private. The program includes all the course work and practicum experiences necessary to apply for the Utah Library Media K-12 Endorsement. Those seeking the Utah Endorsement must currently have, or be working toward, a current and valid Utah teaching license.

This program is offered through the Department of Instructional Technology (InsT) in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (CEHS). Those interested in taking the SLMA courses can be working on

an Utah Library Media K-12 Endorsement only
an USU undergraduate minor
an emphasis in the InsT Master of Education (MEd) degree
professional development - not seeking endorsement or degree
personal interest as a lifelong learner

Program Requirements

The program is designed for students to begin the course work fall semester. The SLMA program requires a minimum of eighteen (18) semester credit hours. A minimum of fifteen (15) of the eighteen (18) total credit hours must be taken through USU. All coursework must be completed within six (6) years of the date of acceptance.

Admission

You must first be admitted as a student to USU. If you have not been admitted, start with the USU online application process.

Once you are admitted, if you are...

doing the endorsement only, fill out the SLMA online information form. Then you will work with your local USU Regional Campus to register for courses each semester.
working on a minor in the teacher education program, fill out the SLMA online information form. Then you will work with your advisor to schedule and register for courses each semester.
using the coursework for the emphasis in the InsT MEd degree, you must first apply to the USU School of Graduate Studies and be accepted into the InsT MEd program. You may start this process using their online application. An advisor will be assigned to you from the InsT department. You will work with the advisor for program schedules and concerns, but you will work with your local USU Regional Campus to register for courses each semester.
taking any of the courses for professional development or personal interest, fill out the SLMA online information form. Then you will work with your local USU Regional Campus to register for courses each semester.

Program Delivery

The School Library Media Administration program is delivered primarily through the Utah Education Network (UEN) system to locations around Utah. Call your local USU Regional Campus to find out where the courses are delivered in your area. This is a synchronous system with two-way audio and two-way video. The courses also have an on-line component, currently through Blackboard. Students must have access to the internet.

Fall and Spring semester courses are taught on Tuesday evenings. The first course is 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. The second course is 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. The summer course is taught the first 8 weeks of the semester, Tuesday evening 5:15 - 9:15 p.m. Check with your local USU Regional Campus for the delivery location for the classes. The Summer practicum requires one week residency in Logan, typically the third full week of June.

Starting each Fall, the program can be completed in either one calendar year or two calendar years, depending on student preference. Each course is only offered once a year. To complete in one calendar year, students must take the two courses each semester. To complete in two calendar years, students take one course each semester. If students opt for the two year plan, they should begin with INST 5000/6060 "SLM Foundations and Information Management" and end with INST 5090/6090 "School Library Media Practicum."

Endorsement Requirements

The applicant must have a current and valid Utah Educator License with an Elementary or Secondary area of concentration.

Completion of the course work does not automatically guarantee a recommendation by the INST department for state endorsement in library media K-12. A recommendation for endorsement will be made when the student has

completed all course work including the practicum
completed a minimum of 15 credits through USU
demonstrated competency in course work
demonstrated the potential to work effectively with both students and teachers
a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
the approval of the practicum advisor
completed the appropriate forms and submitted the required fees