CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

LIBRARY MEDIA TEACHER PROGRAM

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Department of Educational Psychology, Administration, and Counseling

 

Dr. Lesley Farmer, Coordinator

(562) 985-4509     lfarmer@csulb.edu

Program Web site: http://www.csulb.edu/lmt

 

Are YOU interested in learning more about the professional credential you need to work as a Library Media Teacher in California?  The questions below reflect the most common issues.

 

Why do I need another credential?

The Library Media Teacher Services credential allows you to be a Library Media Teacher (LMT) in any K-12 school in California.  You MUST have a California teaching credential to be eligible for this credential.

 

Where can I earn the Library Media Teacher Services Credential?

Six colleges and universities offer this credential in California; three of these are located in Southern California: CSULB, Azuza Pacific, and CSU Fullerton (an off-campus extension program of SJSU). The Long Beach provides courses on-campus, in the San Fernando Valley, and online.

 

What is the MLS degree, and is it required for a credential?

The Master of Library Science (MLS) degree is not required for a California Media Teacher Services credential.  If you ever plan to work in another type of library, however, you will want to have a MLS degree from an American Library Association accredited library school in California, which is offered by  San Jose State University.

Does CSULB offer Master’s degree in library science?

Since spring 2003 the program offers a Master of Arts in Education, Option in School Librarianship.  

 This program will be accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

 

May I transfer class credits from one credential program to another?

CSULB will accept transfer credits from any of the accredited LMT credential programs in California, and may accept transfer credits from library media programs in other states (though not through the University of Phoenix).  Other programs may accept a limited number of transfer units from CSULB.

 

What are the requirements for a Library Media Teachers Services credential?

The requirements at CSULB are listed below.  The credential program at each campus differs, but all programs listed above are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.


1.  Seven library media classes completed at CSULB, or equivalencies transferred from another accredited credential or MLS program:

            LI 510: Selection of Materials and Information

                LI 520: Information  Literacy and Reference Services

                LI 530A: Library Media Materials for Elementary Grades (K-5)

                LI 530B: Library Media Materials for Secondary Grades (6-12)

                LI 540: Organization of Materials

                LI 550: School Library Media Center Management

                LI 570: Library Media Technologies

                LI 580: Field Experience in the School Library Media Center (both elementary/MS and HS levels)

2. Required curriculum design and development class (EdP 677 or EdCI 625) .

 

What are the requirements for a Master of Art in Education, Option in School Librarianship?

The master’s degree includes all the credential requirements plus the following:

     * LI 500 Foundations of Information

     * EDP 520 Research Methods in Education (pre-requisite of EDP 400 Educational Measurement and Statistics)

     * Comprehensive examination (EDP 697 Directed Research).

Most applicants earn a credential simultaneously while pursuing the M.A. Students who earned their LMT Services Credential at CSULB recently may be eligible to apply for the MA, incorporating their prior units of study.

 

How long does it take to get the LMT Services credential?

Generally, the LMT Services Credential Program at California State University Long Beach offers one class each semester (usually on Saturdays 8:30am - 5pm) and one during summer session.  Nine classes (28 units) are required for the credential.  Field experience is typically scheduled in schools near the student’s home or work setting.  With prior approval of the Coordinator, equivalent classes may be transferred into the CSULB credential program from other accredited credential programs. 

 

How long does it take to get the M.A. degree?

Generally, the master’s takes an additional year to complete.

 

What about the Emergency Library Media Teacher Services Permit?

LMT Services Credential Program Coordinators are not allowed to sign these annual renewal forms; they must be signed by staff in the CSULB Credential Processing Center (ED1-42, (562) 985-4109).  Requirements include: 1) admission to the CSULB LMT Services Credential Program; 2) completion of at least 6 units of coursework toward the credential since your last annual renewal.  You may be asked to show an official transcript if courses were not taken at CSULB.

 

What do I need to be accepted into the library media teacher program?

* Admission to CSULB as a graduate student (two classes of 6 units may be taken through Open University/Extension)

* Current valid California Teaching Credential

* Passing CBEST examination score

* 3.0 GPA (or better)

 

To be officially admitted to the program, you must also have on file with the Credential Program Coordinator:

* Completed application form

* College transcripts (one official copy for the credential program, and one official copy  for CSULB admission)

* Three letters of recommendation

* Resume and statement of career objectives (and relevant experience)

* Record of interview with the Credential Program Coordinator

Working knowledge of word processing, databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, presentation software, Internet searching, and e-mail usage is expected in all classes.

 

Applicants for the degree program must also take the  WPE (Writing Proficiency Examination) score by the end of the first semester of MA coursework  taken within the program; they must submit a passing score before advanced to candidacy.

 

Once admitted to CSULB’s graduate program, you may take classes while working to fulfill the credential program requirements (except for Field Experience).  All documents should be addressed to:

California State University, Long Beach
College of Education Graduate Office, ED1-room 7

1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-2201

 

 

 

 

 


CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH



 


DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, ADMINISTRATION AND COUNSELING

 

LIBRARY MEDIA TEACHER PROGRAM

 ADMISSION APPLICATION

 

Academic Goal:    

      [  ] LMT Services Credential Only    

      [  ] M.A. in Education, Option in School Librarianship AND Credential

 

Name:  ___________________________________________________    SS#: _______________   Date of Birth: ________

 

Address:  ____________________________________________________________________________________________

                                Street                                                                                      City                                         State                       ZIP

 

Telephone: _____________________     ___________________________   E-mail: ________________________________

                                Home                                      Work

 

 

College Classification:

Are you currently admitted to California State University, Long Beach? _______

                BA/BA:                  College: _______________________________   Major: ________________________________

 

                MA/MS:                College: _______________________________   Major: ________________________________

 

What is your overall GPA for the last 60 units of coursework? ___________

 

 

Credential Status:

Which current valid California Teaching Credential do you possess?

General _____      Standard _____   Single Subject _____          Multiple Subject _____      None ______

 

Grade levels and subject areas of your credential: ___________________________________________

 

Other valid California credentials: _______________________________________________________

 

Current teaching credential valid in another state: ___________________________________________

 

 

Current Professional Status:

 

Position title: _______________________________________________________________________________________

 

School/Office: _____________________________________   Employer/District: ________________________________

 

Have you passed the California Basic Educational Standards Test (CBEST)?  ______      

Have you passed the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE)? (needed for M.A.) ____________

 

List prior teaching/library experience:

 

 


Application Procedures:

 

1.             Apply for graduate acceptance to California State University Long Beach (http://www.csumentor.edu).

                Either apply for the credential, or for the M.A. in Education (which subsumes the credential).

 

2.             Submit this supplementary application with the following:

                A.  One copy of your college transcripts (unofficial OK), teaching credentials, CBEST, (WPE for MA) certificates

                B.  A brief state of your career objectives, reasons for interest in this field, and any experience which might

                     enhance your work in the field (signed and dated)

                C.  A brief resume

 

3.             Request three letters of recommendation from people who know your personally and can address your professional

                potential in the school library media field.  Please have these sent directly to:

California State University, Long Beach
College of Education  Graduate Office, ED1-room 7

1250 Bellflower Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90840-2201

 

4.             Schedule an interview with Dr. Lesley Farmer, Coordinator of the Library Media Teacher Services Credential

                Program: (562) 985-4509 or lfarmer@csulb.edu

 

5.             “I understand that I will not be officially admitted to the LMT Services Credential program until I have met all of the

                 university requirements and also the following requirements, but that I may take classes (except Field Experiences) as

                I am working on the supplementary program application requirements.”

                (One class may be taken before admittance by CSULB):

                A.  Application to the program on file

                B.  GPA requirements met (3.0)

                C.  Current valid California Teaching Credential on file

                D.  CBEST examination score on file (successfully passed)

                E.  College transcripts on file

                F.  Three letters of recommendation on file

                G.  Resume and statement of career objectives on file

                H.  Interview with the Credential Coordinator

 

5.             Applicants to the M. A. in Education, Option in School Librarianship, must also submit evidence of passing

                the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) before they can be advanced to candidacy.

 

Please mail this application to Dr. Farmer at the above address.

 Phone (562) 985-4517 or consult http://www.csulb.edu/lmt for additional information or assistance as needed.

 

 

Applicant’s Signature: _________________________________________________________    Date: _________________