Post-Master's Certificate in Instruction for Information Professionals
Start Term: Fall 2026 | Apply By: June 1, 2026
Program Length: 10 Months | Total Units: 12
Total Program Cost: $5,148
Ready to elevate your teaching abilities? Whether you are entering or advancing in jobs at libraries, museums, archives, or other information settings, the Post-Master's Certificate in Instruction for Information Professionals provides you with credentialed skills, helping you stand out as a candidate for careers that require teaching experience.
Why This Program?
- 100% online schedule built for working professionals and graduate students
- Career-ready skills in teaching, technology, and assessment
- Direct experience with industry-standard software
- Taught by instructional librarians who design, teach, and assess information literacy
- Portfolio project to showcase your teaching expertise for job applications or promotions
In just one academic year, you will learn to create effective instruction through the development of a clear pedagogical practice, engaging learning materials in Canvas and LibGuides, assessment strategies for both small- and large-scale data collection, and a professional teaching portfolio.
Designed for those with a master's degree in Information Science or a related field, this certificate positions you for new opportunities and career advancement. As you progress through four 8-week courses in a cohort of like-minded peers, you will learn how to design effective instruction for adult learners in academic, public, private, and cultural institutions.
This Program Is Ideal For
- Academic librarians seeking to specialize in information literacy instruction
- MLIS, MSLIS, or related graduates preparing for teaching-focused positions
- Higher education professionals who teach or support information literacy
- Librarians seeking professional development or a career transition
Learn More About the Post-Master's Certificate Program
There is more to explore below. Open each section to see if this program is the right fit for you.
The Post-Master’s Certificate in Instruction for Information Professionals is a fully online, 10-month program of four 8-week courses, completed in a cohort of like-minded peers. You will develop a clear pedagogical practice, build engaging learning materials in Canvas and LibGuides, learn assessment strategies for both small- and large-scale data collection, and finish with a professional teaching portfolio.
Four 8-week courses, completed over one academic year:
- LIS 601: Foundations of Information Literacy Instruction. Instructional theory, teaching strategies, and foundations of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework.
- LIS 602: Digital Tools and Technologies for Information Literacy Instruction. Training with LibGuides, LibWizard, and LMS tools. Students design inclusive, ethical, and engaging digital learning objects.
- LIS 603: Assessment in Academic Libraries. Develops expertise in designing, analyzing, and communicating assessment data to demonstrate instructional impact.
- LIS 690: Capstone. Culminating project synthesizing digital tools, pedagogy, and inclusive design into a comprehensive instructional module and professional teaching portfolio.
Courses are taught by instructional librarians who design, teach, and assess information literacy instruction in academic settings. Detailed instructor profiles are coming soon.
Program Director: Alexis Pavenick. For general inquiries, contact lib-programs@csulb.edu.
This program is ideal for:
- Academic librarians seeking to specialize in information literacy instruction
- MLIS, MSLIS, or related graduates preparing for teaching-focused positions
- Higher education professionals who teach or support information literacy
- Librarians seeking professional development or a career transition
You will learn how to design, deliver, and assess information literacy instruction; use digital platforms such as LibGuides, learning management systems, and multimedia tools to enhance student learning; apply inclusive and accessible teaching practices aligned with the ACRL Framework; use evidence-based assessment to improve instructional quality; and demonstrate your new skills with a professional teaching portfolio.
Is the program fully online?
Yes. All four courses are delivered online and asynchronously, designed for working professionals and graduate students.
How long does the program take?
Ten months: four 8-week courses completed over one academic year.
What does the program cost?
$429 per unit, for a total program cost of $5,148.
When can I apply?
Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are due June 1, 2026, through Cal State Apply.
