Prepare to Become a School Library Media Specialist
Build the knowledge and practical skills to lead a school library that inspires reading, supports teaching, and helps students navigate information with confidence. The University of South Alabama’s Library Media program connects coursework with hands-on internship experiences, preparing educators across Mobile, the Gulf Coast, and beyond to teach information and media literacy, build diverse collections, and thoughtfully integrate educational technology.
Library Media Specialist Community
Open Professional Network & Research Hub
Upcoming Library Media Program Information Sessions
Join our live introductory orientation sessions to learn about course expectations, program pathways, and connect with faculty and future peers.
Program Orientation Slide
Review the core orientation slides for the Library Media program below.
Library Media Master's Degree (M.Ed.)
A fully online program designed to prepare visionary school librarians to plan, design, and manage modern school media centers. Admits every term for working educators.
Interactive Program & Certification Pathways
Hover over the Certification Pathway coursework box below to view transcript waiver policies.
M.Ed. in Library Media
Diversity: 6 credits | Research: 3 credits
(Internship-Based Capstone Paper)
M.Ed. Degree
Library Media Certification Pathway
Diversity: 6 credits* | Research: 3 credits*
(Internship-Based Capstone Paper)
Library Media Certification
CINS Library Media Network Knowledge Site
Explore interactive modules, course sequences, and academic resources directly below.
Recommended Course Rotation by Term
Plan your Fall, Spring, and Summer terms efficiently across your M.Ed. progression.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester |
|---|---|---|
| *EDM 540 | *EDM 581 | *EDM 530 |
| *EDM 580 | *EDM 583 | EDM 510 |
| EDM 510 | EDM 510 | EDM 595 B/C |
| EDM 595 A/B/C | EDM 595 A/B/C | — |
Library Media Internship Hub
A total of 100 clinical hours bridging practical learning with AASL National Standards. Experience can be completed across school, public, and university library settings.
Professional Responsibilities
MUST be completed in a P-12 School Setting
- Knowledge of learners and learning
- Instructional partnership & advocacy
- Collection development & funding
- Ethics and professional standards
Access to Information
School, Public, or Academic Library
- Information technology integration
- Ethical information-seeking behavior
- Networking with library community
- Effective instructional delivery
Impact on Student Achievement
School, Public, or Academic Library
- Reading promotion & literacy strategies
- Strategic planning & assessment
- Leadership & professional development
- Community advocacy
Action Plan, Tevera & Daily Documentation
Tevera Clinical Placement Portal & Daily Logs
1. Collaborative Action Plan
Developed with supervising librarian using AASL National Standards. Includes progress reflections at midterm and final evaluation.
2. Daily Google Docs Journal
Shared with course instructor. Document daily activities, feelings, and reflections. Must match Tevera time log entries.
3. 100 Total Hours
Completed through a combination of in-person school/library visits and advisor-approved virtual media center activities.
Library Media Certification FAQ
Answers to certification reciprocity, course transfers, MLIS evaluations, and degree program admissions.
You may be eligible for Alabama certification through certificate reciprocity.
For Library Media, Alabama generally requires:
- A valid out-of-state professional educator certificate in Library Media
- At least a master’s degree
- Two full years of qualifying full-time professional educational experience in a P–12 school system
ALSDE makes the final determination regarding reciprocity eligibility.
Possibly.
In this situation, certificate reciprocity would generally not apply, because reciprocity is based on holding a valid professional educator certificate from another state—not simply having an MLIS or other graduate degree.
You may instead need to complete an Alabama-approved Library Media certification program.
At the University of South Alabama, your previous graduate coursework can be reviewed, and up to 9 credit hours of eligible coursework may potentially count toward the elective portion of the program.
The exact number of courses required depends on your:
- Previous degree
- Previous graduate coursework
- Current educator certification status
- Transcript review
- Alabama certification requirements
Not necessarily.
Alabama's instructional-support reciprocity pathway generally requires the out-of-state certificate to be in the same instructional support area. For example, someone seeking Alabama Library Media certification through this pathway would generally need an appropriate out-of-state Library Media certificate.
You may need to pursue an approved Library Media certification program instead.
Not necessarily.
Depending on your existing degree, certification, and previous coursework, you may be able to pursue a certification-only pathway rather than completing another full master’s degree.
Previous graduate coursework may also be reviewed for up to 9 credit hours of eligible elective coursework, potentially allowing you to focus primarily on the Educational Media core courses and internships.
Your transcript and certification status must be reviewed before the exact number of required hours can be determined.
Possibly.
The program can review previous graduate-level coursework, and up to 9 credit hours may potentially be accepted toward elective requirements.
Acceptance is not automatic. Courses are reviewed based on:
- Course content
- Graduate-level credit
- Relevance to program requirements
- Transcript and syllabus review when necessary
No.
An MLIS and professional library experience are valuable, but Alabama educator certification has separate requirements.
For out-of-state Library Media reciprocity, ALSDE specifically requires qualifying educator certification and professional educational experience.
Experience in an academic, public, or medical library should therefore not automatically be assumed to satisfy the P–12 experience requirement.
If you do not already hold a professional Library Media educator certificate, an Alabama-approved Library Media certification program may be the more appropriate pathway.
Your previous graduate degree and library coursework should be reviewed to determine how much of your prior education can apply toward the program.
The ALSDE reciprocity document requires applicants in instructional support areas such as Library Media to verify two full years of full-time professional educational work experience in a P–12 school system.
If you do not meet that requirement, contact ALSDE to determine your available certification options.
The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) makes the official certification determination.
The University of South Alabama can help you understand your educational program options, but ALSDE determines whether an out-of-state certificate qualifies for Alabama reciprocity.
Your previous degree, transcripts, coursework, and certification status need to be reviewed by the Library Media program and certification office.
Depending on your background, you may qualify for different pathways, and eligible prior coursework may reduce the number of courses you need.
Think of it this way:
Prospective students are encouraged to discuss their educational background and certification goals before applying so that we can help identify the most appropriate pathway.
Prospective Student Interest Survey
Interested in joining the Library Media program at South Alabama? Please take a moment to fill out our prospective student survey below.