Core Curriculum & Courses
Emerging Trends, Collection Development and Instructional Design are just a few of the areas you’ll explore in our program. Learn more about our courses: Longwood University School Librarianship Course Descriptions (pdf).
Each student completes the core curriculum plus courses associated with the appropriate track.
Core Curriculum
SLIB500 Foundations of School Librarianship (3)
SLIB510 Collection Development (3)
SLIB520/521 Library Resources for Children Workshop (3)
SLIB530/531 Library Resources for Young Adults/Workshop (3)
SLIB560 Information Sources and Services (3)
SLIB620/621 Instructional Design and Assessment in School Libraries/Workshop (3)
SLIB630 Organization of Information (3)
SLIB670/671 Administration of School Libraries/Workshop (3)
SLIB691 Professional Portfolio (1)
Total credits: 25
During your final semester of enrollment, you’ll develop and present a Professional Portfolio which documents your mastery of program standards and highlights your growth.
Tracks
In addition to earning your M.Ed., all tracks lead to endorsement in library media Pre-K-12 in Virginia.
Licensed Teachers - Track 1
This track is for those who enter the program holding a valid Virginia Collegiate Professional License or the equivalent from another state (36 credit hours).
You'll take the core curriculum plus:
- SLIB 600 Emerging Trends in School Librarianship (3)
- SLIB 680 Research Methodology for School Libraries (3)
- SLIB 690 Clinical Experience in School Libraries (2)
And select one elective from the following:
- SLIB 595 Special Topics (3)
- SLIB 605 Features and Functions of School Libraries PK-12 (3)
- SLIB 610 Promotion of School Libraries (3)
- SLIB 685 Research Study in School Libraries (3)
- SLIB 695 Advanced Special Topics (3)
Initial Licensure - Track 2
This is the track for those who have a Bachelor's but do not have a valid Virginia Collegiate Professional License or the equivalent from another state (39 credit hours).
You'll take the core curriculum plus:
- SLIB 571 Curriculum and Instruction for School Librarians - Part 1 (1)
- SLIB 572 Curriculum and Instruction for School Librarians - Part 2 (1)
- SLIB 573 Practicum in Curriculum and Instruction for School Librarians (1)
- SLIB 600 Emerging Trends in School Librarianship (3)
- SLIB 680 Research Methodology for School Libraries (3)
- SLIB 689 Supervised Experience in School Libraries (5)
In order to finish the graduate program, students must complete courses that address VDOE Professional Studies Requirements for PreK-12 endorsements.
You might already have undergraduate or graduate coursework that qualifies. If not, these can be taken through Longwood professional studies (Longwoodce.org), Longwood graduate studies or other institutions while you complete your SLIB required courses.
- Human development and learning
- Foundations of education and the teaching profession
- Classroom and behavior management
- Literacy in the content areas
- Curriculum and instruction (Fulfilled by SLIB 571/572/573)
- Assessment of and for learning (SLIB 620 required)
Professional Endorsement in Library Media
Designed for individuals with a valid Virginia Collegiate Professional License or equivalent from another state who want to be eligible to add an endorsement for Library Media PreK-12 without obtaining a Master’s degree. Completion of the following courses is required:
SLIB500 Foundations of School Librarianship (3)
SLIB510 Collection Development (3)
SLIB520/521 Library Resources for Children/Workshop (3)
SLIB530/531 Library Resources for Young Adults/Workshop (3)
SLIB560 Information Sources and Services (3)
SLIB620/621 Instructional Design in School Libraries/Workshop (3)
SLIB630 Organization of Information (3)
SLIB670/671 Administration of School Libraries/Workshop (3)
SLIB690 Clinical Experience in School Libraries (2)
SLIB691 Professional Portfolio (1)
Total credits: 27
Admission Requirements
- Official bachelor’s degree transcripts from an accredited college or university and all transcripts for subsequent coursework.
- A minimum, overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale). Options available if you do not meet this requirement.
- Essay of 500 words or less addressing reasons for seeking graduate education in the School Librarianship Program and
- How the School Librarianship graduate program fits with career goals
- Related work or life experiences
- Analysis of the ability to complete the program successfully
- Two recommendations related to your competence and effectiveness in your academic and professional work.
- Resume
Deadlines
Fall: Deadline July 15
Spring: Deadline December 1
Summer: Deadline April 15
These are suggested application submission dates. We will continue to accept applications until the program is full.
Costs & Financial Aid
Longwood offers an outstanding and affordable education.
The Licensed Teachers track is 36 credits, making the cost breakdown:
$15,336 - Estimated in-state cost
$426 per credit hour
$15,696 - Estimated out-of-state cost
$436 per credit hour
The Initial Licensure track is 39 credits, making the cost breakdown:
$16,614 - Estimated in-state cost
$426 per credit hour
$17,004- Estimated out-of-state cost
$436 per credit hour
The Endorsement only is 27 credits, making the cost breakdown:
$11,502 - Estimated in-state cost
$426 per credit hour
$11,772 - Estimated out-of-state cost
$436 per credit hour
Visit Longwood's Graduate student tuition estimates and hours webpage.
Visit Longwood's Financial Aid webpage.
Cohort Specific Course Flows
Sample course flows for our newest cohorts.
Richmond Cohort Course Flow (pdf)
Summer 2023
Fauquier/Loudoun County Area Cohort Course Flow (pdf)
Spring 2022
Roanoke Area Cohort Course Flow (pdf)
There is still room to join the Roanoke cohort if you missed the Spring start.
You can begin Summer 2022 - Course Sequence Summer 2022.
Winchester Area Cohort Course Flow (pdf)
Fall 2022
Hampton Roads Area Cohort Course Flow (pdf)
Prince William County Area Cohort Course Flow (pdf)
Email Program Director, Dr. Karla Collins, at collinskb@longwood.edu if you have a question about the course sequence for a specific cohort, cohort start dates, or application deadlines. We continue to accept applications until the program is full.
