MLS with School Librarian Certification

After formal admission to the SLIS program, students seeking School Librarian Certification in the state of Texas must:

• Apply to the TWU Educator Preparation Program (EPP). For Texas school librarian certification information, contact the Office of Educator Preparation Services at 940-898-2829, or email copeadvising@twu.edu. 
• Submit an official service record documenting at least two years of full-time classroom teaching experience in an EC-12 accredited school (public or private).* 
• Submit the following documents by the end of their first semester:
  • Texas Education Agency Code of Ethics statement
  • Approved course plan
  • SLC checklist
• Complete at least 15 hours of coursework, excluding practicum, after acceptance into the Educator Preparation Program.
• Successfully complete the TExES examination. 
• Complete a 160-hour practicum according to SLC practicum guidelines.
• Complete the Master of Library Science degree, unless the student has a prior Master’s degree in another discipline.

* NOTE: An official service record documenting at least two years of full-time classroom teaching experience in an EC-12 accredited school (public or private) will be required to apply to the Educator Preparation Program. Applicants who are currently in their second year of classroom teaching will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. If you have questions about your teaching experience, or if you are not contacted by the Office of Educator Preparation Services regarding your application, please email copeadvising@twu.edu.

Criteria for TExES Examination

In order for a SLC student to be approved to take the Texas TExES examination, the student must have successfully completed 18 hours of School Librarian Certification required coursework, including LS 5063, LS 5233, LS 5333, and LS 5443. Fifteen of those course credit hours must have been completed at TWU. TWU is not responsible for the acceptance of its degree or courses by other states. To register for the exam, email the Office of Educator Preparation Services at copeadvising@twu.edu. 

Out-of-State Students Seeking School Librarian Certification

The Master of Library Science with School Librarian Certification and the Post-Master's Certificate in School Librarianship prepare graduates to take the School Librarian Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) exam (State Board for Educator Certification through the Texas Education Agency). School librarian certification in states other than Texas will have other requirements. TWU SLIS programs HAVE NOT BEEN DETERMINED to meet the educational requirements of other states. Please check with your state to make sure our program meets their requirements.

Students with a Degree from a Country Outside of the United States

For students who earned an undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States, the institution must be on the list of those approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), or the student must submit verification of minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT). 

Program Contact

Tawnda Smith
Admissions Coordinator
940-898-2602
slis@twu.edu

Preferred Application Deadlines

Fall - June 1
Spring - November 1
Summer - April 1

Admission Requirements

• Completed bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours from an accredited U.S. college or university, or an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.75-2.99 may be considered for admission review on a case-by-case basis.
• At least two years documented experience as a full-time classroom teacher of record in an EC-12 accredited school (public or private).  Applicants who are currently in their second year as a classroom teacher of record will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply to the Program

• Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School (see How to Apply).  Upload the following documents:
  
  • Application Form - School of Library & Information Studies - (fillable PDF form; Chrome browser recommended)
  • Resume
  • 2-page statement of intent (your professional goals and career interests)
  • Email address for one individual familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide a letter of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application
  • Teaching service record (required for TEA compliance)
• Additional Requirement: Apply to the TWU Educator Preparation Program. After formal admission to SLIS, you will be contacted by the TWU Office of Educator Preparation Services with information about applying to the Educator Preparation Program, an additional admission step required by the Texas Education Agency.  Please see "Requirements for School Librarian Certification" for more information.

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details. Original transcripts for each college/university attended must be submitted, even if referred to on another schools transcripts.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
3. Submit Recommendation Requests
   If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application. List of programs-majors.  
4. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
   1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
   2. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
   3. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.
5. Submit Program supplemental documents
   1. Submit all program requests for Resume, Statement of Purpose, Artist or Research Statement, Scholarly Writing Sample, Custom Essay, Portfolio Document, Video Submission, Licensure, Department Specific Application, Teaching Service Record, Teaching Certificate, etc. following submission of your application fee.

Watch for emails from your new program/department that may come to your TWU email address.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.