Specialist in Education with a Major in Instructional Technology, Media & Design - School Library Media
The Specialist in Education program in Instructional Technology, Media, & Design program with a concentration in School Library Media is designed to prepare media specialists to serve in district-level school library leadership roles in PK-12 school districts.
Program Highlights:
- 100% online courses facilitated by experienced online instructors
- Low or no cost textbooks
- Coursework focused exclusively on the PK-12 instructional program
- Relevant, real-world learning experiences designed to prepare students to serve in both face-to-face and virtual environments
- Multiple full-time SLM faculty with extensive experience serving as PK-12 building-level media specialists and district-level media/technology coordinators
- Coursework aligned to the ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards (2019) and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Library Media Standards.
- Many graduates are state and national award winners and serve in leadership roles in the greater school library and instructional technology fields
- Option for Georgia educators that hold professional teaching certification to obtain Instructional Technology certification and other GaPSC approved endorsements
- Coursework may be transferable into a doctoral program
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program sheet, which provides a required coursework sequence, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
Prospective students must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and be eligible for GaPSC level 5 Media Specialist certification for program admission. The program consists of 30 hours of graduate coursework. Students exit the program with a Specialist in Education degree in Instructional Technology, Media, & Design and eligibility for GaPSC level 6 Media Specialist certification.
Students may begin the program any semester.
Contact: media@westga.edu
Career Opportunities
Program Location
Online
Method of Delivery
Coursework is 100% online.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The School Library Media program is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 30
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
The program consists of 30 hours of graduate coursework including 15 hours in school library media and instructional technology and 15 hours of electives.
Downloads
General
This course examines how school librarians connect beyond the walls of their schools to lead and learn with others in their district, community, state, across the nation, and around the World. Through collaborative activities, school librarians influence and inspire a school community to achieve identified goals and/or a shared vision.
The course focuses on the processes of innovation and change as they apply to educational systems. Students learn how to apply change models and diffusion theory in order to successfully integrate technology-driven procedures and resources into educational organizations.
Current issues and trends in school library media services and programs will be examined. The basic vision of the school library media program comprised of collaboration, leadership and technology will be emphasized.
This course prepares candidates to provide visionary instructional leadership in library media at the district level. Candidates will engage in the long range planning process to develop an effective school library program that advances student achievement in multiple literacies across the PK-12 curriculum.
This course explores current issues and trends in school library media services and programs through action research.
Melissa Johnston, Ph.D.
Professor
Jessica M. Lilly, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Jessica Thompson, Ed.D.
SLM Program Coordinator/Lecturer
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
- Eligibility for certification as a GA media specialist: This requirement is satisfied by a) holding a current GA Standard Professional Media Specialist certificate, or b) successful completion of a state-approved school librarian certification program at the master's degree level.
- Official transcripts from all schools that have conferred degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.) are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher in most recent degree
- Applicants with out-of-state teaching certificates must contact their home state's certification body to determine eligibility for certificate upgrade upon completion of the program at UWG.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
NOTE: Online students may qualify for a term-by-term exemption to the immunization policy. Contact the Immunization Clerk for more information.
Contact
Graduate Admissions
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1394
Department of Educational Technology & Foundations
media@westga.edu
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline; Dates may vary for Readmit, Transfer, and Transient students.
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
- Candidates demonstrate professional leadership in strategically planning for flexible, open access to library resources and services according to the ethical codes of the profession.
- Candidates demonstrate instructional leadership in multiple literacies for diverse student populations.
- Candidates demonstrate professional leadership in evaluating trends and issues that may improve school library practices.
- Candidates demonstrate professional leadership in collecting, assessing, and applying data and information to transform school library practice.