Washington State Library Media Endorsement Coursework

Coursework in the MLIS program for the Washington State Library Media Endorsement

Students need to complete the following subjects in the MLIS program (45+ specified credits out of the 63 needed for the MLIS degree). Note that while this course load is more than the basic requirement of an endorsement, the following subjects must be completed to meet the standards of the Washington Accreditation Committee to the Washington State Board of Education. 

  • LIS 500 The Life Cycle of Information (2)
  • LIS 510 Information Behavior (4)
  • LIS 520 Information Resources, Services, and Collections (4)
  • LIS 522 Collection Development (3)
  • LIS 530 Organization of Information and Resources (4)
  • LIS 550 Information in Social Context (4)
  • LIS 560 Instructional Training Strategies for Information Professionals (3)
  • LIS 561 Storytelling: Art and Techniques (3)
  • LIS 565 Children’s Materials: Selection and Use (4)
  • LIS 566 Young Adult Materials: Selection and Use (4)
  • LIS 568 Introduction to Information Literacy (3)
  • LIS 585 Administration of the School Library Media Program (3) *
  • One Information Technology Core Course (4) *
  • LIS 590 Directed Fieldwork (2, 3, or 4 credits required) *

* One Info Tech Core Course: choice of on-campus or online offerings (refer to INFX course descriptions)

* LIS 590: a required practicum (Directed Fielldwork) in a school library is required for all students pursuing the Library Media Endorsement. This practicum must be done with a certified Teacher Librarian at a K-12 school so that you may observe learners and teachers in a library media setting and participate in activities that further your professional growth goals and address required Library Media Endorsement competencies. Upon completion of your Directed Fieldwork your site supervisor/mentor will fill out the “Practicum Evaluation Form”.

Please note that in addition to the above courses, LIS 570 and LIS 580 are also required for receipt of an MLIS from the Information School.

The following courses are not required for the Library Media Endorsement but are recommended for those who may need or want additional preparation:

  • LIS 531 Catalogs, Cataloging, and Classification (4)
  • EDC&I 482 Educational Technology in Schooling (3)

Careful planning is required in order to complete all requirements for the MLIS and Library Media endorsement within a two to three-year time frame.  If you are planning to pursue both the MLIS degree and the Library Media Endorsement, you should consult with the MLIS Academic Advisor and your faculty advisor during your first quarter in the MLIS program to carefully plan out your program of study.