Masters of Science in Education - Professional Development

UW-Whitewater offers a Master of Science in Education - Professional Development with an emphasis in Information, Technology and Libraries. Through 2008, a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Library and Information Technology was offered, and there may be students completing this degree, but all new students will enroll in the MSE-PD. Students in the MSC&I also have the opportunity to switch to the new degree. For questions on the MSC&I, contact Anne Zarinnia or Eileen Schroeder. The MSE-PD educates initial and professional level library media specialists for schools and small public libraries as information specialists, teachers, instructional partners, and administrators who develop, access, and organize information resources in all formats, educate students and teachers to use these information resources in support of the curriculum and personal needs, and engage the passions, curiosities, appetite for learning and love of reading in students. The master's degree is available with two options:

• Degree with initial level licensure (professional level with stipulations for those who already hold a professional teaching license
• Degree with professional level licensure

In Wisconsin, a school library media specialist must first obtain initial licensure and then complete an approved program within the next five years to move to professional level licensure. For guidance on which degree option may be the best for you, see the link to "Which is for you?"

For more information on admission to the graduate program or the online application form, see the School of Graduate Studies. Students are allowed to transfer up to 12 credits earned as a non candidate for degree at UW-Whitewater into their degree program. If you plan to eventually enroll in a graduate degree program, you may take up to four courses at this status and have them count toward the degree. Generally only nine transfer credits are allowed from another institution.

Option 1: Degree with Initial Licensure

Some students choose to work on a master's degree while pursuing initial licensure. To do that, the following classes are required for the degree and for licensure. Note that more courses are required for licensure than for the degree. Talk with the program faculty if you have taken an instructional technology, children's literature, or young adult licensure in recent years. It may cover the competencies required in the program and be applicable to licensure even if it does not count toward the degree.

Option 2: Degree with Professional Level License

The 902 professional level license must be done at the graduate level, but it can be part of a master's degree program or for licensure only. For the Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Library and Information Technology, an additional six courses are required beyond those for the professional level license. The two practicum experiences for the initial level license may be counted toward this degree or two other electives substituted. The chart below indicates the six courses required for licensure as well as the others needed if licensure is sought in the context of a degree.

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