Undergraduate Degree

There are two undergraduate minors in library media:

• Library Media K-12 (School Library)
• Library Science (Public Library)

School Library Media Minor

The school library media minor is a valuable addition to any education degree. To be a library media specialist in a Wisconsin public school, an individual must have both the initial level license (902 Initial) as well as be eligible for a teaching license in another area. A student can simultaneously work on both licenses as an undergraduate. The following courses are required for the school library media minor.

You can begin taking undergraduate library media courses near the beginning of your undergraduate career at UW-Whitewater, although it is advisable to start after you have started taking education courses such as the pre-professional block. This will give you some background in teaching and learning that will benefit you in the library media coursework. Library media courses are at the 300 and 400 level which assume junior and senior level work. Meet with your undergraduate advisor to set up a program of study that will fit your eight library media courses and two practicum experiences into your program. You must complete your student teaching before you do the two library media practicum experiences. To take the practicum while still an undergraduate, you need a written letter of permission from your department chairperson.

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Public Library Minor

The public library minor can be taken by students in a wide range of majors. Public library minors may take the library media courses at any time during their college careers.

A two-credit practicum experience in a public library is required as part of the minor. Prerequisites for the practicum are LIBMEDIA 350, 451, and 454, but it is recommended that all library courses be finished before the practicum. This minor leads to a Grade 2 and 3 certificate in Wisconsin. It provides a good background for working in small public libraries as well a skills that are useful for research in many fields.

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