Mansfield University
School Library & Information Technologies
STUDENT ONLINE HANDBOOK
Last updated 29 April 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.Getting Started ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Homepage ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Computer - Hardware/Software Guidelines ......................................................................................... 5
Activating Account Information ........................................................................................................... 5
Desire2Learn and Technical Support ................................................................................................... 7
Registering for Courses ........................................................................................................................ 7
Spring and Fall Semesters ......................................................................................................... 8
Summer Session......................................................................................................................... 8
Textbooks ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Academic Calendar ............................................................................................................................... 8
2.Academic Support ................................................................................................................................. 8
Faculty Advisers ................................................................................................................................... 8
Courses and Instructors......................................................................................................................... 8
Beginning a Course............................................................................................................................... 9
Online Courses and Student Responsibilities ..................................................................................... 10
Library Resources ............................................................................................................................... 10
3.PARTICIPATING IN A COURSE ..................................................................................................... 10
Submitting Assignments ..................................................................................................................... 10
Grading ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Dropping and Adding Courses ........................................................................................................... 12
Withdrawals and Incompletes............................................................................................................. 12
Continuous Enrollment Option vs. Withdrawal ................................................................................. 13
Academic Dishonesty ......................................................................................................................... 13
Clearances and Affiliation Agreement ............................................................................................... 14
4.GETTING READY TO GRADUATE ................................................................................................ 14
LSC 5565, School Library Practicum (1 or 3 credits) ........................................................................ 14
Intent to Graduate: The Praxis Test and Certification Process ........................................................... 15
School Library Certification ............................................................................................................... 15
Career Center ...................................................................................................................................... 17
5.CONTACTS FOR SPECIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE ....................................................... 17
Mansfield University
School Library Student Online Handbook
Welcome to the Online Student Handbook for students of Mansfield
University's Master of Education in School Library and Information
Technologies (SL&IT) Program. The information in this handbook
should help you understand the rules, regulations and guiding
principles that support our program. If you have any suggestions
to improve this handbook, please contact Cindy Keller, Program
Director, at ckeller@mansfield.edu or 717-816-6995.
Mansfield University's Master in Education with a concentration in School Library &
Information Technologies has been certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The
Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the National Council for Accreditation of
Teacher Education (NCATE) have also accredited our program. The program leads to a Master
in Education, not Library Science. For that reason, and because we only prepare school library
media specialists, the program is not accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) but
the program is recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) The benefit
to students is that we are free to focus exclusively on students becoming excellent and effective
school librarians.
Students may either seek certification by the state of Pennsylvania as a School Library Media
Specialists or by their own state, via reciprocity. Or Non-Pennsylvania students may wish to
obtain certification through their own state department of education. It is the responsibility of
out-of-state students to contact their state department of education to determine specific
requirements. For additional information on accreditation for both PA and out-of-state students
see our web page at http://sl-it.mansfield.edu/current-students/reciprocity.cfm. Students have up
to seven years to complete the program.
Mission
The mission of the School Library and Information Technologies graduate program is to empower
school librarians with the skills and knowledge to assume an essential role in their schools as leaders,
instructional partners, information specialists, teachers, and program administrators of library and
information services. The School Library and Information Technologies M.Ed. supports the mission of
Mansfield University and the Teacher Education Unit to prepare educators to make reflective decisions
that are grounded in accepted theory, research, and practice, enabling the educator to adapt instruction
to individual student differences and changing conditions within schools and society.
In developing the program the following core documents guided curriculum design: Empowering
Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs (AASL, 2009); Standards for the 21st Century
Learners (AASL, 2007); Standards for Pennsylvania School Library Certification and Practice (PDE,
2011); the ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School (NCATE, 2010); the Pennsylvania
Department of Education’s Library Science K-12 Standards, and the ISTE NETS Standards. These
guidelines represent the best thinking in the profession and reflect the emerging role of the school
librarian as a critical educational leader.
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Vision
Graduates with a M.Ed. degree in School Library & Information Technologies will be identified as
leaders in their schools, districts, and professional organizations as a result of their actions and
dedication to student achievement through quality school library programs.
Goals of the Program
The School Library & Information Technologies Master’s degree program will:

Prepare skilled and knowledgeable school librarians based on the national school library
guidelines, Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs.

Offer a transformative, personal learning experience facilitated by successful practitioners
who apply best practices from contemporary educational theory within a highly practical,
problem-solving environment.

Enhance learning with interactive technologies for all School Library & Information
Technologies graduate students, regardless of physical location in an online, web-based
environment.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from the School Library & Information Technologies Master of Education
Program will:
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Demonstrate knowledge of learners and learning and model and promote collaborative
planning, instruction in multiple literacies, and inquiry-based learning, thereby enabling K12 students and teaching staff to become effective users of ideas and information.
Design and implement instruction that engages students' interests, develops their ability to
inquire, think critically, gain and share knowledge, and meets academic curricular standards.
Promote reading for learning, personal growth, and enjoyment and use a variety of strategies
to reinforce classroom reading instruction to address the diverse needs and interests of all
readers.
Be knowledgeable of major trends in children's and young adult literature and select reading
materials in multiple formats to support reading for information, pleasure, and lifelong
learning.
Promote legal, ethical, and equitable access to and use of physical, digital, and virtual
collections of resources.
Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of information sources and services that support the
needs of the diverse learning community.
Apply traditional and action research strategies to share information and improve practice.
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School Library Student Online Handbook
Advocate for dynamic school library programs and positive learning environments that focus
on student learning and achievement by collaborating and connecting with teachers,
administrators, librarians, and the community.
Be committed to continuous learning and professional growth and lead professional
development activities for other educators.
Provide leadership by articulating how school libraries contribute to student achievement.
Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate school library media programs in support of the
mission of the library program within the school according to the ethics and principles of
library science, education, management, and administration.
Common Beliefs and Values
The beliefs and core values of the School Library & Information Technologies program mirror those
stated in Empowering Learners:
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Reading is a window to the world.
Inquiry provides a framework for learning.
Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught.
Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.
Equitable access is a key component for education.
The definition of information literacy had become more complex as resources and
technologies have changed.
The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire the thinking
skills that will enable them to learn on their own.
Learning has a social context.
School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills.
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Program Overview
This handbook provides an overview of the program. Begun in 2000, the SL&IT program has specifically
been dedicated to preparing school librarians who will become dynamic school leaders and advocates for
students and learning. Our curriculum and courses undergo frequent state and national accreditation
evaluations to maintain and meet high standards. The SL&IT program has received the national distinction
of being recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the National
Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
You will find that while our online courses are challenging, the faculty, who are among the nation’s
school library leaders, are fully engaged and committed to your success in earning a Master of
Education degree in School Library and Information Technologies. This Handbook, along with a
LibGuides located at http://libraryschool.libguidescms. will provide you will information about the
courses, leadership, advocacy, etc.
1. Getting Started
Homepage
Please bookmark the SL&IT homepage, http://sl-it.mansfield.edu.
Computer - Hardware/Software Guidelines
Students are responsible for ensuring that the equipment is appropriate for use in this program.
Students are encouraged to use a Windows operating system, however arrangements can be made
if a student chooses to use another system.
Students are encouraged to use Microsoft Office for assignments that require word processing
(Word), spreadsheets (Excel), Publisher, or presentations (PowerPoint). Department instructors
and professors will use Microsoft Office when distributing documents and expect all documents
to be submitted in a .doc or .docx format.
Additionally, some assignments in the program will require the use of web cameras and
microphones. Students are expected to have clear audio and visual for these assignments.
Students should buy and maintain updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software due to file
sharing.
Activating Account Information
Visit MyAccount Information page (https://info.mansfield.edu/myaccount/) to activate your
accounts, you will need the Student ID number provided at the top of your Admissions
Confirmation Letter and/or the SL&IT Welcome letter. Your ID# is seven (7) digits. The
MyAccounts Information page will list your sign-in information for:
 MyMansfield - http://my.mansfield.edu/

Mounties Email Account - https://login.microsoftonline.com

Desire2Learn (online courseware) - https://mansfield.desire2learn.com/
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
WebAdvisor (academic record resource to access registration, grades, unofficial
transcripts, and financial info including paying tuition bills) https://webadvisor.mansfield.edu

Barcode information to access the Mansfield library catalog and online databases.
Step 1: Activating MyMansfield Accounts
Locate your MyMansfield username and password by accessing MyAccounts
(https://info.mansfield.edu/myaccount/). Your student ID number will be listed on your
SL&IT Department acceptance letter.
Open a new window and go to http://my.mansfield.edu/. You may want to bookmark this
page as it contains links to all your Mansfield related accounts. Log in by clicking the blue
and white arrow on the left hand sidebar. When prompted type your credentials into the box
and click ok.
For more information on your Mansfield accounts visit the MU SLIT Orientation
LibGuide. If your are in need of assistance, contact Campus Technologies at 570-6624357 or use the contact form at http://ct.mansfield.edu/contact-us.cfm.
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Step 2: Using the MU Email Account
You will want to be sure that your email service is not filtering MU emails. List the MU
domain (mansfield.edu) as a safe sender in your email preferences.
All department communications are conducted via your new Mounties email instead of
personal email accounts. In order to be successful in the program, students should check
their Mounties (MU) email account at least two to three times each week, reliable e-mail
communication is critical!
Besides SL&IT communications, you will receive via your MU email account essential
information from the university. For example, approximately 3-4 weeks before the start of
each semester the Student Accounts Office will email instructions for accessing your tuition
bill. The invoice is only available online and you will NOT receive a paper bill.
Another reason for using your MU email account, the university is prohibited by federal
privacy laws from sharing private information with anyone who cannot be identified as our
student. Though it's difficult to establish with 100% certainty who you are online, login to
the password-protected MU email account provides more security than an email from a nonMU address. Consequently, you are required to use your MU address for formal requests
involving personal information (e.g. account or financial aid balances, registration requests,
name changes, etc.).
If you need help activating your MU email account contact MU's Campus Technologies
Department(570-662-4357 / http://ct.mansfield.edu/contact-us.cfm)
Desire2Learn and Technical Support
For assistance with Desire2Learn (D2L) review MU's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page
or submit a question through the "Help-Support Widget" located on D2L. Additional resources
are available on MU's Desire2Learn Resources for Students page.
Registering for Courses
Current students will use WebAdvisor, MU’s online student data system, to register for courses
each semester. Advisers register new and returning students who do not have an active account.
To login to WebAdvisor use your MU email name as the ID (e.g. jonesm) and the password
provided by the My Account page (see Activating Account Information).
A “gate” system is used in which students register according to completed credits. Gate 1 is open
to students with 18 or more credits, followed by students with 9 or more credits for Gate 2. All
others register during Gate 3. Prior to registration you will receive frequent announcements with
information on available courses.
You are encouraged to register as soon as your gate opens. If you cannot register by the deadline
contact your adviser, who will help you register if space is available. You will need adviser
permission to register for more than two classes. Students approved for three or more classes
generally work less than full time or have special circumstances. The average student spends 6-
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10 hours per week on each course. You should consider time for personal commitments and work
schedules before registering for more than one class.
Spring and Fall Semesters
The Fall and Spring semesters are 15 weeks long. The Fall semester usually begins during the
last week in August and the Spring semester begins at the end of January.
Summer Session
Due to the intensive work load, summer students may only register for up to 6 credits without
a petition signed by your adviser. Classes are 11 weeks long and begin in May. Since summer
courses are billed by the number of credits, full-time status option is not available which
means that financial aid cannot be applied to your Summer Session bill.
Textbooks
Required textbooks information can be found in Web Advisor. All textbooks are available via
the MU Bookstore at http://www.mansfieldbookstore.com. Expect at least 4-5 days to receive
your textbooks. If you experience problems with your order contact the Bookstore, 1-800-5776798 or (570) 662-4922. Book store hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. Students may
also purchase textbooks from online sources.
Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar provides very helpful information about important dates. It indicates
when classes start, when classes can be added or dropped, and the deadline for withdrawing from
classes. Access the Registrars webpage (http://esd.mansfield.edu/registration-information.cfm)
and click on the Academic Calendar summary.
2. Academic Support
Faculty Advisers
The School Library program has two advisers. Deb Kachel (dkachel@mansfield.edu) advises
scholarship recipients; Cindy Keller (ckeller@mansfield.edu), SL&IT Program Director, advises
all other students as well as the students preparing for the variable 1 or 3 credit culminating
course, LSC 5565 School Library Practicum. Cindy answers questions regarding certification,
reciprocity, and Praxis. Students may also contact Jill Scott (jlscott@mansfield.edu), SL&IT
department secretary, for help with registration.
Courses and Instructors
For a list of courses and descriptions, visit http://sl-it.mansfield.edu/courses.cfm. For
information about SL&IT instructors, see the brief faculty biographies at http://slit.mansfield.edu/faculty/index.cfm. From time to time, due to changes in personal commitments
and availability, other instructors may be assigned to teach a particular course. In any event, the
instructor assigned will be well qualified to teach the course.
While courses are listed in numeric order there is no prescribed sequence, with one exception.
LSC 5565, School Library Practicum, is offered only in the fall and spring semesters and cannot
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be taken until you complete at least 21 credits, including LSC 5501 and LSC 5531. For further
guidance see the Recommended Course Path, at: http://sl-it.mansfield.edu/recommendedcourse-path.cfm.
Beginning a Course
The direct link to the Desire2Learn software that we use for our courseware is:
https://mansfield.desire2learn.com/
Your D2L log-in will be the first part of your email address with @mansfield.edu (without
including .mounties) and your school issued password (first letter of your first name, first three
letters of your last name, first 4 of your social security number, $).
For example: Marian Y. Wilson (ss # 213-45-0000)
Login: wilsonmy01@mansfield.edu
Password: mwil2134$
Once you have logged onto D2L follow the steps in the tutorial below (if the video below does
not work properly click tutorial for the direct link):
Step 1: Select the correct semester and course.
Step 2: Read all announcements in the course. When new announcements are added to a
course you will receive a notification in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Click on the content tab and begin reviewing the syllabus, assignment due dates, and
other posted course documents.
Step 4: Read all module content and required readings before beginning assignments. If you
have a question about an assignment review module content before contacting the instructor.
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Online Courses and Student Responsibilities
Students must check their courses on a regular basis. Instructors often place important
information and changes in the announcement section that students need in order to complete
their assignments successfully. If you do not check their courses regularly you may miss valuable
introductory material or information that provides background, definitions, ground rules or news
about required readings or assignments. We recommend logging into courses at least three times
each week.
Library Resources
MU's North Hall Library maintains a large collection of online resources. North Hall has a
webpage specifically for online students. It can be found at
http://mansfield.libguides.com/distance. To access the North Hall home page, visit
http://lib.mansfield.edu.
Specific information for Library Science students from North Hall can be found at
http://mansfield.libguides.com/schoollibrary.
To search for books, journal subscriptions, and other library materials, users can utilize the
Search Everything feature found at the library home page or using the databases listed at
http://mansfield.libguides.com/schoollib.
The library provides phone and email reference support. Reference librarians will help you with
databases and suggestions for effective search strategies. Call them, at 570-662-4671, or submit a
question via their online form, at http://mansfield.libguides.com/help.
3. PARTICIPATING IN A COURSE
Submitting Assignments
When submitting assignments, students must follow these procedures:
1. Unless otherwise stated, file names must be in the following format:
Keller_1_1_storytelling_5505
(Name, Module, Assignment number, Brief Descriptor, Course Number—all connected
by the underscore character)
2. Copies of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition) can be purchased
from the Mansfield University Book Store. Students may also purchase textbooks from
online sources. Instructors will not accept other citation styles. You may also construct
citations using www.easybib.com or other web tools (unless instructed otherwise), however
you will be responsible for making sure all citations are in the correct format.
3. You are expected to submit assignments by the deadlines listed in your course calendar or
syllabus. If you take a vacation you are still responsible for submitting work on time. If you
cannot meet a deadline, it is your responsibility to contact your instructor to request an
extension. If you submit an assignment late without permission the instructor will deduct
points. The Grading and Late Submission Policy is posted in each course syllabus.
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4. You are expected to participate equally in group or partner activities. If you do not
participate fully or constructively, you will receive a deduction in grade. Begin projects
early to give peers an opportunity to share their thoughts and comments. Also keep in mind
that the SL&IT department has students from many different states and countries, and you
may participate in group work with students from different time zones. Starting projects
early, and replying to group members promptly, will guarantee that projects are a
productive experience for all group members.
5. Submit assignments according to the instructions given by your instructor. These could
include using the Desire2Learn Dropbox, attaching files to an email, or attaching files in a
Forum discussion. Points will be deducted if you do not follow instructions.
6. Save assignments in electronic format for the electronic portfolio that is a required
assignment in the culminating School Library Practicum course, LSC5565 (specifically the
ALA/AASL assignments and those that are identified with a Portfolio graphic). During
Practicum you will create an electronic portfolio representing significant work completed
throughout the program. The examples you include in the portfolio will provide evidence
that you have met all the ALA/AASL standards.
7. Students should create back up files of all course work on USBs, external hard drives,
and/or cloud technologies.
Grading
All instructors will apply the following grading system:
GRADE
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
D-
PERCENT
100-95
94-90
89-87
86-83
82-80
79-77
76-73
72-70
69-67 *
66-63 *
62-60 *
* Does not count toward graduation. Students must
maintain a 3.0 QPA, which is a B, to graduate with a
Master's Degree. Each instructor will inform their
students about penalties for late submission of
assignments.
Each instructor follows the grading scale indicated above. However, instructors may apply their
own grading criteria for judging student work. All assignments are accompanied by rubrics that
clearly delineate the criteria that will be used to judge the final product. You should pay close
attention to the criteria for each individual assignment. In addition, follow closely the schedules
provided by the instructors that indicate when assignments are due.
You should check your grades frequently (click the Grade button in your Desire2Learn course).
If you suspect an error, contact your instructor immediately. This is especially important as the
course nears the end of the semester. The final week of class is usually a very busy one and it is
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much easier for instructors to fix an incorrect grade before the final grades are submitted to the
Registrar’s Office.
To check on your cumulative grades or transcript access the Student Menu in WebAdvisor. If
you forget your WebAdvisor login or password, click on the link for Students from the
WebAdvisor homepage (or follow the link in the line above) and find the User Account section.
Next click the link that reads: What's my password? If you follow the instructions there,
WebAdvisor will e-mail this information to your MU e-mail account.
Dropping and Adding Courses
You may ADD a course during the first seven calendar days of a semester and DROP a course
during the first six calendar days of semester using WebAdvisor. In general, you should always
consult your adviser before making course changes (i.e. adds or drops).
Last minute course additions must be approved by both the instructor and adviser.
Withdrawals and Incompletes
When deciding to withdraw from a course you must email the course instructor (cc the adviser).
Since withdraws, by definition, occur after the drop period you will not receive a full refund. For
details on withdraw policies see http://esd.mansfield.edu/registrar/graduate-policies/WithdrawalFrom-a-Course/
Withdrawal from a Course/University
http://esd.mansfield.edu/forms-and-policies/upload/Withdrawal_University-012814.pdf
After the drop period, students may withdraw from a semester course until 4 p.m. on the
Friday of the tenth week of classes. For summer withdrawal dates, please refer to the
Registrar’s Office website.
Graduate students must complete a course withdrawal form and have it signed by the
course instructor. Once the form has the required signature, the form should be
submitted to the Registrar’s office. A “W” will be recorded in the permanent record and
will not be included when calculating the grade point average (GPA).
A graduate student who withdraws from all courses is automatically withdrawn from
the University.
Incomplete (I)
A grade of I is used to denote unfinished course work because of serious mitigating
circumstances beyond the student’s control. It is a privilege granted because of
circumstances, not a right to be expected by the student.
The I grade is submitted by professors at their discretion on the grade report form at the
end of the semester. The professor and the student will identify the specific
requirements to be satisfied in order to convert the I to a letter grade. The student is
responsible for the removal of an I grade by the end of the fourth week of the
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subsequent semester except in cases where serious circumstances prevail and a request
for an extension is made by the faculty member to the Registrar’s Office. If the
incomplete grade is not cleared within the allotted time period, a final grade of “F” is
recorded.
Until the incomplete is satisfied you will not be allowed to take additional courses.
Continuous Enrollment Option vs. Withdrawal
If you do not register in the fall or spring semesters or drop all courses the Registrar will
withdraw you from the university (summer registration is optional). As an alternative, you may
enroll in a special course, ED 5600, to maintain active status. The “course” is free and has no
class activities or requirements (it’s simply a convenient way of indicating that you are still an
active student). If you anticipate taking one or two semesters off contact your adviser. You may
enroll in ED 5600 a total of three times. During open registration periods you may register
yourself via WebAdvisor. However, if you drop a course be sure to add ED 5600 first then drop
the other course(s), as WebAdvisor does not allow you to drop all classes, even if you intend to
add another.
Academic Dishonesty
In the SL&IT program we expect you to practice the highest ethical standards. School librarians
expect nothing less from their students in local school districts, and you should serve as a role
model for K-12 students in their educational pursuits. School librarians are also trained to teach
and implement legal uses of copyrighted materials, respecting the rights of ownership of
information. Depending on the circumstances, scholarship students who commit an academic
integrity infraction may lose their scholarship.
In addition to the official MU policy, the SL&IT department adds the following statement to each
course syllabus:
Students are expected to do their own academic work and submit original work. Where
resources and sources of information are used, credit must be given to the original source,
following the citation format of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
Dishonesty in academic work, including cheating, academic misconduct, fabrication, or
plagiarism is unacceptable. Deliberate plagiarism as well as unintentional plagiarism is a
serious issue. Additionally, unauthorized multiple submission of academic work is subject to
the same penalties as plagiarism.
Any form of cheating, which includes plagiarism or collusion, may result in an F for the course
and/or the filing of academic dishonesty charges with the Provost's office. Students are advised
not to lend or share previous course work with other students, as this could lead to work being
used by others for academic advantage. It should be noted that in this situation, the original
owner of the course work will be liable for academic action regardless of his/her knowledge or
lack of the other student's intent.
Additional information concerning academic dishonesty can be found on the Academic
Dishonesty Reporting Form which outlines the procedures faculty will use to initiate
disciplinary action and the Academic Integrity webpage.
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The following is a link to a ten-minute interactive tutorial from Acadia University designed to
teach students the basics of avoiding plagiarism by learning why, when, and how to cite
information sources: http://library.acadiau.ca/tutorials/plagiarism/
Clearances and Affiliation Agreement
Prior to participating in field experiences for any SL&IT course, students who are already
certified teachers need to submit evidence that they have met the clearances required for the state
in which they reside or in which they perform a field experience. You will not be eligible for
registration if you have not previously submitted documentation for clearances. You can satisfy
the requirement in two ways:
a. Submit our form letter, signed by a building principal or the Human Resources Office,
stating that you have met the clearances requirements of your state, or
b. Submit copies of individual documentation for clearances
If you are not a certified teacher you still must meet all requirements for PA clearances: Act 34,
Act 151, TB Tine test, and an FBI background check (see PDE's Background Checks page).
An FAQ and information page about clearances can be found at http://sl-it.mansfield.edu/currentstudents/clearances.cfm.
Students must also submit an Affiliation Agreement, a legal document outlining the duties, terms,
conditions and responsibilities of the university and school district(s) in which you plan to
perform field experiences. Similar to clearances, a signed Affiliation Agreement must be on file
prior to participating in a field experience or practicum. Mail both your clearance documentation
and affiliation agreement to the SL&IT office, in care of:
Jill Scott, 207 Retan, Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA 16933 (570-662-4790 /
jlscott@mansfield.edu).
Additional Information for Graduate Policies - See Graduate Catalog
4. GETTING READY TO GRADUATE
LSC 5565, School Library Practicum (1 or 3 credits)
In order to register for the culminating course you must have first completed at least 21 credits
including LSC 5501 Instructional Collaboration and LSC 5531 School Library Advocacy and
Leadership.
If you are a certified SLMS and have worked as a school librarian for at least one year prior to
registering for the culminating Practicum you may submit a form, signed by your building
principal, to qualify for the one credit option. The one credit SLP requires the completion of an
electronic portfolio and select assignments, but not a 100-hour field experience. If your state
does not require a face to face Practicum under the supervision of a mentor for certification, you
also may qualify for the one-credit Practicum.
If you are ineligible for the one credit Practicum you will need to take the three credit SLP which
requires the electronic portfolio, select assignments, and documented completion of a 100-hour
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field experience in a school library. The Department Chair (Cindy Keller) must give her
permission for you to take either the one or three credit Practicum course and will complete the
registration process for you.
Intent to Graduate: The Praxis Test and Certification Process
As you near the end of the online program you must perform the following procedures (the
certification application is optional):
1. One year prior to your anticipated graduation date login to WebAdvisor and submit the
Application for Graduation (listed on the Student menu, under Academic Profile). The
form will initiate a records audit to verify your eligibility for certification and/or graduation.
If your graduation date changes for any reason after you have submitted this form, or if you
have any questions about the process, call or email Ryan Stanley at 570-662-4201
(rstanley@mansfield.edu).
2. If the Praxis test in Library Science is required for your state certification, schedule the
PRAXIS test(s) near the completion of the program. For information about the test and test
resources use the official web site for the Educational Testing Service at
https://www.ets.org/praxis for dates and other information.
3. For information about certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education go to
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=506890&mode=2
Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) instructions are provided by Lori Cass,
Certification Officer, Enrollment Services, 224 South Hall. The Mansfield University
Certification Officer, Lori Cass (lcass@mansfield.edu), verifies that you have completed
the required coursework, successfully passed the Praxis test(s), and affirms your completed
online application through TIMS directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
While waiting for PDE to process your certification application, you may go online through
TIMS to check the status of your request. If you have further questions, contact Lori Cass
(lcass@mansfield.edu) or visit MU’s Certification web site at
http://mansfield.edu/teacher/certification/.
School Library Certification
School Library Certification for Pennsylvania Residents
Pennsylvania certified teachers who complete the following 31-33 credit program with a 3.0
GPA or better can request the addition of “Library Science” to their teaching certificate by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). This certification is granted for grades K- 12.
Candidates for the certification concentration:

Have earned at least a B in the four core special education courses, required by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education, or their equivalent:
o SPE 5501 - Educating Children with Exceptional Learning Needs
o SPE 5530 - Diverse Cultural and Linguistic Learners
o SPE 5542 - Assessment and Behavior Management
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o SPE 5544 - Instruction for High Incidence Disabilities

Completed 10 core courses of the School Library & Information Technologies graduate
program

Completed the culminating, one- or three-credit School Library Practicum (LSC 5565)
course

Earned at least a 3.0 GPA in graduate course work

Passed the state-required Library Media Specialist PRAXIS II Test

Although Pennsylvania certified teachers can become certified school librarians by
passing the Library Media Specialist PRAXIS II Test, completion of the School Library
& Information Technologies program fully prepares the candidate for the rigors of the
job.
School Library Certification for Non-Pennsylvania Residents
Out-of-state students may seek Pennsylvania school library certification by applying for
reciprocity to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pennsylvania has reciprocal
certification agreements with all states. Known as the Interstate Agreement, this provision
allows teachers certified in a particular state to teach in reciprocal states, sometimes with
additional requirements. Even though Pennsylvania may have a reciprocal certification
agreement with another state, out-of-state students must contact their state’s department of
education to identify additional requirements needed for transferring PA library certification to
their state.
An out-of-state student who wishes to earn Pennsylvania school library certification first and
then use the Interstate Agreement to secure certification in his or her state needs to meet these
Pennsylvania requirements:

Hold a baccalaureate degree

Have completed a state-approved teacher education program, including a supervised
student teaching experience, leading to a teaching certificate

Have taken at least three (3) credits of college-level English composition coursework,
three (3) credits of college-level English literature coursework and six (6) credits of
mathematics courses (at least undergraduate level)

Passed the Educational Testing Services (ETS) test for Library Science:
o Post-baccalaureate candidates must take the specific certification area test(s). If
you are already certified and adding another certificate, you only have to take
the test(s) corresponding to the new certification area. PRAXIS II Test for
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Library Media Specialist
o Note: the PRAXIS II test should be taken near or at the end of the School
Library & Information Technologies program

Completed all required courses in the School Library & Information Technologies
program (31-33 credits) which includes either the one or three-credit School Library
Practicum (LSC 5556) culminating experience course (see Practicum information
above).

Have earned at least a B in four core special education courses, required by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education, or their equivalent:
o
o
o
o
SPE 5501 - Educating Children with Exceptional Learning Needs
SPE 5530 - Diverse Cultural and Linguistic Learners
SPE 5542 - Assessment and Behavior Management
SPE 5544 - Instruction for High Incidence Disabilities

Have earned at least a 3.0 GPA in graduate coursework

Received the recommendation from the Certification Officer at Mansfield University
Career Center
The Career Center of Mansfield University is available to all MU students and alumni. Services
include resume critique, job postings, career fairs, etc. For more information about these services
visit their homepage, at: http://career.mansfield.edu/.
The Career Center also offers an online job & internship listing site called Mountie Career
Connection. Mountie Career Connection is free to all students and alumni of Mansfield
University. Online job & internship listings, appointment and event booking service, on-campus
interview schedules, career resources, and more!
5. CONTACTS FOR SPECIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE
Act 48 Credits: Pennsylvania students who wish to receive Act 48 Credits for their MU courses must
submit those courses online, to https://www.edulinkinc.com/act48Provider/ (click on Professional
Educator to create an account and enter the courses). Be certain to maintain your account
information for future accessing of the website. Any additional questions should be directed to the
Act 48 Administrator, Lori Cass (lcass@mansfield.edu).
Billing Questions: If you experience any problems or concerns with bills from MU contact the Student
Accounts Office, by phone (570-662-4888), or by emailing Julie Cimino (jcimino@mansfield.edu).
CLEP Placement Tests: For information about CLEP contact MU’s Career Development Center
(570-662-4133) or visit the College Board’s web page, at:
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http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/exams.html
Changing Names or Other Personal Data: If you change your name or address email the Registrar’s
Office with a cc to your adviser, instructors, and the SL&IT secretary.
Library (18-digit) Barcode: If your library barcode does not work contact North Hall Library
Information Desk, at: http://lib.mansfield.edu/askref.cfm (570-662-4671). The number can be found on
you’re My Accounts page.
Reciprocity: If you are seeking certification in a state other than Pennsylvania, see our Guide to
Reciprocity and Certification, at: http://sl-it.mansfield.edu/current-students/reciprocity.cfm
Student Records: For questions about your academic record, or to request transcripts, contact the
Registrar's Office (registrar@mansfield.edu), 570-662-4202. You can also download many forms, at:
http://esd.mansfield.edu/registrar/forms/.
Transferring Credits: If you have taken graduate courses for credit at other institutions and wish to
transfer them, you need to supply a description of the courses and syllabi to the Department Chair for
review. MU will allow the transfer of up to six credits, providing:



the courses are comparable to ours, in content and rigor
the courses are graduate level
you earned a grade of B or higher, and
The Transferring Credits form can be found at http://graduate-studies.mansfield.edu/forms.cfm.
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MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY – DEVELOPING TOMORROW’S LEADERS
At Mansfield University, we develop leaders. We accomplish this by focusing on the four core values
that have been our tradition since 1912: Character, Scholarship, Culture, and Service.
CHARACTER
We believe in integrity. We act with honesty and respect toward others. We take responsibility for our
actions and reflect on their impact on ourselves and others.
SCHOLARSHIP
We believe in learning. We use rigorous, responsible, and critical inquiry to understand existing
knowledge, acquire and share new knowledge, and apply what we learn. Each of us is both student and
teacher.
CULTURE
We believe in celebrating humanity. We enrich ourselves and others by sharing and exploring our
similarities and differences. We honor the past as we invent the future.
SERVICE
We believe in helping others. We work with others to improve the communities in which we now live
and will touch in the future. Knowledge invests us with the power to improve our world and the
responsibility to act.
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