Graduate Certificate in Instruction and Teaching for Librarians and Information Professionals

Library and information science teacher

We are no longer accepting applications for this certificate.

Build the knowledge and skills needed to create and deliver successful and innovative, culturally competent information literacy instruction within the library and information environment.
 

About the Certificate

The four-course, 12-unit Graduate Certificate in Instruction and Teaching for Librarians and Information Professionals provides the foundation for library professionals to become effective teachers and instructional designers.

This certificate may be completed on main campus or through Arizona Online.

Information literacy instruction continues to be a cornerstone of the library profession, and it is imperative that future library professionals keep pace with advances in instruction methodologies and new technologies.

Course topics include Information literacy pedagogy, instructional design principles, online learning and assessment of learning outcomes. You will complete a capstone or internship project, where you will receive hands-on practice in information literacy instruction. You will also examine teaching and learning from different cultural perspectives and how culture and language play a role in how students learn in different environments. 

This certificate is designed to be either a stand-alone online program or stacked with our Master of Arts in Library and Information Science, requiring only one extra course beyond those required for the MLIS, assuming proper course planning. It allows you to complete a distinct specialty that is identified on your transcripts.


Learning Outcomes

  • Organize and manage different components of pedagogy in order to develop your own instructional identity and path for lifelong learning.
  • Implement instructional design models into your own teaching in order to link best practices with appropriate teaching scenarios.
  • Develop quality and effective interactive, online learning objects.
  • Design, deliver and evaluate information literacy lessons for diverse learners that incorporate the latest educational theories, standards and educational technologies.
  • Evaluate your teaching philosophy situated in diverse, learner-centered needs through a critical lens in order to develop inclusive learning objects.

Certificate Requirements

The certificate requires 12 units including 9 units of coursework and 3 units of capstone or internship credit. You must complete all coursework within four years.


Curriculum

Instruction and Teaching for Librarians and Information Professionals Graduate Certificate students take the following four required courses:

Students are required to fill out an ePortfolio three times during the certificate program. They must identify what they have learned and what learning objectives they have fulfilled and how. These are reviewed by the ePortfolio coordinator and assessments are reported back to the College of Information Science Executive Committee three times per year.

We will accept up to 3 units of transfer credit from a graduate program; courses must be approved by the advisor or certificate coordinator. A maximum of 6 units may be used from graduate courses taken in non-degree status.

12 units may be shared from this certificate and our Master of Arts in Library and Information Science (MLIS) program. 6 units may be shared with another certificate in the School. Units cannot be shared among three programs, however.

Students enrolled in this certificate will be able to add or change to the MLIS with the approval of the College of Information Science Admissions Committee. You must be in good academic standing and meet all requirements for admission to the degree program in effect at the time of the request.


Admissions

Application Deadlines

Domestic Applicants

  • Fall Semester: February 15
  • Spring Semester: October 15
  • Summer Semester: March 15

International Applicants

  • Fall Semester: February 15
  • Spring Semester: September 1

How to Apply

To apply, you must complete the University of Arizona Graduate College online application. Follow these steps:

  1. Create a GradApp account
  2. Complete your GradApp profile under "My Account".
  3. Select "Apply to a Program" from the sidebar.
  4. Choose "Graduate Certificate" under application type and then choose the certificate you are interested in.
  5. Choose the semester during which you wish to enter the program.
  6. Your application should now be initiated under "My Active Applications."

Admission Requirements

Applications to our certificate programs are reviewed by our Certificate Coordinator. To be admitted, you must meet the minimum requirements of the University of Arizona Graduate College, which include:

  • A bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona or from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Arizona
  • A grade point average of 2.75 or higher

View All Graduate Certificate Admissions Information


Policies & Resources

Learn more about resources and policies applicable to graduate certificate students, as well as additional academic resources for new and current students, on our Graduate Certificate Policies and Procedures page:

View Graduate Certificate Policies & Resources

Ready to transform your future with a College of Information Science graduate certificate?

Learn more about our graduate certificates by contacting us at infosci-grad@arizona.edu, or review the admissions process and begin your application now:

Start Your Application