Courses

1902 requirements have changed as of fall 2018.    New students will start under the new rules. 

In general, the rules changes are:

• Those who have a bachelor’s degree or higher but not a teaching license will be able to get the 1902 license as an initial teaching license.
• There will no longer be two stages of licensure (1901 and 1902).  The courses for both will be combined into eight courses for the 1902 license with modifications to the courses.  The practicum will be the last course in the program. 
• No master’s degree is required.  The majority of the courses can be done at the undergraduate level.

For details on the requirements for the 1902 initial license for those with no existing teaching license, see the website for each campus:

• UW Oshkosh
• UW Whitewater
• UW Madison (program not yet approved)

Prior to fall 2018, becoming a school library media specialist in Wisconsin is a two-stage process, available to those with an existing teaching license.  Those who began the license courses before fall 2018 fall under these rules for the 1902 license. They will no longer apply for the 1901 and then take three courses to earn the 1902 license.  Instead, they will complete all coursework and then apply for the 1902.   Each current student will receive information from their home campus with details on remaining coursework.  

1901 license (non-renewable)

The 1901 license qualifies you as a school librarian for five years. You must complete the full, renewable 1902 license during your first five years with the 1901 license.  

Courses could be as a graduate student in the UWSSLEC distance program, or on campus at UW  Whitewater campuses, either as an undergraduate  minor or as a special student. As of fall 2018, courses can be taken at the undergraduate level through UWSSLEC for UW Oshkosh and UW Whtiewater students as the master's degree will no longer be required.  UW Madison students must take courses at the graduate level as part of a degree.  This site describes the UWSSLEC program. Check individual campuses for GPA  and portfolio requirements  and for campus licensure expectations.

1901 License Requirements:

• Hold or be eligible for a teaching license in an area other than school library media services
• 21 credits of coursework plus supervised practicum experiences(3 to 6 credits). 

1902 license (renewable) 

This license is done after completing the library practicum and results in a renewable license added to an existing teaching license.

1902 License Requirements:

• Have held an educator license for at least three years
• Have completed the 1901 license
• Complete a master's degree or the equivalent in an approved program  (no longer in effect as of fall 2018)
• Must be completed in full within five years of the 1901 license

This license is available through three courses in the UWSSLEC program.