Advanced Special Student

Advanced Special Student (AdSS) status is granted by the Graduate School as a non-degree seeking status. It is particularly useful for continuing education and is not intended to be used as a preparatory status for later admission to the master's or doctoral program. AdSS who wish to apply later for admission to the program as a degree student should be advised that only six credits earned while in this status may be applicable to a degree. AdSS may register for Information Studies courses in accordance with iSchool policy and with college approval on a space available basis.

Jewish Studies

MLS candidates may pursue a non-degree graduate certificate in Jewish Studies and may apply the 12 credits of the certificate toward their MLS degree

School Library Media (SLM) Certification Program for MLS Holders

The School Library Media (SLM) Program was designed to ensure that graduates meet the requirements for certification as a school library media specialist as outlined in Section 13A.12.03.03 of the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). According to COMAR, there are two routes to school library media certification in the State:

• completion of a State-approved program, such as the SLM Program, and recommendation by the College to the Maryland State Department of Education
• completion of a number of specialized courses within or beyond a master's degree as determined directly by the Certification Division of the Department of Education.

The College of Information Studies offers a Certification Program designed to enable holders of the MLS degree to become eligible for certification under the second option (sometimes called the "credit count" option). Only holders of ALA-accredited MLS degrees are eligible for this program, and program participants must meet SLM Program requirements as well as those of the State. Because the SLM program requirements exceed minimum State requirements, program participants generally take more courses than those specified by the State. Program completers are eligible for recommendation by the College to the State as having mastered the same knowledge and skills as those regularly enrolled in the iSchool SLM Program.

To enter the Certification Program, a prospective applicant makes an appointment with Dr. Ann Weeks, to review his or her MLS-degree transcripts and to develop an individualized plan of study. The plan ensures that applicants meet SLM program requirements as well as those outlined in COMAR. These requirements are as follows:

• Three core courses common to the iSchool MLS degree:
  • LBSC 650 Information Access
  • LBSC 670 Information Structure
  • LBSC 690 Information Technology
• Seven specialized courses related directly to the roles and responsibilities of the School Library Media Specialist:
  • LBSC 640 Library Media Specialists as Information Professionals
  • LBSC 641 Selecting and Evaluating Resources for Learning
  • LBSC 642 Integrating Technology into Learning and Teaching
  • LBSC 645 Literature and Materials for Children or LBSC 646 Literature and Materials for Young Adults
  • LBSC 741 School Library Media Program Administration
  • LBSC 742 Collaborative Instructional Design and Evaluation
  • LBSC 744 Field Study in School Library Media Programs
• For those without teaching backgrounds, one 3-credit course in learning theory and one 3-credit course in classroom methods/management. These courses may be at the graduate or undergraduate level.

Generally, MLS-degree holders meet the requirements of the three core courses noted above; often, they meet the requirement for knowledge of children's or young adult literature as well. If they have successfully taken courses in any of the other topics noted above, they are also considered to meet those requirements. On-the-job experience is not considered a substitute for academic work in any of these areas.

Once a student has been accepted into the Certification Program, he or she registers with the University of Maryland as an Advanced Special Student (AdSS)-the University category for non-degree-seeking students. The student also develops a course plan with Dr. Weeks, who places it on file in the Student Services Office. Only students with such plans on file are eligible to take the specialized SLM Program courses. /The College does not allow Advanced Special Students other than those enrolled in the Certification Program to take any courses except core courses./ Certification students work with Dr. Weeks and the Student Services Office to ensure that they get their planned courses in a timely manner. Although College and University regulations privilege degree students over AdSS for registration for courses, participation in the Certification Program enables students to get the courses they need and to meet requirements as quickly as possible within their personal schedules.