It has been almost two years since the Missouri State University Libraries launched the library media specialist graduate certificate program in partnership with the College of Education. Thus far, it has done very well. According to the Graduate Program Director, Crystal Dicke, the program, which began in January 2023, currently has 59 enrolled students.

“We are the fastest growing graduate certificate at the university,” said Tracy Stout, Head of Research and Instructional Services in the Duane G. Meyer Library and a professor who teaches classes in the program. 

Stout is one of four professors who certify students for careers as library media specialists, which are what was traditionally referred to as “school librarians.” The other professors teaching in the spring 2025 semester are Derek Moser, Director of Research Management and Discovery, Raegan Wiechert, Cataloger, and Jessica Bennett, Research, Instruction, and E-Learning Librarian. Joshua Lambert, Head of Access Services, and Crystal Dicke also teach courses in the program. The faculty rotate between semesters. 

“All of the courses are taught by practitioners, which are MSU faculty librarians,” said Moser. 

The 12-credit hour, fully online certificate program includes a foundations course, an administration and leadership course, and classes that tackle information organization and collection development for youth.

“We started small, and wow, have we taken off!” said Dicke. “It’s incredible to see so many awesome future (and current) school librarians joining our program and making a real difference in school libraries across the state.”