History/School Librarianship, BA/MS
Discover a pathway to shape the future by understanding the past. Become an educator who inspires critical thinking and curiosity while preparing the next generation to engage meaningfully with the world.
Forge the Future with History
Our combined degree program enhances your undergraduate studies in history with specialized graduate coursework in school librarianship, preparing you for a meaningful career as a state-certified K-12 teacher-librarian. This unique program blends rigorous academic training with hands-on teaching experience, empowering you to inspire students and lead them in understanding the complexities of the world.
Points of Distinction
Earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years, saving time and money all while preparing you for impactful roles as both a teacher and a certified school librarian.
With a shortage of school librarians, there's a high likelihood of immediate employment upon graduation; you'll be well-prepared to step into this fulfilling career and contribute to the educational success of K–12 students.
The master’s program in school librarianship is fully accredited by the American Library Association, a designation recognized by employers—and one that makes your degree more valuable.
Program Overview
| Academic credential granted | Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Science (MS) |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 140 |
| Time to completion | 5 years or 10 full-time semesters |
| Course delivery | On campus, online |
| Application deadline | Early action deadline: Nov. 15 Scholarship consideration: Dec. 8 Regular decision: Feb. 1 Students can continue to submit an application for fall consideration until capacity is reached. |
An example of how a student may progress through the program
Fall — Semester One
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| UB Seminar | 3 |
| Pathway or ENG 105 Writing and Rhetoric | 3 or 4 |
| HIS 100 or 200 Level | 3 |
| HIS 100 or 200 Level | 3 |
| Pathway | 3 |
| Total | 15 or 16 |
Spring — Semester Two
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Pathway | 3 |
| Pathway or ENG 105 Writing and Rhetoric | 3 or 4 |
| HIS 100 or 200 Level | 3 |
| HIS 100 or 200 Level | 3 |
| Pathway | 3 |
| Total | 15 or 16 |
Fall — Semester Three
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Scientific Literacy SLI1 | 3 |
| Math & Quantitative Reasoning MQR | 4 |
| Pathway | 3 |
| HIS 300 or 400 Level | 3 |
| HIS 300 or 400 Level | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Spring — Semester Four
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Pathway | 3 |
| Scientific Literacy SLI2 | 4 |
| HIS 300 or 400 Level | 3 |
| HIS 300 or 400 Level | 3 |
| Diversity in the United States (DIV) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Fall — Semester Five
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Communication Literacy CL2 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| HIS 300 or 400 Level | 3 |
| CEP 400 Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| UBC 399 UB Capstone | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
Spring — Semester Six
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| HIS 300 or 400 Level | 3 |
| LAI 414 Adolescent Writing Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| LAI 350 Intro to Education | 4 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Fall — Semester Seven
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| HIS 300 or 400 Level | 3 |
| LAI 574 Teaching the Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| LIS 507 Information Life Cycle | 3 |
| LIS 508 Information Users and Use | 3 |
| LIS 524 School Media Center Field Experience | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Spring — Semester Eight
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| HIS 300 or 400 Level | 3 |
| LIS 585 Management of School Library Media Centers | 3 |
| LIS 532 Curriculum Role of the Media Specialist | 3 |
| LIS 568 Computer Applications in the School Library Media Center | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Fall — Semester Nine
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| LIS 534 Resources and Services for Children | 3 |
| LIS 535 Resources and Services for Young Adults | 3 |
| LIS 575 Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
Spring — Semester Ten
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| LIS 518 Reference Sources and Services | 3 |
| LIS 525 School Media Center Practicum | 3 |
| GSE Graduate-level Literacy Course | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
You must apply using the common application to, meet all requirements for, and be accepted to the University at Buffalo' undergraduate program in history offered through the College of Arts and Sciences Department of History.
Students can progress to the graduate portion of the program offered through the Graduate School of Education so long as they maintained good academic standing and carried a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B average). No graduate application is required.
Students also must indicate their desire to matriculate into the MS in Information and Library Science portion of the program by March 1 of their junior year. This intention will trigger a review by the Department of Information Science (GSE) program faculty to ensure the student has maintained a sufficient GPA and has completed appropriate coursework. At this time, students in this program are also expected to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), and complete an interview with the department.
In-State Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Test, the PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic, or DET (Duolingo English Test).
- TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test and 79 for internet-based test
- IELTS Academic Test minimum score is 6.5 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- DET minimum score is 120 overall
- Financial documentation: International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
- K-12 school librarian