School Library Media Specialist (SLMS) Certification

Prior to the September 2019 update: With their MI degree, students qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) as a School Library Media Specialist in New Jersey. Once students complete a MI degree program with the School Librarianship concentration and also fulfill the education requirement mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education, each qualifies for a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) as a School Library Media Specialist in New Jersey.

Following the September 2019 update: With their MI degree completed, which includes completion of the School Librarianship concentration, students qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility (CEAS) as a School Library Media Specialist in New Jersey. Additional education requirement courses are not needed.

Students should download the application materials indicated below and follow the instructions regarding what needs to be sent to Student Services. We will submit applications and credentials directly to the New Jersey Department of Education on a student’s behalf.

Any student who holds an MLS/MLIS/MI degree and focused on an area other than School Library Media studies during their program of study, will need to complete additional coursework to meet the state requirements for School Library Media Specialist. Unfortunately, Rutgers cannot review a student’s academic program to determine which courses may need to be taken, but the NJDOE can. 

To receive your SLMS evaluation, please create a NJEdCert account and apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Certificate Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) directly with the NJDOE. An evaluation fee of $170 plus a small service fee must be paid. The DOE will determine the required courses needed and will apply an evaluation fee of $70 towards your evaluation. A credit for the remaining balance of $100 will be available in your NJEdCert account which can be used in the future when applying for your CE or CEAS, after the determined courses are taken. These steps are dictated by the NJDOE. 

For further evaluation questions, please contact the NJDOE directly:

• Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Phone: (609) 292-2070
• Submit questions and communicate directly with customer service staff through your NJEdCert account

Once your evaluation is received, please submit a non-degree application with all necessary paperwork needed by the admission deadline (see non-degree application information listed below).

Please contact Student Services to confirm the successful completion and nomination of certification requirements at mi@comminfo.rutgers or 848-932-7500 before submitting the certification application. The application will only be accepted via email. The application will only be accepted via email.

Please read below to review the process to apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS).

1. Complete the Certification application. After speaking with Student Services to confirm completion of certification requirements, please be sure to fully complete the NJDOE Certification Application and email it directly to mi@comminfo.rutgers.edu. Should you have additional questions or issues when using the above process, please get in touch with the graduate team at The Office of Student Services directly at mi@comminfo.rutgers.edu.

Additionally, because The Office of Student Services at the School of Communication and Information confirms the successful completion of the MI program for students, the certification process typically moves quicker than if students were to apply for certification on their own through the New Jersey Department of Education. It can take one to two weeks to receive the certification once a student’s application and credentials have been submitted to The Office of Student Services, depending on volume at the New Jersey Department of Education. Students who have been waiting more than two weeks should contact Student Services so we may follow up with the Department of Education. 

Understanding the Certification Process

Once The Office of Student Services at the School of Communication and Information confirms successful completion of the MI program or education requirements, the candidate (educator) will be “nominated” for a CE or CEAS directly with the NJDOE.

After a nomination has been uploaded to the NJDOE website, the educator will receive an email directly from the NJDOE – NJEdCert to accept the nomination in the portal. Educators without an account will be prompted to register for a NJDOE account.

Once your account is created, please log into the portal and accept the nomination, answer oath questions and submit a payment of $170.00, plus a small service fee. 

Educators will receive an email when certifications are auto-issued. Issued certificates will appear in your NJEdCert profile. Paper certificates will not be issued.

Should you have additional questions or issues when using the above process, please email the MI program at mi@comminfo.rutgers.edu and use subject heading “SMLS Certification Request”. We appreciate your patience in advance as there have been changes in staffing in SC&I and at the NJDOE, and changes to the NJDOE certification process. Thanks for your cooperation.

For potential students who are interested in taking courses as a non-degree student, the Master of Information program limits non-degree status to students who fit the following criteria:

1. Rutgers MI graduates who did not complete the School Librarianship concentration and/or the education component while completing a MI degree. **Students graduating or recently graduated, please contact the Student Services Team at mi@comminfo.rutgers.edu before submitting a non-degree application.**

2. Degreed librarians who wish to make a career change to school libraries. If a student holds a MI degree and focused on an area other than school library media studies during a program of study, the student will need to complete additional coursework to meet the state requirements for School Library Media Specialist. Rutgers cannot review a student’s academic program, from another institution, to determine which courses may need to be taken.

To receive your SLMS evaluation, please create a NJEdCert account and apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Certificate Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) directly with the NJDOE. An evaluation fee of $170 plus a small service fee must be paid. The DOE will determine the required courses needed and will apply an evaluation fee of $70 towards your evaluation. A credit for the remaining balance of $100 will be available in your NJEdCert account which can be used in the future when applying for your CE or CEAS, after the determined courses are taken. These steps are dictated by the NJDOE. For further evaluation questions, please get in touch with the NJDOE directly:

• Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Phone: (609) 292-2070
• Submit questions and communicate directly with customer service staff through your NJEdCert account

Following the admission cycle deadline, your certification evaluation from the New Jersey State Department of Education will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. If it's determined that you will require four or more courses in order to meet the School Library Media certification, you will not be eligible for the non degree, professional credit program. Four or more courses exceeds the maximum number of courses allowed in the non-degree, professional credit program. If you remain interested, we will update your records in the application portal to reflect your consideration to the Master of Information program. You would be classified as a MI applicant. Be advised that your MI application may require additional documentation.

Non-Degree Application Process

• Complete the Graduate Application by the application deadline:
  • Select "Non-Degree Application" as the Application Type
  • When reaching "Index of Graduate Programs", select "Professional Credit Programs"
  • Select "SC&I Professional Development" as Program Name

• Application requirements include:
  • Official MI transcripts with student’s name, institution's name, and date of degree conferred
  • The State of New Jersey Department of Education evaluation to determine SLMS CE/CEAS eligibility (uploaded as a supporting document)
  • $70 Non-refundable Application Fee (requested immediately after the application is submitted)

Applications must be complete with all the above requirements by the deadline to be considered for admission:

• September Admission: August 1 
• January Admission: December 1 
• May Admission: April 15 

Following the application deadline, completed applications will be reviewed. Applicants will be informed of a decision via mail. Applicants can also check their admission status online.  Once admitted as a non-degree student, students may register for courses but will need to request special permission numbers from the Office of Student Services.