Diploma and Certificate in Teacher-Librarianship

Diploma and Certificate in Teacher-Librarianship

Cultivating Educational Leaders in Literacy and Learning

A teacher librarian plays a crucial role in promoting literacy, supporting curriculum development, and fostering a love for learning within the school community. Beyond managing the library’s collection, they collaborate with teachers to integrate information literacy skills into lessons, helping students navigate and evaluate a wealth of resources.

Teacher librarians curate diverse and inclusive collections that reflect the student body’s interests and identities, ensuring equitable access to information. They also champion technology integration, leveraging digital tools to enhance learning experiences. Most importantly, teacher librarians inspire a culture of inquiry and critical thinking, empowering students to become lifelong learners in an ever-evolving world.

If you’re passionate about education, innovation, and making a lasting impact on young minds, a career as a teacher librarian offers a fulfilling and rewarding journey.

Explore Teacher-Librarianship through our Certificate or Diploma. Both programs offer flexibility in course selection. Students are encouraged to take the required courses in any order, and at their own pace.

This program is offered by the Department of Language and Literacy Education.

Quick Info

Format: Online
Start Dates: Sept, Jan, May & June
Application Deadlines: July 31, Nov 30, Mar 2 & June 21

Apply Now

Program Details

Certificate

The Certificate in Education – Teacher-Librarianship is a 15-credit program. Courses for the Certificate should be selected in consultation with individual school districts, as hiring and qualification policies vary. If your school district does not require specific courses, options for completion of the certificate are:

  • Any 5 of the 7 core courses or
  • Any 4 of the 7 core courses plus 1 course in Literature & Literacy in Education or Children’s Literature

Core Courses

  • LIBE 461 Administration of the School Library Resource Centre – 3 credits
  • LIBE 463 Selection of Learning Resources – 3 credits
  • LIBE 465 Organization of Learning Resources – 3 credits
  • LIBE 467 Information Services I – 3 credits
  • LIBE 477B Special Topics in Teacher Librarianship (focus in New Media & New Technologies in the School Library Program) – 3 credits
  • LLED 462 School Library Resource Centre Programs – 3 credits
  • LLED 469 Inquiry-Based Pedagogy in School Library Programs – 3 credits

Language & Literacy in Education

  • LLED 450, 451, 453, 454, 456
  • LLED 452 Disciplinary Literacies: Intermediate Through Secondary – 3 credits
  • LLED 459 Trends and issues in Literacy Instruction – 3 credits

Children’s Literature

  • LLED 440-445, 449
  • LLED 441 Introduction to Teaching Children’s Literature – 3 credits
  • LLED 446 Teaching with Illustrated Materials, K-12: From Picture Books to Information Texts – 3 credits

Program Completion

If enrolled in the Certificate program, you have 5 years to complete all 15 required course credits. This five-year time period is counted from the date of the first course started. For example, Winter 2024, Term 1 is when you started your first course. Your completion date would be Winter 2029, Term 1.

When you have successfully completed your 15-credit certificate program, you may apply for a certificate by filling out the Certificate of Completion Request Form.

Certificate to Diploma

If you wish to move from the certificate to the diploma stream, this requires a separate application from the diploma. Please contact admissions.educ@ubc.ca.

Diploma

The Diploma in Education – Teacher-Librarianship is a 30-credit program. This diploma meets all the course recommendations of the Canadian School Library Association. Requirements for completing the diploma are:

  • All 7 core courses and
  • 1 course in Children’s Literature and
  • 1 course in Language & Literacy Education and
  • 1 elective course

Core Courses

  • LIBE 461 Administration of the School Library Resource Centre – 3 credits
  • LIBE 463 Selection of Learning Resources – 3 credits
  • LIBE 465 Organization of Learning Resources – 3 credits
  • LIBE 467 Information Services I – 3 credits
  • LIBE 477B Special Topics in Teacher Librarianship (focus in New Media & New Technologies in the School Library Program) – 3 credits
  • LLED 462 School Library Resource Centre Programs – 3 credits
  • LLED 469 Inquiry-Based Pedagogy in School Library Programs – 3 credits

Children’s Literature

  • LLED 440-445, 449
  • LLED 441 Introduction to Teaching Children’s Literature – 3 credits
  • LLED 446 Teaching with Illustrated Materials, K-12: From Picture Books to Information Texts – 3 credits

Language and Literacy Education

  • LLED 450, 451, 453, 454, 456
  • LLED 452 Disciplinary Literacies: Intermediate Through Secondary – 3 credits
  • LLED 459 Trends and issues in Literacy Instruction – 3 credits

Elective Courses

  • Any 400 level course with the prefix: LLED or LIBE
  • EDCP 362, EDCP 460, EDCP 470, EDCP 473

Program Completion

If enrolled in the Diploma program, you have 5 years to complete all 30 required course credits. This five-year time period is counted from the date of the first course started. For example, Winter 2024, Term 1 is when you started your first course. Your completion date would be Winter 2029, Term 1.

Consult with with a program coordinator to confirm successful completion of 30-credits of your diploma program.

Every candidate for a degree must make formal application for graduation. For important application information, dates, and deadlines, please visit the graduation information available on the Student Service Centre (SSC) website.

Full details are posted on UBC’s Graduation website.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission into the Diploma or Certificate in Teacher-Librarianship, you require:

  • A valid teaching degree
  • 2 years teaching experience (can include TOC experience).

Fees

Domestic per credit rate: $221.23

International per credit rate: $1,052.38

Fees are subject to change annually. Only information in the UBC Calendar is official.

How to Apply

Admission for these programs are done on a rolling admission cycle system. Click the “Apply Now” button below and complete the form to apply for admission to the Certificate or Diploma program. Beyond personal information, you will need to list any past post-secondary education including dates attended and details on any credentials earned.

Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • Winter Session Term 1 (September to December) – Application Deadline: July 31
  • Winter Session Term 2 (January to April) – Application Deadline: November 30
  • Summer Session Term 1 (May to June) – Application Deadline: March 2
  • Summer Session Term 2 (July to August) – Application Deadline: June 21

Apply Now

How to Register for Courses

Once you have been accepted into the program, you will need to register for the courses you want to take. You can take them in any order you want. All of the required courses for your Certificate or Diploma must be completed within 5 years.

Using your Campus Wide login ID and password, logon to the Student Service Centre to pay the registration deposit and register in the courses. Due to their popularity, register in Term 1 and Term 2 courses at the same time.

Before registering in courses, check available seating at the Course Schedule. Please note – not all courses are offered in every session or term.

Contacts

For program content questions:

Amber Moore
LIBE Program Coordinator
amber.moore@ubc.ca

Richard Beaudry
LIBE Professor
richard.beaudry@ubc.ca

For application questions or assistance:

Teacher Education Office
604-822-5242
admissions.educ@ubc.ca

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