BA in History / MS in School Librarianship

This combined degree is a strong fit for students who love history and want to work directly with young people and teachers in a school setting. You’ll graduate prepared to support learning across subjects while bringing the perspective and research skills that come from studying history.

You’ll be prepared to:

• Help K–12 students build strong research and information literacy skills 
• Support reading engagement and access to diverse, inclusive materials 
• Collaborate with teachers to strengthen instruction across the curriculum 
• Lead a school library program that supports student success and curiosity 

You begin in the history major, where you build skills in analysis, research and writing. As you progress, you add graduate school librarianship coursework and field experiences that connect your academic training to real school library work. By the end of the program, you complete supervised experiences that prepare you to enter the profession with confidence.

• Accelerated five-year pathway to a BA in History and an MS in School Librarianship 
• Preparation for work as a state-certified K–12 school librarian 
• A strong mix of academic study and hands-on school-based experience 
• A degree backed by a master’s program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) 
• Career-ready training in library leadership, student support and instructional collaboration 

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Science (MS)
Time to complete: Five years 
Format: On campus with some online coursework 
Certification: Preparation for New York State certification as a K–12 school librarian
Grade levels: Kindergarten through grade 12

You’ll practice history the way historians do, by asking questions, reading critically and building arguments with evidence. You’ll also learn how information works in real life: how students search, how sources get created and shared and how to teach research skills in ways that stick. 

Along the way, you’ll: 

• Work with primary and secondary sources and strengthen evidence-based writing 
• Learn how to guide students to credible sources and responsible citation 
• Explore how libraries support curriculum, equity and student well-being 
• Gain practical experience in school library settings through fieldwork and supervised practice 

By completing this combined degree, you will be able to:

• Evaluate sources for credibility, bias and context 
• Explain historical change and continuity clearly for different audiences 
• Teach students how to search, select and use information responsibly 
• Support literacy development and a culture of reading in schools 
• Build inclusive collections and learning resources that reflect diverse experiences 
• Lead a school library program that supports teaching, learning and student success 

Graduates are prepared for roles such as:

• K–12 school librarian (teacher-librarian)
• Library and information roles supporting youth learning and literacy (in schools or related settings)

If you want to combine the research power of history with the impact of helping students become strong readers and smart researchers, this accelerated pathway gives you a clear route to a career at the center of learning.