The School of Information offers an American Library Association accredited degree program that includes the competencies and skills which are essential for a library and information science professional to perform at a high level of proficiency. Students complete a set of six required core courses as the foundation for the degree and can choose a path through additional electives in alignment with their professional goals and interests. The mission of the School of Information Science is to educate students for careers and leadership roles in library and information professions that serve the needs of a culturally diverse, technological society, to contribute to the body of theoretical and applied knowledge in the discipline, and to serve current and emerging needs in the University, the community, and the profession. For students interested in School Library Media as a profession, completion of the USF/SLIS program results in (1) a Master of Arts degree accredited by the American Library Association, which will allow the recipient to work in all types of libraries, (2) a program for Educational Media Specialist approved by NCATE, the National Commission for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and (3) appropriate coursework for passing the state examination for certification as an Educational Media Specialist for Grades K-12 in the state of Florida.