NJCU has never offered an ALA-accredited MLIS degree and its school library media program has been discontinued.
Rutgers University is the only ALA-accredited MLIS program located in New Jersey, though several online options serve state residents.
New Jersey certifies school librarians under the Educational Media Specialist endorsement (code 2855) through two distinct pathways.
New Jersey librarian salaries consistently rank above national averages across public, academic, and school library settings.
New Jersey City University does not offer an ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree and never has. The graduate program NJCU did run, a Master of Arts in School Library Media, has been discontinued and is no longer accepting students. If you arrived here expecting to find an active MLIS program at NJCU, you are not alone; the university's name appears in many library science searches, which creates genuine confusion.
The practical challenge for New Jersey residents is that the state has only one in-state ALA-accredited MLIS program, at Rutgers. That single option shapes tuition expectations, admissions competitiveness, and the timeline for anyone pursuing public, academic, or school library science career paths in the Garden State. Meanwhile, earning a school librarian endorsement in New Jersey follows certification rules that do not require a traditional teaching license first, a distinction that catches many career-changers off guard.
Does NJCU Offer an MLIS Program?
The short answer is no. New Jersey City University has never offered an ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree. If you have seen NJCU mentioned in connection with library science, the reference is almost certainly to a different credential: the School Library Media Specialist concentration within NJCU's M.A. in Educational Technology.1 That program served a narrower purpose than a full MLIS, and its status has changed significantly in recent years.
MLIS vs. School Library Media Specialist: Why It Matters
An MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) is the broadly recognized professional degree for librarians working in public, academic, and special library settings. ALA accreditation of an MLIS program signals that it meets national standards for curriculum depth, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes. Employers across the country, and especially larger library systems, typically require or strongly prefer candidates who hold an ALA-accredited MLIS.
A School Library Media Specialist credential, by contrast, is a K-12 focused certification pathway. It prepares graduates specifically to work as school librarians or media specialists within the public education system. While valuable for that career track, it does not carry the same professional versatility as an MLIS and is not ALA-accredited.
Current Status at NJCU (2025-2026)
As of the 2025-2026 academic year, the standalone M.A. in Educational Technology with a concentration in School Library Media Specialist is discontinued and no longer accepting new students.1 However, NJCU does still offer the active M.A. in Educational Technology, which includes an optional School Library Media Specialist certification pathway.2 A separate track is also available for New Pathways completers seeking the School Library Media Specialist certification through the Educational Technology M.A.3
In practical terms, if you are looking at NJCU today, you can still pursue school library media certification as an add-on within the Educational Technology master's degree, but you cannot enroll in the dedicated concentration that previously existed. NJCU does not offer a graduate certificate in library science either.4
Where to Find an ALA-Accredited MLIS in New Jersey
Rutgers University remains the only institution in New Jersey that offers an ALA-accredited MLIS. For students who need that credential for public, academic, or special library careers, Rutgers is the in-state option. That said, the growth of fully online MLIS programs from ALA-accredited schools in other states has dramatically expanded the choices available to New Jersey residents. We compare several of the strongest alternatives later in this article.
NJCU's School Library Media Specialist Program: What It Was
New Jersey City University offered a graduate program that attracted educators looking to move into school library roles, but it was not an MLIS degree. Understanding what this program actually covered, and who it was designed for, is important for anyone researching NJCU's library science options today.
Program Structure and Focus
The program was structured as a Master of Arts in Educational Technology with a concentration in School Library Media. It typically required 36 credits of coursework spanning educational technology foundations, collection development, information literacy instruction, and media center administration. The curriculum was rooted in education rather than library science broadly, meaning it prepared graduates specifically for K-12 school library settings rather than for public, academic, or special library careers.
Because the degree sat within the College of Education, coursework leaned heavily toward pedagogy, instructional design, and integrating technology into classroom and library environments. Graduates emerged with both a master's degree and the academic preparation needed to pursue New Jersey's Educational Media Specialist endorsement.
Who the Program Served
This concentration was designed primarily for working teachers who already held a valid New Jersey teaching certificate and wanted to add a school library media specialist credential. It was not intended as an entry point for career changers coming from outside education, nor did it function as a general-purpose library science degree. Candidates without prior teaching certification would have faced additional requirements before they could use the credential in a school setting.
Certification Pathway
Completion of the program's required coursework qualified graduates to apply for New Jersey's Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) as a School Library Media Specialist. This state-issued endorsement is distinct from the credentials associated with an ALA-accredited MLIS, which qualifies holders for a wider range of library positions. The NJCU program addressed a narrower, education-specific certification lane.
Current Status
NJCU is no longer admitting new cohorts into this concentration. Students who were already enrolled before the program stopped accepting applicants may still be completing their remaining coursework on an individual basis. If you are in that situation, or if you are unsure whether any pathway remains open, contact NJCU's Office of the Registrar directly for the most current information on your enrollment status and degree completion timeline.
For prospective students exploring this program for the first time, the practical takeaway is straightforward: you will need to look elsewhere for a currently active library science or school library media degree in New Jersey.
MLIS vs. School Library Media Certification: What's the Difference?
If you're exploring library science education in New Jersey, it helps to understand the two main credential paths. An ALA-accredited MLIS opens doors to public, academic, and special library careers, while a School Library Media Specialist certification focuses specifically on K-12 school librarianship. Your ideal path depends on the career scope you want.
Program Cost and Tuition at NJCU
Even though NJCU's School Library Media Specialist program is no longer accepting students, understanding the university's graduate tuition structure is useful for two reasons. First, it gives you a historical proxy for what the program would have cost. Second, it helps you compare NJCU's pricing against ALA-accredited MLIS alternatives in New Jersey.
NJCU Graduate Tuition Rates
For the 2024-2025 academic year, NJCU charged approximately $849 per credit for graduate coursework.1 Full-time in-state graduate tuition ran about $14,854 per year, while out-of-state students paid roughly $23,635.1 The university announced a tuition increase of about 5.5 percent for the 2025-2026 cycle, which would push the per-credit rate closer to $895 or above.3
Using the 2024-2025 rate as a baseline, a 36-credit graduate degree at NJCU would have cost roughly $30,564 in tuition alone for in-state students. Adding mandatory fees and other expenses (estimated at over $16,000 per year for full-time students) would raise the total cost of attendance significantly.4 Keep in mind that these figures are approximate and reflect general graduate pricing, not a program-specific quote for a degree that is no longer offered.
How NJCU Compares to Rutgers MLIS
Rutgers University's School of Communication and Information offers the primary ALA-accredited MLIS in New Jersey. Rutgers graduate tuition for in-state students typically runs higher per credit than NJCU's rates, and out-of-state students pay a substantial premium. While exact Rutgers MLIS per-credit costs vary by year and enrollment status, prospective students should expect a noticeably higher total price tag, particularly for out-of-state or part-time enrollment. The tradeoff, of course, is that Rutgers holds ALA accreditation, a credential that NJCU's program never carried. If budget is a top concern, you may also want to browse cheapest library science degree online options across the country.
Financial Aid Considerations
NJCU offers graduate assistantships and participates in federal financial aid programs, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans. New Jersey residents may also explore state-level support such as the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), though eligibility for graduate students can be limited. The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) is generally reserved for undergraduates. For a broader look at funding options, see our guide to mlis scholarships and financial aid.
One important caveat: because the library media program has been discontinued, institutional scholarships and assistantships tied specifically to that department are almost certainly no longer available. Students considering other active graduate programs at NJCU should confirm current aid eligibility directly with the financial aid office.
Estimated per-credit cost (2024-2025): approximately $849 in-state1
Estimated 36-credit total: roughly $30,564 in tuition (in-state, before fees)
Out-of-state annual tuition: approximately $23,6351
Key financial aid options: federal loans, limited state grants, graduate assistantships for active programs
Questions to Ask Yourself
Do you need an ALA-accredited MLIS, or would a school library media certification meet your career goals?
Public, academic, and special library positions typically require an ALA-accredited MLIS. If your goal is strictly a K-12 school library role in New Jersey, a state-approved certification pathway may be sufficient, and the degree requirements differ.
Are you already a certified New Jersey teacher looking to add a library endorsement?
Teachers with an active NJ instructional certificate can sometimes add a School Library Media Specialist endorsement through shorter graduate programs. Career changers without teaching credentials face a longer path that usually includes both coursework and supervised field experience.
Is staying in New Jersey a firm requirement, or would you consider an online MLIS from an out-of-state ALA-accredited program?
Several ALA-accredited programs offer fully online MLIS degrees that accept New Jersey residents at competitive tuition rates. Broadening your search beyond in-state options can open doors to lower costs, more specialization tracks, and stronger accreditation credentials.
How to Become a School Librarian in New Jersey
New Jersey certifies school librarians under the Educational Media Specialist endorsement (code 2855), which covers preschool through grade 12.1 Importantly, you do not need to hold a teaching certificate before you begin. The state offers two distinct pathways, and which one you follow depends on whether you complete an approved graduate program or piece together your own coursework. For a broader look at the profession across all library types, see our guide on how to become a librarian in New Jersey.
The Two Certification Pathways
Certificate of Eligibility (CE): Designed for career changers and candidates who have not completed a state-approved school library program. You need a bachelor's degree, at least 12 graduate credits in library media, and at least 9 graduate credits in education. You must also pass the Praxis Library Media Specialist exam (test code 5311) with a minimum score of 151. Once hired by a school district, you complete a mentored induction period under a trained mentor before moving to a standard certificate. The application fee through NJEdCert is $170.1
Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS): This pathway is for candidates who finish a New Jersey Department of Education-approved program. These programs typically require 36 graduate credits and bundle the education and library media coursework together.2 Graduates still need to pass the same Praxis exam (5311, score of 151 or higher), but they enter the workforce with a higher-level provisional certificate and a shorter path to a standard license.
The CE route is particularly appealing if you already hold an MLIS or a related master's degree and want to transition into K-12 schools without repeating an entire program. You can fill in just the missing education credits and sit for the Praxis.
NJDOE-Approved Programs
Several New Jersey institutions offer programs that lead directly to CEAS certification for school library media specialists. Current approved providers include:
Rutgers University, which offers a Master of Information with a School Librarianship concentration (36 credits, ALA-accredited)2
William Paterson University
Rowan University
Rutgers is the only option on this list housed within an ALA-accredited program, which matters if you want a credential recognized for both public and school librarianship nationwide. William Paterson and Rowan may be worth exploring for their tuition rates and regional convenience, though you should verify their current program status directly with the NJDOE's approved provider list. For a state-by-state overview of what each state requires, our school librarian certification guide is a helpful starting point.
The Praxis Exam
Regardless of which pathway you choose, you must pass the Praxis Library Media Specialist exam. The current test code is 5311, and New Jersey requires a minimum passing score of 151.1 The exam covers collection development, information literacy instruction, program administration, and technology integration. ETS offers the test year-round at Prometric centers and through at-home testing. Most candidates find the exam manageable after completing their graduate coursework, but practice tests are available through ETS if you want to gauge readiness before scheduling.
Putting It All Together
If you are starting from scratch, the most streamlined approach is enrolling in an approved program like Rutgers' School Librarianship concentration. You earn the degree, satisfy the credit requirements, and prepare for the Praxis in a single cohesive track. If you already have a master's degree in library science or a related field, audit your transcripts against the CE requirements (12 library media credits and 9 education credits), fill any gaps, pass the Praxis, and apply through NJEdCert. Either way, New Jersey's willingness to certify candidates without a prior teaching license makes the school librarian career path more accessible than it is in many other states.
NJ School Librarian Certification: Step-by-Step
New Jersey offers two main paths to school librarian certification. The CEAS (Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing) is for candidates who complete an approved graduate program, while the CE (Certificate of Eligibility) is for those entering from outside education. Both routes lead to the same Standard Certificate after a mentored induction period.
ALA-Accredited MLIS Alternatives for New Jersey Residents
Since NJCU does not offer an ALA-accredited MLIS degree, New Jersey residents need to look elsewhere. Rutgers University's School of Communication and Information (SC&I) is the only in-state ALA-accredited option, but several well-regarded online programs accept students nationwide and may offer competitive tuition or greater scheduling flexibility. Below is a side-by-side look at five programs NJ students commonly consider.
Program
Delivery Format
Approx. Tuition per Credit
Total Credits
School Library Media Track
ALA Accredited
Rutgers University SC&I MLIS (New Brunswick, NJ)
Hybrid (online and on-campus options)
$795 in-state; $1,303 out-of-state
36
Yes (School Librarianship specialization)
Yes
San Jose State University MLIS (San Jose, CA)
Fully online
Approximately $575 (same rate for all students)
40
Yes (Teacher Librarian pathway)
Yes
Syracuse University MS in Library and Information Science (Syracuse, NY)
Fully online
Approximately $1,700
36
Yes (School Media specialization)
Yes
University of South Carolina MLIS (Columbia, SC)
Fully online
Approximately $590 in-state; $1,250 out-of-state
36
Yes (School Librarianship certificate option)
Yes
University of Alabama MLIS (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Fully online
Approximately $475 (online flat rate)
36
Yes (School Library Media concentration)
Yes
Career Outcomes and Salary for NJ Librarians
New Jersey is one of the stronger states in the country for librarian compensation. Whether you pursue a role in a public library system, an academic institution, or a K-12 school media center, salaries in the Garden State consistently outpace the national median. Here is what the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data tells us about the field.
NJ Librarian Salaries vs. the National Median
According to the BLS, the national median annual wage for librarians and library media specialists (SOC 25-4022) was $64,370 as of 2024, with the 10th percentile at roughly $38,690 and the 90th percentile reaching about $101,970.1 New Jersey librarians earn well above that baseline: the mean annual wage in the state was $81,250, roughly 26 percent higher than the national average of $68,570.2
If you work in or near the urban core, the numbers climb higher still. Librarians in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area earned a mean annual wage of approximately $85,660, reflecting both the higher cost of living and the density of well-funded library systems across the region.1 That metro area employed more than 10,680 librarians and library media specialists, making it one of the largest employment clusters for this occupation in the country.
Salary Variation by Role
While BLS data groups librarians into a single occupational code, compensation can vary by setting:
Public librarians: Salaries in NJ public library systems tend to track closely to the statewide mean, with experienced directors in larger county systems often exceeding $100,000.
School library media specialists: NJ school librarians are typically placed on the same salary guides as classroom teachers, which means pay is heavily influenced by district, education level, and years of experience. Starting salaries in many NJ districts fall in the mid-$50,000s to low $60,000s, with veterans in well-funded districts earning significantly more.
Academic librarians: Positions at NJ colleges and universities vary widely. Full-time, tenure-track academic librarian roles tend to offer competitive salaries, but part-time and adjunct positions are common and pay considerably less.
The NJLA 2026 Salary Guide can help you benchmark specific roles and regions within the state.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects a modest 2 percent national growth rate for librarians over the 2022 to 2032 period, which translates to roughly average or slightly below-average demand compared to all occupations.3 That said, New Jersey's position in the densely populated Northeast corridor, combined with strong public library funding and state mandates for certified school librarians, tends to produce a steadier stream of openings than the national projection alone might suggest. Retirements across public and school library systems are also expected to generate additional vacancies in the coming years.
What This Means for Your ROI
With a statewide mean salary above $81,000, New Jersey librarians can generally expect a reasonable return on the investment in a graduate-level library science credential, particularly if total tuition is kept under $30,000. Prospective students should weigh program costs carefully against these salary benchmarks. An affordable, ALA-accredited MLIS remains the most reliable path to qualifying for the higher-paying positions in New Jersey's library job market.
Should You Apply to NJCU for Library Science?
Choosing a graduate program is a major investment, and being honest about what NJCU can and cannot offer right now is essential. The university's library media specialist program has been discontinued, which changes the calculus for anyone specifically pursuing library science credentials. Here is a clear breakdown to help you decide.
Pros
You are interested in a related NJCU graduate program, such as Educational Technology, and want an affordable NJ public university option.
You want to stay connected to NJCU in case the institution reinstates a library media or library science track in the future.
You value in-state public tuition rates and plan to pair a general education degree with separate library certification later.
You are exploring interdisciplinary graduate work that touches on information literacy or instructional design without needing ALA accreditation.
Cons
You need an ALA-accredited MLIS degree to qualify for public or academic librarian positions, which NJCU does not currently offer.
You want to earn New Jersey school librarian certification now; approved programs such as Rutgers are actively enrolling students.
You prefer a fully online MLIS program with flexible scheduling, which NJCU cannot provide for library science at this time.
You are on a tight timeline and cannot wait for a program that may or may not be reinstated in coming years.
You plan to work in archives, youth services, or data science roles that require specialized MLIS concentrations unavailable at NJCU.
Frequently Asked Questions About NJCU and NJ Library Science Programs
Prospective library science students in New Jersey often have questions about what New Jersey City University offers, how to pursue certification, and which programs best fit their goals. Below are answers to the most common questions we receive about NJCU and library science pathways in the state.
Does New Jersey City University have an MLIS program?
No. NJCU does not offer a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. The university previously offered a graduate program in school library media, but it did not confer an ALA-accredited MLIS. Students seeking a full MLIS will need to look at other institutions, including programs that serve New Jersey residents online.
Is NJCU's school library media specialist program still accepting students?
As of 2026, NJCU's school library media specialist program is no longer actively enrolling new cohorts. Prospective students should contact the NJCU Department of Educational Technology directly to confirm the program's current status and whether any related coursework or certification pathways remain available.
What is the only ALA-accredited MLIS program in New Jersey?
Rutgers University's School of Communication and Information offers the only ALA-accredited Master of Information (MI) program physically based in New Jersey. It is available through both on-campus and online formats, making it the primary in-state option for students who need ALA accreditation for public or academic library careers.
How do you become a school librarian in New Jersey without a teaching degree?
New Jersey requires school librarians to hold a School Library Media Specialist certification issued by the state Department of Education. You generally need a master's degree with library media coursework, a passing score on the required Praxis exam, and supervised field experience. A teaching license is not always a prerequisite, but requirements can vary, so check the latest NJDOE guidelines.
How much does the NJCU graduate program cost per credit?
NJCU's graduate tuition for in-state students has historically been among the more affordable options in New Jersey, typically in the range of a few hundred dollars per credit. Exact rates change each academic year. Visit NJCU's official tuition and fees page for the most current per-credit pricing and any associated graduate program fees.
Can I earn an MLIS entirely online as a New Jersey resident?
Yes. Several ALA-accredited programs accept New Jersey residents into fully online MLIS tracks. Schools such as Rutgers, San Jose State University, Syracuse University, and the University of South Carolina all offer online options. Compare tuition, residency pricing, and specialization tracks before applying, as out-of-state online rates vary significantly.
Is an MLIS or a school library media certification better for my career?
It depends on your career goal. If you want to work in public, academic, or special libraries, an ALA-accredited MLIS is typically required. If your goal is specifically to serve as a school librarian in New Jersey, state certification as a School Library Media Specialist is the credential you need. Some professionals pursue both to maximize flexibility across library settings.
