While some current media specialists may only be equipped with a bachelor's degree, today's qualifications include the additional education of a master's degree. While the term Media Specialist and School Media Specialist are generally synonymous, some states require a teaching certificate to work as a School Media Specialist.
During practicum and in the career field, graduates will find themselves not only working at libraries and schools, but in publishing companies, government agencies and large corporations.
According to Wayne State University--home to a media specialist graduate school program--there is a general need for competency in the following areas: educational/instructional technology, literature for children and young adults, school library media center administration, and management and collection development.
Media specialist training generally takes approximately 2 to 2.5 years, with additional time needed in the case of acquiring a teaching certificate.
According to The Princeton Review, technologies media specialists will become familiar with during training include computers, projectors, conference equipment and audiovisual equipment. They must be able to teach others how to use these technologies, as well.