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Foreign Credentials Evaluation Assistance
Employer Information

This information is specifically for employers.  If you are a job seeker looking for credentially assistance, see our page for job seekers.

Dear Employer,

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding evaluation of an international degree for your job applicant in library and information science.

The policy of the American Library Association (ALA) states:

"The master's degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association (or from a master's level program in library and information studies accredited or recognized by the appropriate national body of another country) is the appropriate professional degree for librarians."

The American Library Association does not conduct evaluations or make recognition decisions.  We also cannot serve as a chanel of appeal for persons dissatisfied with evaluations. 

The following countries have been identified as having "formal" accreditation processes and an individual who has received his/her degree from an institution in one of these countries is considered acceptable for employment in the United States. A list of the specific institutions can be found at:

• United Kingdom
  
  
• Australia
  
  
• New Zealand 

If an individual has attended an institution of higher learning in regions of the world other than those mentioned above, the following website may be of service in identifying programs throughout the world:

http://informationr.net/wl/

Additionally, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has created Guidelines for Professional Library/Information Educational Programs which can be accessed at:

http://www.ifla.org/VII/s23/bulletin/guidelines.htm

Please note carefully that ALA cannot recommend a specific agency, nor does the provision of information on our site in any way imply ALA's endorsement of the results of an evaluation. 

If you require additional assistance please contact: Beatrice Calvin, Program Officer for Placement & Recruitment, ALA/HRDR, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611, 800/545-2433 ext. 4280 or bcalvin@ala.org.