COA announces accreditation decisions

For Immediate Release
Tue, 07/14/2015

Contact:

Laura Dare

Accreditation Manager

Office for Accreditation

312-280-2435

ldare@ala.org

CHICAGO —The Committee on Accreditation (COA) of the American Library Association (ALA) announces accreditation actions taken at the 2015 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco.

Continued accreditation was granted to the following program, with the next comprehensive review visit scheduled to take place in spring 2022:

  • Master of Information Sciences at the University of Puerto Rico


Continued accreditation with release from Conditional accreditation status was granted to the following program, with the next comprehensive review visit scheduled to take place in spring 2022:

  • Master of Science in Information and Library Science at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.


Accreditation was withdrawn from the following program:

  • Master of Arts in Library Science at the University of Missouri.

The institution has filed an intent to appeal. During the appeal, the program retains its listing in the Directory of ALA-Accredited Programs, with the status noted as Withdrawn, Appeal Pending. While the appeal is in progress, the program retains Conditional status with regard to student status and required program reporting. Information on the ALA accreditation appeal process can be found in Accreditation Process, Policies and Procedures (AP3), fourth edition, Section IV, Appeal Process.

ALA accreditation indicates that the program has undergone a self-evaluation process, has been externally reviewed and meets the Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies, established by COA and adopted by ALA Council. COA evaluates each program for conformity to the Standards, which address mission, goals and objectives; curriculum; faculty; students; administration and financial support; and physical resources and facilities.

A complete list of programs and degrees accredited by ALA can be found in the Directory of ALA-Accredited Programs in Library and Information Studies. Individuals who would like more information about a particular program should contact the program.

The ALA COA is a leading force in accreditation, having evaluated educational programs to prepare librarians since 1924. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes ALA COA as the authority for assessing the quality of education offered by graduate programs in the field of library and information studies.