COA announces accreditation actions taken at 2014 Midwinter Meeting

CHICAGO — The Committee on Accreditation (COA) of the American Library Association (ALA) announces accreditation actions taken at the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia.

Accreditation decisions

Initial accreditation status was granted to the following program, with the next comprehensive review visit scheduled to take place in fall 2020:

• Master of Information Studies at the University of Ottawa (Ontario).

Continued accreditation status was granted to the following program, with the next comprehensive review visit scheduled to take place in fall 2020:

• Master of Library and Information Science at the University of Washington.

Continued accreditation status and release from conditional accreditation status was granted to the following program, with the next comprehensive review visit scheduled to take place in fall 2020:

• Master of Library and Information Science at Valdosta State University (Ga.).

Conditional accreditation status was granted to the following program, with the next comprehensive review visit scheduled to take place in fall 2016:

• Master of Library and Information Studies at the University of British Columbia.

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. Consult the Directory of Accredited Programs for a complete list of programs and degrees accredited by ALA. Individuals who would like more information about a particular program should contact the program.

Accreditation Process, Policies and Procedures (AP3), third edition, policy change

Approved the following policy change to AP3, effective for accreditation decisions made January 25, 2014 and thereafter :

I.11.1 Retroactive period of initial accreditation

Initial accreditation, when granted, applies retroactively for students who complete degree requirements 24 months prior to the date that initial accreditation is granted. For example, if initial accreditation is granted in January of 2015, students who complete degree requirements in January 2013 or later are considered to have graduated from an ALA-accredited 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.