COA announces accreditation actions




Karen O'Brien


Director, ALA Office for Accreditation


312/280-2434


kobrien@ala.org
For Immediate Release


July 10, 2007



COA announces accreditation actions



CHICAGO -The Committee on Accreditation (COA) of the American Library Association (ALA) has announced accreditation actions taken at the 2007 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

Initial accreditation status was granted to the Master of Library and Information Science program offered by Valdosta State University (Ga.). The next comprehensive review visit is scheduled to occur in 2014.

Continued accreditation status was granted to the following programs:

  • Master of Library and Information Studies, University of Oklahoma



  • Master of Library and Information Science, San Jose State University (Calif.)



  • Master of Science in Information Studies, University of Texas at Austin

The next comprehensive review visit at each institution is scheduled to occur in 2014.

Conditional accreditation status was granted to the Master of Library and Information Studies program at the University of Rhode Island. The next comprehensive review visit is scheduled to occur in 2010.

The conditional accreditation status of the Master of Library Sciences and the Master of Arts in Library Science programs at Texas Woman's University was continued. A progress review visit is scheduled to occur in 2010.

Categories of accreditation status are explained in section I.7 of
Accreditation Process Policies and Procedures available in print and at
http://www.ala.org/ala/accreditation/accredstandards/AP3_2nd_Edition_1-15-2007.pdf.

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
http://www.ala.org/ala/accreditation/accredstandards/standards.htm 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 at
http://www.ala.org/lisdir. 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.