Why ALA Accreditation Matters

[ashkir]

I have gotten a few different PMs about why I commented on past threads relating to Archives and Library Sciences about ALA accreditation. While schools may have the RA and or NA accreditation it becomes a different level when you go to certain professions. 

Library Science, Archivist, Information Management Records, Records Management crave one certification above the rest and that is ALA Accreditation. 

What is it?
ALA stands for American Library Association. This is the gold standard. The American Library Association is the oldest library association in the world and the largest. There are over 60,000 members. This was founded during the 1876 World's Fair in celebration of the United States' 100th birthday. 

Why?
Rigorous policy is used to accredited these. They inspect the goals of the program, curriculum, teachers, the students themselves, and more. It means you will be adequately trained to be a librarian. 

What about blank certified archivist?
Go ahead and use that one instead. However, ALA is the gold standard. 

Does the government use it?
Librarians of Congress need MLS degrees. Almost all MLS degrees are ALA certified. The past and current librarians of congress are overwhelmingly from ALA Accredited programs. 

What does the job market believe?
Almost all want ALA accreditation. They don't give a shit about NA vs RA.

[Alpha]

I have heard this is true, that a non-ALA accredited Library Science degree is not worth the time, energy and expense as you will not get hired anywhere.

[ashkir]

I have heard this is true, that a non-ALA accredited Library Science degree is not worth the time, energy and expense as you will not get hired anywhere.

Agreed. Especially since online MLS programs that are ALA accredited are about 14 grand from Valdoosta and a few others. So you're not gonna save any money going to a non-ALA accredited one to begin with.

[bjcheung77]

Here's a couple of links you all might be interested in when it comes to Programmatic Accreditation, I like to use it as reference for CHEA/USDOE.
You'll notice there are a few that have "a couple" or more options for accreditation, and some accreditation agencies are missing such as AACSB.
Link: https://www.chea.org/programmatic-accred...anizations
Link: https://www.chea.org/programmatic-accred...ditor-type

[Alpha]

The one that I'm familiar with is CSWE, the accrediting agency for Social Work Education.  I believe that in most states you can not become licensed unless your MSW is from a CSWE accredited school.