American Library Association, Office for Accreditation ALA-OA

Overview

The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Accreditation is a division of the ALA responsible for accrediting master's-level programs in library and information studies across the United States and Canada. Established in 1923, the Office for Accreditation ensures that these programs meet rigorous standards, thereby safeguarding the quality and integrity of library and information science education. The office operates under the governance of the ALA's Committee on Accreditation (CoA) and is officially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

1. Historical and Legal Framework

Founded in 1923, the ALA Office for Accreditation was established to provide a formal mechanism for evaluating and accrediting graduate programs in library and information studies. The office operates as part of the ALA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ensuring its activities align with its mission and the needs of its members. The accreditation process is voluntary and non-governmental, focusing on self-review and peer evaluation to maintain high educational standards.

2. Mission, Vision and Objectives

The mission of the ALA Office for Accreditation is to provide external review and validation of master's-level library and information studies programs. Its objectives include:

• Ensuring fair and equitable accreditation reviews.
• Promoting diversity and inclusiveness in library and information studies education.
• Consulting and assisting in the development and advancement of library and information studies education.
• Communicating with constituencies regarding activities and accomplishments.
• Anticipating and preparing for the changing environment and the future needs of constituencies.
• Managing operations and resources to be effective, responsive and relevant.

These objectives align with the broader mission of the ALA to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

3. Governance, Structure and Independence

The ALA Office for Accreditation operates under the governance of the ALA's Committee on Accreditation (CoA), which administers the accreditation process. The CoA is composed of members appointed by the ALA Council and is responsible for evaluating programs, making accreditation decisions and ensuring compliance with established standards. The office serves as the staff liaison to the CoA and works with ALA governance and other ALA offices and divisions on issues related to library and information studies education.

4. Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

The ALA Office for Accreditation plays a critical role in maintaining the quality of library and information studies education through its accreditation process. Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental and collegial process of self-review and external verification by peer reviewers. In higher education, accreditation has two primary goals:

1. To ensure that post-secondary educational institutions and their units, schoolsor programs meet appropriate standards of quality and integrity.
2. To improve the quality of education these institutions offer.

By identifying programs that meet recognized standards, the CoA offers a means of quality control in the professional staffing of library and information services.

5. International Cooperation and Network Memberships

While the ALA Office for Accreditation primarily accredits programs within the United States and Canada, it engages in international cooperation to enhance the global impact of library and information studies education. The office collaborates with international partners to share knowledge, promote best practices and address global challenges in library and information science education. This collaboration contributes to the advancement of the profession worldwide.

6. Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

The ALA Office for Accreditation continues to influence the landscape of library and information studies education through its rigorous accreditation process. By ensuring that programs meet high standards, the office helps maintain the quality and integrity of the profession. Looking ahead, the office is committed to adapting its standards and processes to address emerging trends and challenges in higher education, ensuring that library and information studies education remains relevant and effective in preparing professionals to meet the evolving needs of society.

7. Summary

The ALA Office for Accreditation plays a vital role in upholding the quality of library and information studies education. Through its rigorous accreditation process, the office ensures that programs meet high standards, thereby maintaining the integrity of the profession. Its commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation to emerging trends ensures that library and information studies education remains responsive to the needs of students, institutions and society.

8. FAQs

1. What is the ALA Office for Accreditation?
   The ALA Office for Accreditation is a division of the American Library Association responsible for accrediting master's-level programs in library and information studies across the United States and Canada.
2. When was the ALA Office for Accreditation established?
   The office was established in 1923 to provide a formal mechanism for evaluating and accrediting graduate programs in library and information studies.
3. Does the ALA Office for Accreditation accredit programs outside North America?
   While the primary focus is on programs within the United States and Canada, the office has accredited programs outside North America, such as the master's in Library and Information Studies program at University College London.
4. How does the ALA Office for Accreditation ensure the quality of accredited programs?
   The office ensures quality through a voluntary, non-governmental and collegial process of self-review and peer review, evaluating programs against established standards to ensure they meet appropriate levels of quality and integrity.
5. How can I find a list of ALA-accredited programs?
   The ALA Office for Accreditation publishes an annual directory of accredited programs, providing information about library and information studies programs that have been accredited by the ALA.

Organization Name

American Library Association, Office for Accreditation

Acronym

ALA-OA

Year of Establishment

1/01/1923

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

Affiliations or Memberships

Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

64

Address

225 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1300
Chicago
60601 Illinois United States

Phone

+1 (800) 545 2433, ext. 2432

Fax

+1 (312) 280 2433

List of universities offering programs accredited by the American Library Association, Office for Accreditation (ALA-OA):

UNITED STATES

AL Alabama

1. University of Alabama (Continued accreditation)

AZ Arizona

1. University of Arizona (Continued accreditation)

CA California

1. San Jose State University (Continued accreditation)
2. University of California, Los Angeles (Continued accreditation)
3. University of Southern California (Initial accreditation)

CO Colorado

1. University of Denver (Continued accreditation)

CT Connecticut

1. Southern Connecticut State University (Initial accreditation)

DC District of Columbia

1. The Catholic University of America (Continued accreditation)

FL Florida

1. Florida State University (Continued accreditation)
2. University of South Florida (Continued accreditation)

GA Georgia

1. Valdosta State University (Continued accreditation)

HI Hawaii

1. University of Hawaii (Continued accreditation)

IA Iowa

1. University of Iowa (Continued accreditation)

IL Illinois

1. Chicago State University (Initial accreditation)
2. Dominican University (Continued accreditation)
3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Continued accreditation)

IN Indiana

1. Indiana University - Bloomington (Continued accreditation)
2. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (Continued accreditation)

KS Kansas

1. Emporia State University (Continued accreditation)

KY Kentucky

1. University of Kentucky (Continued accreditation)

LA Louisiana

1. Louisiana State University (Continued accreditation)

MA Massachusetts

1. Simmons University (Continued accreditation)

MD Maryland

1. University of Maryland (Continued accreditation)

MI Michigan

1. University of Michigan (Continued accreditation)
2. Wayne State University (Continued accreditation)

MN Minnesota

1. St. Catherine University (Continued accreditation)

MO Missouri

1. University of Missouri (Continued accreditation)

MS Mississippi

1. The University of Southern Mississippi (Continued accreditation)

NC North Carolina

1. East Carolina University (Conditional accreditation)
2. North Carolina Central University (Continued accreditation)
3. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Continued accreditation)
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Continued accreditation)

NJ New Jersey

1. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Continued accreditation)

NY New York

1. Long Island University (Continued accreditation)
2. Pratt Institute (Continued accreditation)
3. Queens College, CUNY (Continued accreditation)
4. St. John's University (Continued accreditation)
5. Syracuse University (Continued accreditation)
6. University at Albany, SUNY (Continued accreditation)
7. University at Buffalo, SUNY (Continued accreditation)

OH Ohio

1. Kent State University (Continued accreditation)

OK Oklahoma

1. University of Oklahoma (Continued accreditation)

PA Pennsylvania

1. Drexel University (Continued accreditation)
2. Pennsylvania Western University - Clarion (Continued accreditation)
3. University of Pittsburgh (Continued accreditation)

PR Puerto Rico

1. University of Puerto Rico (Continued accreditation)

RI Rhode Island

1. University of Rhode Island (Continued accreditation)

SC South Carolina

1. University of South Carolina (Continued accreditation)

TN Tennessee

1. University of Tennessee (Continued accreditation)

TX Texas

1. Texas Woman's University (Continued accreditation)
2. University of North Texas (Continued accreditation)
3. University of Texas at Austin (Continued accreditation)

VA Virginia

1. Old Dominion University (Initial accreditation)

WA Washington

1. University of Washington (Continued accreditation)

WI Wisconsin

1. University of Wisconsin-Madison (Continued accreditation)
2. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Continued accreditation)

CANADA

AB Alberta

1. University of Alberta (Continued accreditation)

BC British Columbia

1. University of British Columbia (Continued accreditation)

NS Nova Scotia

1. Dalhousie University (Continued accreditation)

ON Ontario

1. University of Ottawa (Continued accreditation)
2. University of Toronto (Continued accreditation)
3. University of Western Ontario (Western University) (Continued accreditation)

QC Quebec

1. McGill University (Continued accreditation)
2. Université de Montréal (Continued accreditation)

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