Assessing the transferability of library and information science (LIS) degrees accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)

Abstract

This paper aims to assess, through the use of surveys and data comparison, the transferability of Master's-level library and information science (LIS) degrees accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). Data from this study shows that the ALA and CILIP expect nearly the same core competencies of their accredited graduates, and that graduates of CILIP-accredited programs tend to enter the work force with more practical experience. In addition, employers who have hired LIS graduates with foreign credentials report a high satisfaction in their international hires, as well as no major gaps in professional knowledge bases. Despite the apparent transferability of skills between organizations, the majority of job postings in the United States and Canada specifically require ALA-accredited degrees, whereas the United Kingdom (UK) typically recognizes and accepts ALA credentials and CILIP accredited degrees. This discrepancy in the acceptance of qualifications may be due to a lack of communication, but further research is needed to investigate this.