Will gvmnt libraries hire librarians with a MS in Library Science even if the degree is not ALA accredited?
When reading the job description for a Nashville Librarian, it says that you need a master’s degree in Library Science that is approved by the ALA (American Library Association). Here (http://agency.governmentjobs.com/nashville/default.cfm?action=viewjob&JobID=58869&hit_count=Yes&headerfooter=1&promo=0&transfer=0&WDDXJobSearchParams=%3CwddxPacket%20version%3D%271%2E0%27%3E%3Cheader%2F%3E%3Cdata%3E%3Cstruct%3E%3Cvar%20name%3D%27FIND%5FKEYWORD%27%3E%3Cstring%3E%3C%2Fstring%3E%3C%2Fvar%3E%3Cvar%20name%3D%27TRANSFER%27%3E%3Cstring%3E0%3C%2Fstring%3E%3C%2Fvar%3E%3Cvar%20name%3D%27PROMOTIONALJOBS%27%3E%3Cstring%3E0%3C%2Fstring%3E%3C%2Fvar%3E%3C%2Fstruct%3E%3C%2Fdata%3E%3C%2FwddxPacket%3E) is the link. It clearly says “no substitution”. Is this something they (government people) have to write or are they lenient? The reason I ask is very few schools have ALA accredited programs and many have Library Science Master’s degree but focused on school librarians.
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When a job ad specifies that you must have an ALA-accredited MLS and that no substitutions are allowed, they really mean it.
The only traditional librarian positions typically available that do not require an ALA-accredited MLS are school librarian positions. Their requirements vary by state, district, and sometimes even school, so look into this carefully before deciding what academic preparation you want to undertake for a library career.
Requirements vary in the private sector, if you are interested in a corporate job.
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It doesn’t make sense to get a degree from an educational institution that is not accredited in the field for which you wish to pursue a career.
As an example, my friend got a master’s degree from the university of phoenix…rather than the university here. the school district will not accept it because this online school is not accredidted by the association they set their standards to.
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