Ph.D. in Library Science?

good stuff; keep it flowing

Any word on the COWAN UNIVERSITY LIS degrees ? I understand that this is a well-respected school and that it has limited (?) residence requirements...hope we can get some insight here...imperoo

 

I've followed this discussion on the PhD in Library Science with some interest. While several people in this dicussion make excellent points, the key is [BI]"ALA-approved."[/BI]

I have a MA in English from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English, enough graduate credits for at least 2 other Mater's degrees, and certification as a school library/media specialist in two states, but could not even get an interview with the local public library because I did not have an ALA-approved MLS.

Bill

 

A Pox on the A

Mostly to the Prof: Yes indeed I know this situation so damnably well...I came from an NON-ALA accredited school (which shall remain nameless at this point) and my "career" was emblazoned with fear, loathing and the strange and awful knowledge that I was anathema to the profession. I continued the grind out resumes but realized that I had to go to New Jersey (of all places) especially the Southern part of the state since NJ did not penalize me for being so self-destructive as not to gain ALA sanction. I scored certification from the state and worked as a Ed Media Specialist (which is another kettle of cuddlefish) but RUTGERS (no DL here unfortunately) would have welcomed me in with open arms for their doctorate program...I suppose this is a case of making lemonade from dead fruit...I agree that you could have a degree from Harvard but if you do not have that "special" ALA santification you will go wanting...I despise the ALA; the AMA of the library profession is what they are - standards that are meaningless and yet the have the lobby cornered...as mentioned COWAN U in Austrailia is well thought of in the information science realm (here again is yet another morass - computers and CYbraianship but we will not get into this at this juncture)...I am sincerely empathetic in your plight sir...there are ways around "it" but the journey may not be worth the destination...imperoo

 

"Anyone have any ideas?"

The dewey decimal system was a fraud it will never work

 

Apparently, according to the good people over at degreediscussion, San Jose State University www.sjsu.edu and Queensland University of Technology www.qut.edu.au are partnering up for an external PhD in Library Science.

 

Anymore word about this? Friend (2nd cousin really) just asked.

 

Forget about ALA-accreditation at PhD level...

The trend is towards "iSchools" (look it up in Wikipedia).

There is a reason why "library schools" are renaming themselves "Library and Information Studies" (or some derivation thereof).

My fiance' and I've both recently earned MLS's. She works at one of the three US National Libraries.

At the PhD level, and honestly, even at the MLS level, there is hardly any concern about ALA-accreditation (yes, its only at the Masters level, but some people are under the mistaken impression that there is an "unwritten undestanding" that it transfers to a PhD program). It is a non-issue.

Honestly, with the emergence of iSchools, ALA-accreditation is virtually meaningless. This observation comes from the real-world experience of two who are presently in the field.

YMMV.

 

I think ALA accreditation still means something (IMO). You cannot get a job in the public or academic environment without an ALA accredited MLS. Now with the PhD, I would assume the same holds true. For me, a PhD in library science is not a good option. What can you do with it besides teach at library schools or run a library. Just was and is not my cup of tea. For the record, I do not like the change from School of Library and Information Science to the School of Information (University of Texas). Something just does not work there.

 

The San Jose State University website, under "Degrees and Majors," does not have any information on a PhD in Library Science. Sorry.

 

This is why this forum is so great - never heard of this before!

Very interesting - thanks so much for posting this. Reading (and listening to the videos) right now.

 

Here is the info on the SJSU PhD program:

SJSU SLIS | Gateway Ph.D. Program Home Page