The University of Iowa School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). SLIS is the first and only North American iSchool to house an MLIS accredited by both the American Library Association (ALA) and CILIP, expanding both the alignment of its coursework and its international standing.
"I am proud and excited to share this news," said Dr. Lucy Santos Green, Director of SLIS. "The University of Iowa is committed to preparing graduates who are equipped to serve in an increasingly global information environment. CILIP accreditation strengthens our students' professional credentials and expands their career opportunities in the United Kingdom and other international contexts."
CILIP is the United Kingdom's professional body for librarians, information specialists, and knowledge managers. It accredits academic programs against its Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB), a framework that defines the core knowledge and skills of the profession. CILIP's final report, issued today, found that the program meets or exceeds expectations on all five accreditation criteria: mapping to the PKSB, a high-quality learning experience for students, engagement with employers, faculty currency with professional practice, and encouragement of student engagement with CILIP.
The report described SLIS as a "perfectly formed" program with a flexible, well-rounded curriculum that balances skills-based learning with theory, delivered by a highly collegial team of engaged and motivational faculty. It singled out the Capstone Portfolio and practicum as strengths that prepare students for professional practice, praised the depth of the school's employer engagement through the SLIS Advisory Committee, the Professional Development Lecture Series, and LISSO, and noted that students feel very well supported in their learning journey.
Beginning Spring 2027, SLIS will integrate CILIP standards into the MLIS curriculum, introducing the PKSB alongside ALA's core competencies and connecting students and faculty with CILIP's online opportunities for skills development and professional networking.
"This accomplishment belongs to the entire SLIS community," Green said. "I am grateful to our faculty, who documented their courses against a new framework with real care; to our students, who spoke honestly and thoughtfully about their experience; to the University Library's Katie DeVries, our library liaison; and to Dr. Saba Ali, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate College, for her strong institutional support."
