Is a Library Science degree from Canada ok

[lotusin]

I've been accepted to UBC as well as several programs in the US. To be clear, I am a US citizen and rather intend to stay one. I know the UBC program is ALA accredited, but is there any disadvantage besides learning some different public policies and organizational structures to going with this program over the US programs? It is certainly way more affordable.

[littlewing]

As far as I know as long as it's ALA accredited it's fine. UBC is well respected. I am in the opposite situation, I'm in Canada but only applied to US programs since none of the Canadian ones are online. I think it's fine. A number of Canadian librarians have U.S. MLIS degrees, so I guess it goes both ways?

[OTgirl]

Yes, you'll do just fine. I'm American but got my MLIS at McGill. No prospective employer batted an eyelash at my degree being Canadian, and I actually think there are a number of positive aspects to having a Canadian degree. First, more "top" universities in Canada have MLS/MLIS programs than is the case in the US. (McGill is currently the top-ranked Canadian university has been for 7 years in a row, and of course UBC and Toronto are excellent schools.) Second, the programs tend to be considerably less expensive than US programs, even taking into consideration the higher international student tuition. (Although admittedly when I got my degree in 2005-2007, the exchange rate was better, but this is still generally true.) Third, many Canadian programs are longer than US programs - mine was a full two years, or 16 courses, versus the typical 12 course US program. I think I got a better education overall than many students in US programs. Finally, you'll get an interesting experience. McGill is in Montreal, so I got more of a "foreign" experience than would be the case in English-speaking Canadian cities, but I think Americans will be surprised at how different from the US even English Canada is. Despite having visited numerous times, until I moved to Canada, I thought it was pretty much exactly the same as the US... this is not the case.

[Psych2.7]

As far as I know as long as it's ALA accredited it's fine. UBC is well respected. I am in the opposite situation, I'm in Canada but only applied to US programs since none of the Canadian ones are online. I think it's fine. A number of Canadian librarians have U.S. MLIS degrees, so I guess it goes both ways?

Actually, U of Western Ontario is just starting to offer a distance option. I could not find anything on their website about it (it might be too new), but I know someone who is currently completing their MLIS that way. I am sure that if you contact them, they would give you more information: http://www.fims.uwo.ca/contact.htm

[littlewing]

Thank you, Psych2.7! I'll be sure to look into that down the road if no luck this time. If I get in this round I think I'll just accept though. I'm not sure I can be ***ed doing grad school applications again, unless strictly necessary. I am still chasing my third referee, omg.

[LOLCat]

I've been accepted to UBC as well as several programs in the US. To be clear, I am a US citizen and rather intend to stay one. I know the UBC program is ALA accredited, but is there any disadvantage besides learning some different public policies and organizational structures to going with this program over the US programs? It is certainly way more affordable.

What specialization? I was accepted there too! I got accepted for the dual Archival Studies and MLIS degree.