Information Literacy in the Disciplines

The ACRL IS Information Literacy in the Disciplines Committee has gathered together links to information literacy standards and curricula developed by regional accrediting organizations.

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes these seven regional accreditation organizations.

Accrediting Commission For Community and Junior Colleges, Accreditation Standards

• Standard 2 – Student Success, criterion 2.3

Higher Learning Commission, Criteria for Accreditation

• Criterion 2 – Integrity, Ethical and Responsible Conduct, criterion 2.E.3
• Criterion 3 – Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support, criteria 3.B.2 and 3.D.4

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

• Standard III – Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience, Criterion 5b

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

• Standard 4 – The Academic Program, criteria 4.12, 4.15, and 4.19
• Standard 7 – Institutional Resources, criteria 7.21 and 7.22

Northwest Commission on Colleges, and Universities (NWCCU).

• Standard Two – Resources and Capacity, Section 2.C – Policies and Procedures, criterion 2.C.3
• Standard Two – Resources and Capacity, Section 2.H. Library and Information Resources, criterion 2.H.1

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

• Section 11 – Library and Learning/Information Resources, page 26

WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

• Handbook of Accreditation 2023
  • Standard 2 – Achieving Educational Objectives and Student Success, criterion 2.3
  • Standard 3 – Assuring Resources and Organizational Structures, criterion 3.6
  • Standard 4 – Creating an Institution Committed to Quality Assurance and Improvement, criterion 4.1

Becher, Melissa. 2013. Instruction Coordinators and Higher Education Accreditation: A Study of Awareness and Assessment Documentation Use. Journal of Academic Librarianship 39 (6): 573–81. 

Bradley, Cara. 2013. Information Literacy in the Programmatic University Accreditation Standards of Select Professions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Journal of Information Literacy 7 (1): 44–68.

Detmering, Robert, and Patricia Payette. 2021. Finding a New Fit for Student Success: Librarians as Agents of Teaching Innovation and Institutional Change. Journal of Library Administration 61 (8): 947–63. 

Gratch-Lindauer, Bonnie. 2002. Comparing the regional accreditation standards: Outcomes assessment and other trends. Journal of Academic Librarianship 28(1/2): 14.

Malone, Debbie and Nelson, William Neal. 2006. A Library compliance strategy for regional accreditation standards: Using ACRL Higher Education Standards with the Middle States Commission. College & Undergraduate Libraries 13(1): 89-105.

Rockman, Ilene F. 2003. Integrating information literacy into the outcomes of academic disciplines. College & Research Libraries News 64(9): 612-615.

Saunders, Laura. 2007 “Regional accreditation organizations’ treatment of information literacy: Definitions, collaboration, and assessment.” The Journal of Academic Librarianship 33, no. 3: 317-326.

Sowell, Cary. 2005. Accrediting agencies still value libraries. Community & Junior College Libraries 13(2): 3-4.

Thompson, Gary B. 2002. Information literacy accreditation mandates: What they mean for faculty and librarians. Library Trends 51(2): 218-41.