Are post-graduate certificates in library science practical/useful?

While many universities with library science programs offer post-graduate certificates (such as San Jose State post-master's certificate, Certificate of Graduate Studies from South Carolina, Specialist in Library and Information Science from Indiana, Post-master's certificate of graduate studies at Clarion), a literature review does not yield information on the practicality or usefulness of the certificate -- do any jobs require post-graduate study and do any jobs pay extra for such? May I have help locating current, scholarly articles on post-graduate certificates?

Melissa

• professional-development
• education

Comments

• Jakob: Can you please modify your question by giving some examples of post-graduate certificates in library science and making the title a full sentence?
• Ashley Nunn: What sort of information are you looking for? Successful careers with that sort of certificate? What would make it practical or useful in your eyes? Could you give examples of the sorts of programs you are trying to find literature on? What sort of literature would be acceptable?
• Joe: I was debating on applying one just so that I could take a few courses that'd be useful in my current job, that I didn't take when I was working on my masters ... does that count as 'practical' ?
• Melissa: Yes, Joe, I think so. My "specialization" of my MLS doesn't really apply to my current job, so I'm wondering about the same kind of approach.

Answer by Mary Jo Finch

Here are a few:

Moran, R. F. (2003). ALA/APA post-master’s certification: An interview with Tom Wilding. Library Administration and Management, 17 (1), 4-5.

Ingalls, E., & Sivak, A. (2005). Post-master’s certification: A case for responsive education. In S. E. Cleyle & L. M. McGillis (Eds.), Last one out turn off the lights: Is this the future of American and Canadian libraries? (pp.125-137). Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press.

Bell, J. (2012). Certification of Librarians: An Unproven Demand. SLIS Student Research Journal, 2 (1), Article 35.

Comments

• Melissa: Thanks, Mary Jo -- especially for the last one!