Additional Degree Required? Advanced Subject Knowledge and Academic Librarianship

Since the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) first published its terminal degree statement in 1975, the topic of librarians and advanced subject degrees has been controversial, and research on the topic has remained limited. Based on data gathered from two major online job sites as well as library and information science programs accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), this article analyzes the status of the requirement for advanced subject degrees for academic librarians and compares it to the dual-degree options currently offered. This research identifies important challenges and opportunities for both academic librarians and schools of library and information science.