The Effect of Higher Education on the Core Competencies of Undergraduate Students of Library and Information Science: A Case Study of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

The aim of this research is to develop a model for core competencies of students of library and information science at a general level and to evaluate the extent to which undergraduate students of library and information science at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad have the intended core competencies. Methodology/Approach: The current research is theoretical-applied and the research methodology is record-based، analytical and survey-based. The research population includes all undergraduate students of Library and Information science at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad who studied at this university during 2010-2011. The core competency model studied in this research consisted of twelve core competencies. The findings of the research showed that in all cases، 8th semester students had a better condition in comparison with 2nd semester students and the difference between them is significant. Training had been effective in improving the level of core competencies through different semesters. Finally، it was proposed to design a syllabus based on the double helix model and to take into consideration the competencies in two levels، i. e. general and specialized، as a basis for educational planning in undergraduate level of library and information science.