Comments on: The Problem with Online MLS Programs

By: sebastin

sebastin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:31:50 +0000

Achieve your goal

It is not only convenient to get anything from a math degree to a psychology degree online, but it can also be less costly than traditional college or universities, too. Often, since online schools do not have a physical campus, they do not need to charge as much for attendance. Things like housing, campus building upkeep and cafeteria facilities are not typically offered, and so the cost of attendance is just tuition and books. In addition, most online education programs offer some form of financial aid. And the cost of online degrees earned from an accredited institution can often be offset with federal financial aid as well…………..

c-m.com”>universities online programs

By: Poor Schlub

Poor Schlub — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:50:58 +0000

“I think that the quality of an online course is determined by the institution offering it, not by the medium of online learning itself.”

That is if you can afford the computer and the internets connection to begin with. Some spoiled rich punks have all teh luck.

By: WestCoastGrad

WestCoastGrad — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:34:22 +0000

I am currently completing an Art History MA on campus. I am also enrolled in an online graduate certificate program. I feel that, at least at the cal state level, both my online and in person courses have been of equal value. I think that the quality of an online course is determined by the institution offering it, not by the medium of online learning itself.

By: Post postmodern Librarian

Post postmodern Librarian — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:44:03 +0000

I think Kim hits the general issues pretty well. Though I will have to say Drexel would be my first choice now days. Its focus on information science vs. library science makes you eligible for other fields besides libraries. However its expensive, and heavily focused on computers. If your interest dont lean this way or cant afford it dont do it.

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:31:52 +0000

If you are determined to do this, Ben, choose the cheaper of the two programs, unless one program offers more of the type of classes you want or teachers you want to work with than the other. No one cares where you went to school; employers only care about what you can do for them right now. Further, most “offline” programs now have a number of online classes because they are cheaper to administer. Also, try to find a way for someone other than you to pay for the degree through assistantships or scholarships, or by becoming employed full time with an employer who will pay for the degree. Then continue to add to your experience through avenues such as volunteering at a small library, which will allow you to do more because they are desperate for the help. Finally, find a way to gain specialized skills such as another language or tech skills. Yes, networking can be important, although no one I knew (including me) found our jobs through networking. Finally, if you are not able or willing to move once you graduate, please consider doing something other than an MLIS.

By: Ben G.

Ben G. — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:06:08 +0000

I’m relocating to Pennsylvania next month with my family after receiving my BA at the end of this semester. I’ve had several years of part-time library experience as an undergrad. I am considering the offline iSchool at Drexel vs. the online program at Clarion for my MLIS. Obviously, there is a significant tuition difference. I am wondering if anyone could tell me how choosing one over the other will impact me in the following areas:

Employability
Income potential
Networking
Advancement opportunities

Would these differences hold true for comparisons between any online and offline programs?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

By: Spain_librarians

Spain_librarians — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:58:09 +0000

Hi, we’re three librarian students from Spain and we have read this post with interest and amusement, because there is something similar to an online degree for our studies here at Spain, but is conceived like a second degree which can be accessed only by people whom already have their first degree, so the idea of an online degree puzzled us.
We have discussed it and we strongly agree with the point that library school is boring. We also agree at the point that a school degree is better than an online degree, because they prepare us better, at least here in Spain, and give us the opportunity to practice in a real library, either for a private company or for the Government. It’s also better because we can get to understand the essence of this job, which is basically make boring things until you get used to them and help people with anything related with books or searching.
If online degrees also have a less prestige than academic ones, it makes us wonder why seems to be so many people interested in them ¿is it just to apply for the job, in the end? Because here in Spain the librarian students want to end their degrees to work in public libraries, which is very difficult because the Government has a high-level test to pass, and it’s complicated to get into a private company. So, having a low-considered degree can’t be a good help in a job search, can it?
We really have enjoyed reading your post, and if you could take a moment of your time in answering our comment, we would appreciate it very much. Thank you!

By: buildingvirtualcharacter

buildingvirtualcharacter — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:20:10 +0000

As a current online MLIS student I have to disagree with AL about online students being spared the long, boring student experience. I am writing this post having just sat through 3 hours of student bibliographic instruction presentations, informative… but boring. Earlier this week I sat through a two hour lecture on developing LCC call numbers and their corresponding MARC entries and a three hour reference service lecture; both of which were informative, but I was not able to give my full attention without a large amount of self discipline.

My online school experience has been a mixture of good, bad and mediocre instruction. Much of what I am learning seems unrelated to what I am learning working in a library. My online MLIS experience has been a huge exercise in self discipline. The character online MLIS students are building may be different from our predecessors, but I can definitely feel the painful building of character with every hour I spend reading, in online class meetings, and trying to navigate the online learning environment.

By: TheIlliterateLibrarian

TheIlliterateLibrarian — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:47:05 +0000

@a-nonny-mouse –I have received my MLIS online, and I also teach online in addition to librarying it up in the day job. I still find those to be extremely rude behaviors. My husband asked me WHY I ask him questions when he’s listening to his iPod last night. I was like… because I need to ask you questions!? The world doesn’t stop because you’re listening to music! I actually hate it when he listens to his music in public because he’s not aware of people/situations/conversations going on around him and I think that is both rude and dangerous.

Anti-social people only need an excuse to be anti-social, and they’ll take ANYTHING as reinforcement that their behavior is OK or acceptable. Tell them its not!

By: NewLibrarian

NewLibrarian — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:08:02 +0000

Thanks, AL. You are so right. I did the online MLS, and I was so unprepared for the…senseless…drivel in daily meetings.