The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign offers a master of science degree in library science online through the Graduate School of Library and Information Science. The school also offers a certificate of advanced study in the field plus certification for those working in the public school system for grades K-12.
The degree program requires 40 credit hours for completion. Of these, 32 hours are required coursework and eight hours are composed of an advanced research project. Students with previous courses in the field may transfer up to 12 credit hours to count toward completion of the degree.
Courses include topics such as information technology and organizations, computing in the humanities, cognitive psychology of information systems and ethics in cyberspace. Although most of the coursework is completed online, students are required to attend brief information sessions on campus each semester.
University of Illinois
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
501 East Daniel St.
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-0734
uillinois.edu
Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, offers a master of science degree in library and information science. This degree requires 45 credit hours, or 15 courses, for completion. All coursework can be completed online, except for the course leading to certification in the state of Pennsylvania. Students seeking certification elsewhere need not take this course, but may need to substitute another course for it according to their own state's standards.
Courses are offered in 10-week tracks rather than the traditional 15- or 16-week format. Drexel offers students the opportunity to specialize in one of six optional areas of concentration as well: school library media; archival studies; library and information services; digital libraries; competitive intelligence and knowledge management; and youth services.
Drexel University Online
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 34729
Philadelphia, PA 19101
877-215-0009
drexel.com
Another option for an online master's degree in library science is the Information School at the University of Washington (UW). UW offers a degree program that requires 63 quarter credits, which consist of nine core courses, a project (a capstone project, thesis, research project or professional portfolio) and elective courses. All courses are offered online, but students are required to attend a weeklong orientation at the beginning of the program.
Core courses required as part of the curriculum include management and information organizations, the life cycle of information, research methods, information behavior, instructional and training strategies, resources, services and collections, information in social context and organization of information and resources.
University of Washington
The Information School
Box 352840
Mary Gates Hall, Ste 370
Seattle, WA 98195
206-685-9937
ischool.uw.edu