Drexel, in Philadelphia, offers a Master of Science in Library and Information Science degree with flexible options. Students can take courses completely online, on campus, or a combination of the two. Six concentrations are offered, including archival studies, digital libraries and school library media. The Drexel program has electives in information work as it relates to the law, medicine and business fields as well as computerized information systems.
The University of Wisconsin in Madison offers a 42-credit distance-learning master's program for full- or part-time students. A week-long orientation on the Madison campus is required at the start of the program, as is a three-credit practicum in the student's locality. Tuition is comparable to onsite resident tuition. Students must live more than 55 miles from campus to be eligible for the distance program; students who are closer may enroll on campus and still take many courses online. Students may choose to specialize in school library media centers or digital libraries and resources, among other areas.
Wayne State, in Detroit, offers an online-only version of the 36-hour Master of Library and Information Science degree program. Students may enroll from anywhere in North American and pay resident tuition. Students use video conferencing, e-mail and online chat among other web-based technologies to attend lectures, communicate with professors and other students and complete assignments. Concentrations available in the online program include law librarianship, information management, health sciences librarianship and reference services.
Florida State offers a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies that can be completed entirely online. There are four required core courses; the remaining 24 credits can be used to specialize in one of four programs of study. Options include general librarianship, information architecture and technology, information needs and services and youth information needs and services. Additionally, students can opt for an individualized specialization that fulfills their specific career goals.
From California to New York, 19 accredited schools of library and information science have online degree programs; ALA's website offers a full list of these institutions. Anyone pursuing librarianship as a career should investigate the specialties offered in the various programs; not all are offered through distance learning options. All require a bachelor's degree and most request scores from the Graduate Record Examination.