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Introduction to Distance Learning Opportunities

The School of Information Resources & Library Science is at the forefront of distance learning, giving students in different geographic locations an opportunity to earn their ALA-accredited Master of Arts degree. To enroll for online courses, students must have graphical web access and meet these computer requirements. Students participate in coursework distributed over the Internet where they utilize a combination of tools including the World Wide Web, e-mail, chat rooms, electronic databases, and instructional software (WebCT). We provide all students, no matter where they are geographically located with a substantive and rigorous learning experience.

ADMISSION

Every student application is assessed according to the same admission criteria. The School makes no differentiation between resident students and non-resident students.

COURSES

Each semester, the School offers a minimum of two online courses. These courses are available to all students and are taught using the Internet. The course syllabi for the courses will be listed via the School's website. All course requirements, readings, assignments, etc. will be listed in the course syllabus.

The degree requirements for the MA are the same for all students. The degree must be completed within 6 years. Coursework submitted for the degree CANNOT exceed the 6-year limit.

All students are REQUIRED to fulfill a six (6) unit residence requirement prior to graduation. The School offers hybrid, presession, extensive summer programs, and winter session classes to assist in fulfilling this requirement. (Internships and Independent study courses and Thesis credits do NOT count toward fulfilling the residence requirement).

HOW CAN THIS PROGRAM WORK FOR YOU?

The School is proud of its blending of interdisciplinary components. The overall focus of the program is the study of information in a social context. This focus, plus the student-centered environment, makes the programs offered by the School unique. The School works with each student to develop the best program possible. Students are assigned a faculty advisor who will assist them with this intellectual process. The program manager is available for fielding non-academic questions and is usually the first point of contact for the student in working out the logistics of the program.

Graduate College deadlines may prevent an applicant from beginning the degree seeking program in his/her semester of choice, however, courses may be taken as a non-degree seeking student while materials are being submitted for application. Students may take up to twelve units of coursework prior to being accepted into the School.

In order to register as a non-degree student, an applicant must fill out and submit a UA Non-degree Application Form. The cost is $15.00. Should a student miss a semster of enrollment and wish to take additional classes, an additional non-degree registration is required and another payment of $15.00 will be charged.

Six hours of transfer coursework may be taken at another university or institution provided it meets the Graduate College requirements, faculty advisor approval, and the requirements of the School. Once the course is completed, official transcripts are required.

SUBSCRIBING TO SCHOOL LISTSERVS

IRLSADMIN is the School's main means of communication with students. All administrative information is posted here. The School does not mail notices or other information via surface mail. Students admitted to SIRLS are automatically added to this listserv. Non-degree students may request to be added by writing the Program Manager.

CLASS LISTSERVS: Each class has its own listserv, a means by which the professor can communicate with the class as a whole and provide general class announcements and reminders. If your class has its own listserv, your professor will post subscription information on the class syllabus.

STUDENT-RUN LISTSERVS:

• UA-LSO: The SIRLS Library Student Organization owns UA-LSO, an un-moderated listserv for student discussion as well as the posting of information about social and professional events. Non-degree students (students who have not been admitted to the SIRLS program) may subscribe themselves to this listserv. [UA-LSO Subscription information]
• SLAMEMBERS: The UA Student Group of the Special Libraries Association also owns a list for their members' discussion and notices named SLAMEMBERS.

The Top Ten Things I Wish I Would Have Known When I Started as a Distance Student by Nikol Price, Class of 2001
For a humorous perspective on life in the virtual classroom.

Further questions regarding our Distance Education program may be directed to the Program Manager.