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Introduction to Distance Learning Opportunities

The School of Information Resources and Library Science has a long history of giving students in different geographic locations an opportunity to earn their ALA-accredited Master of Arts degree, changing delivery modes as technology changes and improves. We have been at the forefront of schools using online teaching environments and today teach "distance-friendly" courses that are all-virtual and those that combine short residencies with virtual learning (hybrid courses).

SIRLS offers one master's degree, the MA with a major in Information Resources and Library Science. Students living at a distance are part of the same program as students living in Tucson, but they take coursework in course delivery modes that are "distance-friendly." See Course Delivery Options for more information about SIRLS courses.

At SIRLS, "distance" students can live in Phoenix, all around Arizona, the west and southwest, and virtually anywhere in the country and the world. We find, too, that students living in Tucson often take virtual or hybrid courses because of the flexibility they provide.

Starting the Program

Effective Winter/Spring 2006, all SIRLS students start the program together in a hybrid class, IRLS 504, Introduction to Library and Information Services, offered three times a year. This class introduces students to SIRLS and graduate study, to the library and information professions, to the foundational concepts needed for success in the program, and also to each other. During the on-campus component of the course, SIRLS students work together and get to know each other in a face-to-face environment, so that when they meet online, they are encountering colleagues and friends. See Starting the Program for more information.

Computer and Technology Requirements

To study at SIRLS, students must have graphical web access and must meet SIRLS computer requirements. Students participate in coursework distributed over the Internet where they utilize a combination of tools. Currently SIRLS, and The University of Arizona, use Desire to Learn (D2L) as the primary online environment, supplemented by other technologies at the discretion of the instructor.

Admission

All students are admitted to SIRLS following the same criteria and using the same process. See Master's Admissions for details about the admissions criteria and process.

Courses

SIRLS teaches courses throughout the year in a variety of delivery modes, many of which are "distance-friendly." We work hard to balance course offerings over instructional sessions and modes of delivery, but inevitably all courses are not available in all instructional sessions or all delivery modes within a calendar year. The 2-year course rotation is a planning document to help students, including those at a distance, to plan their course of study. The 2-year rotation maps courses by type of delivery mode as an aid to distance students.

Effective for students matriculating (admitted and enrolled) after fall 2005, the residency requirement for SIRLS is fulfilled by IRLS 504.

See the master's degree requirements for students matriculating before winter/spring 2006 and the Request to Change Graduation Requirements if applicable.

How Can This Program Work for You?

The Master of Arts, with a major in Information Resources and Library Science, can prepare a student for professional opportunities in a wide variety of environments, including libraries, archives, publishing, the corporate sector, and Internet and other technology companies. The curriculum reflects the diversity of library and information environments in which students will eventually work, the populations they serve, and the disciplines of library and information science augmented by an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge and information.

In addition, SIRLS is proud of its blending of interdisciplinary components. The overall focus of the program is the study of knowledge and information in a variety of social and cultural contexts, including libraries and other information-based organizations and settings. This focus, plus the student-centered environment, makes the programs offered by SIRLS unique. SIRLS works with each student to develop the best program possible. Students are assigned a faculty advisor who will assist them with this intellectual process, as can the academic advising coordinator. The program coordinator 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.

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 Administrative Associate, Geraldine Fragoso, at sirls@email.arizona.edu.